Daily Archives: Dec 20, 2012

NTI Spends N11.5 Bn On Teacher Training, Says DG

The National Teachers' Institute (NTI) on Thursday in Kaduna said it had spent N11.5 billion on the training of 425,000 teachers in the last four years.

The Director General of the institute, Dr Ladan Sharehu said this at a press briefing ahead of the flag-off of the Annual Nationwide Capacity Workshop for Teachers.

Sharehu said the programme, financed by the MDGs, was for the training of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in the four co-subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Sharehu as saying that N3.5 billion was spent in 2009 to train 120,000 teachers, N4 billion in 2010 to train 140,000 teachers and N2 billion used in 2011 on the training of 125, 000.

He said the current programme would involve 40,000 teachers spread across 109 centres in the country.

According to him, N1.9 billion will be spent on the procurement of training manuals, logistics and allowances for participants.

`` For this year the training of 40,000 teachers is going on in 109 centres in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT and will cover Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).``

Sharehu said the NTI had introduced new courses on special educational needs for persons with disabilities and  HIV/AIDs awareness.

``The introduction of these components was meant to ensure all-inclusiveness in our educational system as well as to educate the Nigerian citizens through teacher training about the dangers of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

`` The Institute intends to continue to explore other areas that will assist the Nigerian teachers to discharge their duties diligently.''

The Director General assured that all unsettled training allowances for teachers in 2011 would be paid in 2013 `` as soon as the appropriation is approved''.

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NPS Decries Discrimination Against Ex-Convicts

The Controller General of Nigerian Prisons, Mr  Zakari Ohinoyi, on Thursday criticised the discriminatory acts against ex-convicts in the country.

Ohinoyi said this at the Imo Prisons Inmates Day, tagged ``The Forgotten People'', which the Nigerian Prison Service jointly organised with the International Prison Chaplain Association of Nigeria (IPCA).

Represented by his deputy Mr Hassan Labo, the controller said discriminating against ex-convicts negated the reformation reason for their incarceration.

``The aim of jailing these people is to reform them, after which they are released back into the society to continue their lives as law abiding citizens.

``When society shuns them and people refuse to employ them because of the stigma of having once been in jail, they turn back to crime and the vicious cycle continues.

``This sabotages our efforts at reforming these prisoners," he said, while urging the people to assist the prisons service to improve the welfare of inmates.

On congestion in prisons, the he said that some of the inmates had remained in detention because of their inability to pay fines.

``Some of the inmates languishing in these prisons are here because they cannot afford to take the option of fine, which may even be as little as N10,000.

``Those cases should be looked into so that these people can be released and the prisons decongested.’’

Ohinoyi presented sewing machines, irons, hair dryers, generators, carpentry and masonry equipment, to some former inmates to enable them to start up businesses.

The Imo Controller of Prisons, Mr Greg Adimfono, also called for the rehabilitation of remand homes for underage offenders.

He said this would help in their reformation as having them in the same facilities with hardened offenders would influence them negatively.

The Commandant-General of IPCA, Rev. Amaeze Ogbonna, said the association would start a rehabilitation programme to teach skills to former inmates.

 

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Police Arraign A Director In Ministry Of Foreign Affairs For Alleged N1.5m Fraud

The Police on Thursday arraigned a Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uche Okeke, before an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N1.53 million from one Mrs Angela Edimanichukwu.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Atteh Effiong, told the court that the complainant's husband, Mr Emmanuel Edimanichukwu, petitioned the Police Command in the FCT on March 6.

Effiong told the court that the accused ``prevented, deceived and collected the said amount from Mrs Edimanichukwu, on the pretext of buying her some shops at the Wuse Market.

He said that the accused failed to fulfil her promise and converted the money to her personal use.

The prosecutor said the accused committed the offence of criminal breach of trust and cheating, contrary to the provisions of Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecutor prayed the court not to grant the accused bail.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Giles Ugwunweze, prayed the court to discountenance the statement of the prosecutor, saying that the offence committed by the accused was bailable.

Ugwunweze said his client was a director in a ministry and would not jump bail.

In her ruling, Magistrate Vera Tokura granted the accused bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety in like sum.

She said the surety, who must be a civil servant, must live within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case to Jan. 16, 2013 for hearing.

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Yakowa Buried At His Country Home

The remains of former Governor of Kaduna State Patrick Yakowa were buried at his country home at Fadan Kagoma  on Thursday.

Yakowa died on Saturday, Dec. 15,  in a helicopter crash at Nembe Local government Area of Bayelsa along with five others, including former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi.

In a tribute at the burial service held at St Paul Catholic Church, President Jonathan eulogised Yakowa describing him as a ``bridge builder’’ who loved his people irrespective of their religion and tribe.

He described Dec. 15 as a ``dark Saturday’’

``Yakowa was a nationalist. He played his roles very well as a civil servant of the old not as a civil service of today when a director has more houses than Dangote.

```No ethnic or religious divide in his blood," he said.

The president pledged the continued support of the government to the immediate family of the deceased.

He also appealed to leaders to guard their utterance in public and in private against those things that could divide and destroy the nation.

He urged the senior citizens to  emphasise those things that unite the nation instead of the issues that can divide the country.

``Utterances and words of elders are just like winds and waves that move, gather momentum and cause destructive effects of which the end results of such destruction cannot be predicted.

``Responses of our young men and women are reflections of what the elders talk in public and even in private,’’ he said..

Earlier in a message, Rev. Mathew Kukah, said no one could neither teach God knowledge nor question his decisions; therefore people should not feel despondent over the death of Yakowa.

He said the deceased died at his appointed time by God and urged the people to ignore those who are wielding suspicious story about his death

He debunked the purported claim that a section of religious divide in the State was rejoicing over the death of Yakowa.

He noted that former head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, a devout Muslim, cancelled his 70th birthday in honour of Yakowa.

He said the deceased made his marks as the first child from the Christian dominated southern part of Kaduna to attain the top position at various levels of government.

Kukah said Yakowa also broke the jinx by becoming the first Christian executive governor of Kaduna.

He said the feat had seemed unattainable in the state because of certain interests who were playing politics of exclusion based on religion.

Kukah said the achievements of Yakowa as governor, particularly in development and in building bridges of unity, were testimonies to the fact that governance was not an exclusive right of a group.

Kukah inspired the youths from southern Kaduna to emulate the good traits of Yakowa and be confident in themselves that they could achieve lofty positions in the state and beyond.

He urged them not to surrender to doubts and feelings of inferiority.

He also called on Yakowa's successor, Governor Ramalan Yero, to ignore the parochial opinion of some people who were still advocating politics of exclusion in the State

``Do not be tempted by what the wicked people claimed: that the Muslims have taken back what belong to them.

``The politics of exclusion should be reversed for a creation of a just and even society.

``This is what South Africa and America had realised and done.

``We must seek men and women of integrity for position of authority as oppose to religious sentimentality.

``We must rise up to build a united Nigerian," he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cardinal John Onaiyekan, assisted by other Clergy conducted the  Requiem and the Eucharist Mass.

Among the dignitaries at the burial were, former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

The Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and his wife, Judith, Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Oluegun Mimiko, Ondo were also in attendance

Also in attendance were Deputy Governors James Ngilari of Adamawa, Peter Kishira of Kwara, Abubakar Aliyu of Yobe, Umar Mustapha of Borno and Damishi Lucas of Nasarawa.

The National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, his predecessors, Chief Solomon Lar,  Chief Audu Ogbe, Alhaji Amadu Ali as well as  Prof Jerry Gana, were also in attendance.

Also in attendance were ministers, the national Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki and some aides of the President.

NAN recalls that apart from Yakowa and Owoye-Azazi, their aides and crew, were killed in the crash while returning from the burial of the father  Dr Oronto Douglas, the Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy,

The deceased aides were  Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal as well as  the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. AdeyemiO. Sowole

Born on Dec. 1 1948, Yakowa was appointed Deputy Governor of Kaduna State in July 2005, and returned as deputy governor in the April 2007 elections.

He was sworn in as Governor on May 20, 2010, replacing former governor Namadi  Sambo who had been sworn in as Vice President the day before.

Yakowa successfully ran for election as Kaduna Governor in the 26 April 2011 polls.

 

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Minister Tasks Media On FOI Act

Mr Edem Duke, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, on Thursday called on the Nigerian media to disseminate accurate information in their bid to inform the public.

Duke spoke in Abuja at a two-day workshop organised for the National Orientation Agency (NOA) state directors and programme officers.

The workshop on the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, was meant to train the directors on how to sensitise the public on its use in their local languages.

He urged the media to look inward in their effort to give out information, stressing that the media needed to ensure that nothing, but the truth was provided while informing the public.

The minister said that as a public servant he believed in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and supported its full implementation.

He said that the act would achieve its aim, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan's administration was poised to conduct itself in the most transparent manner.

Edem said that not many Nigerians would be able to discuss the content and import of the Act and its relevance to the citizens.

He adviced the agency to take the ``bull by the horn'' to ensure its staff members were trained to enlighten other Nigerians.

``I appreciate the efforts of the agency in promoting an enlightened society, which is necessary for the growth and positive development of the Nigerian economy,’’ he said.

The inaugural FOI Act training by the agency for its director and programme officer’s involved those from the Northern states.

The second stage of the training had been slated for Jan. 11 to Jan.12, 2013 for states from the Southern part of the country.

Mr Mike Omeri, the Director-General of the agency, said that the training was significant to the agency as it marked the relationship between the agency and democracy.

He said that the agency was poised to take the FOI Act to all nooks and crannies of the country for the growth of democracy.

Omeri said that the agency would expand its scope in spreading the message in the local languages so that people could comprehend the significant of the Act.

The NOA boss said the Act was not restricted for the use of journalist, stressing that all Nigerians were entitled to the FOI Act .

NAN reports that some media executives were present at the training to enlighten the people on the importance of the FOI Act.

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Police Arraign 50-year-old Man For N1.6m Visa Fraud

The Police on Thursday in Lagos docked a 50-year-old man, Thanni Ganiyu before a Tinubu Magistrates' Court for fraudulently collecting N1. 6 million, as visa fees from Taye Atanda Buari and Nimota Balogun.

Ganiyu, who resides at No. 12, Idi St., Lagos Island ,is facing a one-count charge of illegal conversion of property.

The Police prosecutor, ASP A.C. Orji told the court that the accused committed the crime between Feb. and Aug.

``Ganiyu claimed to be a travel agent and collected the sum of N1.2 million from Buari and another N450, 000 from Balogun.

``He promised to procure visas to travel to Mecca for them, so that they could perform the Hajj," he said.

Orji said that that the accused then absconded with the money and all efforts made by the complainants to get back their money from him did not yield results.

He said the offence contravened section 312 (1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

After taking his plea, the magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi granted him bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to Jan. 22 for mention. (NAN)

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Awolowo Leadership Award: Amosun Congratulates Soyinka

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for emerging the first recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

The governor said In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media,  Mrs Funmi Wakama, in Abeokuta on Thursday that Soyinka deserved the award.

He described Soyinka as an “embodiment of integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, among others.

“Soyinka has spent his entire adult life leading the crusade for a just and united society, founded on the sanctity of the rule of law and press freedom.

"He has continued to use the arts as a tool of social re-engineering,” the  governor said.

Amosun also congratulated the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation for instituting the prestigious biennial national award.

He said that his administration would continue to follow the footsteps of  Awolowo, who was the Premier of the defunct Western Region.

“With the single-minded commitment with which we are pursuing our mission to rebuild Ogun, the landmark development witnessed in the old Western Region is now within our reach and attainment in our dear state,” he said.

He wished Soyinka many more years of meritorious service to the nation. (NAN)

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Kogi Govt. To Domesticate Child Rights Act Soon – Commissioner

The Kogi Government says it will soon domesticate the Child Rights Act to enhance its application for proper upbringing of children.

Mrs Patience Mameh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that government had put in place measures that would popularise the Act.

She said that the upbringing of children should be premised on their guaranteed fundamental rights to check abuse and traumatising of children.

Mameh said that it was against this backdrop that the ministry recently held its maiden sitting of the "Children's Parliament" to develop skills for good governance and responsible citizenship among the children.

She said that among resolutions reached at the sitting was the need for government to urgently direct the appropriate ministry to commence formation and inauguration of the Local Government Child Rights Law implementation committees.

It was also resolved that the Education and Women Affairs Ministries should collaborate and include sex education in primary and secondary schools' curricula.

The commissioner commended the Transformation Agenda of Gov. Idris Wada, and said that it was gender sensitive.

Mameh also commended the states' Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, for his promise to inaugurate the pilot scheme of "Family Court" in Ankpa, Idah, Anyigba, Kabba, Lokoja and Okene.

She also lauded the creation of the Child Protection Network under the office of the First Lady of the state, Hajiya Halima Wada and said that women and children now had a voice in Kogi. (NAN)

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Gunmen Bomb Police Station, Abduct Frenchman In Katsina

Gunmen have bombed a police station and kidnapped a Frenchman, Mr Francis Colump in Rimi Local Government area of Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two people were Killed and a mobile policeman injured in the attack, which occurred at about 10 p.m on Wednesday.

Those who died are Rabe Dan’Unguwa (45), a security man at the residence of Colump, and one Abubakar Sale (25), a passer bye.

The abducted Frenchman works with S. A. Vergnet France, the firm handling the contract for the 10 megawatt wind mill power project in Rimi.

An eyewitness told NAN on Thursday in Rimi, that the attack on the station and the residence of Colump was carried out simultaneously by about 30 gunmen, who divided themselves into two groups. 

According to him, the attackers arrived the town in three vehicles and began shooting before setting off the bomb which badly damaged the station but recorded no casualty.

The mobile police man was injured in the attack on the Frenchman's residence. 

It was gathered that as soon as they shot the trio, the gunmen forced themselves into the residence and abducted the Frenchman. 

When the NAN correspondent visited the town, the residents including the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Alhaji Nasiru Ala were conducting the burial rites of the two persons killed in the attack. 

Ala who described the incident as “tragic”, prayed God to expose those involved in the act. 

When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji confirmed the incident, saying that the gunmen used a gas cylinder to bomb the police station. 

 “Their purpose was to kidnap the expatriate, Mr Colump, but they attacked the police station to divert attention.” 

Magaji said two civilians were killed while the mobile policeman injured in the attack was receiving treatment at a hospital in Katsina. 

``One gun belonging to the hoodlums was recovered and we are going to pursue them.” (NAN)

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CPC To Conduct Membership Bio-metric Registration

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has concluded plans to conduct membership data registration early next year as part of the initiatives to ascertain its strength nationwide.

The CPC National Financial Secretary, Mr Folorunso Longe, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

According to him, the bio-metric data will help the party to have an authentic data of its members and to discover any forms of rigging during its primaries.

The financial secretary said the measure would go a long way in assisting the party during the process of merger with other political parties.

In another development, the CPC Deputy National Secretary, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, said that All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had officially indicated its interest to merge with the CPC.

``In this regard, ANPP, one of the strong opposition parties, has written to us and given us the names of its members, who will participate in the merger committee that will discuss with us.

``We are going to reciprocate to this gesture, we are very happy that ANPP, one of the major political parties in the country, has reached out to us,” he said.

Obono-Obla urged other opposition parties to key in to what ANPP had done, pointing out that none of the opposition parties could do it alone to defeat the ruling party.

He said that CPC had resolved to organise a political summit of all the opposition parties to come together to form a formidable position on the proposed constitution amendment.

``We need to form a common front on powers of INEC, on the conduct of elections. We are thinking that elections should not be staggered.

``One of the factors that is responsible for chaos during general elections is the staggering of elections.

``We are thinking that we should make a proposal for constitutional amendment so that elections to the positions of president,  governors, and the National Assembly among others should hold on the same day,'' he said. (NAN)

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Gov. Aliyu Berates Those Who Celebrated Yakowa’s Death

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger has chided those Nigerians  reported to have celebrated  the death of late Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, describing them as ``inhuman''.

Aliyu made the remark while receiving the Speaker of Niger House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Usman who led other members of the Assembly to pay a condolence visit on him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit on Aliyu was with regard to his position as chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum.

``No matter the religion one professes, the simple tenet is that we should sympathise with the dead and the bereaved and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed whose death is a colossal loss,’’ the governor said.

He described as unreligious and inhuman the Nigerians reported to have through the social media rejoiced over the death of the former governor..

``Immediately we start praying for our leaders to die, then we are asking that the whole society should die. We must pray for our leaders. We must go back to our faith and practise our religion as demanded by the almighty Allah.

``We must talk to our children. We must be involved in the moral and religious education of our children. This development shows that we are failing in the duty to train our children,’’ Aliyu said.

He described late Yakowa as a bridge-builder who brought Muslims and Christians in Kaduna state together, saying the late governor provided peace and tranquillity.

Earlier, Usman had said the legislators were impressed with the humility the late governor displayed throughout his lifetime which endeared him to a large number of Nigerians.

He said Speakers in the Northern part of the country received the news with great shock but were consoled that the deceased had left an indelible mark in the sand of times. (NAN)

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