Alleged torture: Journalist seeks NUJ’s help to tackle LASPOTECH

Deji Lambo

A journalist, Folake Sokoya, has petitioned the Lagos council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists over alleged torture by security guards at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.

Sokoya, whose battle with the Lagos State’s owned institution had been in public space for a while, said she had been denied justice by appropriate government agencies.

She noted that the institution had manipulated the narrative in its favour, hence the need for the state NUJ to come to her aid.

The 40-year-old alleged that she and her son, Boluwatife Olowu, were manhandled by security guards at the school.

Olowu, a National Diploma student in the Hospitality Management Technology Department of the school, was reportedly seized by the guards for wearing earrings on the school’s premises.

He was said to have been brutalised before Sokoya showed up and challenged the guards for assaulting her son.

The freelance journalist said she was also beaten up, adding that she reported the case at the Sagamu Road Police Station.

Sokoya explained that her past experience from almost losing her son to kidnappers prompted her to visit the school when she was informed about the incident.

She said, “My son was abducted by some ritual killers on June 11, 2017; it took the grace of God to find him after four days. So, when he called to tell me that he had been arrested, I was scared. I quickly informed the police and the 174 battalion commandant before rushing out.

“I also called some of his classmates to know his whereabouts; one of them, Ajibola, told me that she saw him when the security guards were beating him up.

“I got back to the commandant and he told me to ask for the Chief Security Officer of the school. I saw my son seated on the floor when I got to the security unit. Immediately they knew I was there because of him, they refused to give me the CSO’s phone number, so I had to leave with my son. We were about three blocks away before my son identified two security officers and showed me the one who beat him up. I was surprised when they accosted him again and wanted to take him back to the unit.

“I challenged them as a mother and they pushed me out of the way. I held one of them. The other guard tried to remove my hand and in the process his clothes got torn. The guard became annoyed and punched me on the face and head butted me until I passed out.

“They dragged me into their office and injured me. I was admitted to a hospital for about three weeks. The police told me that they could not arrest them because it was a school matter.

 “I want justice; I have spent a lot on medical bills. They stole my son’s gold chain; they also spoiled his phones.”

Punch 

Train kills motorcyclist, passengers at PWD in Lagos

A moving train on Wednesday killed a motorcyclist and his passenger at the PWD level crossing along Ikeja-Oshodi route of the railway line.
Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Manager of Nigeria Railway Corporation, confirmed the incident to theNews Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Oche said that the incident, which happened in the morning, involved an Ijoko-Apapa train at the level crossing where the motorcyclist refused to stop for the moving train.

“We have warned passersby, motorists and other road users to stay away from railway tracks.


“Railway track is a very dangerous place to toy with; everything involved is iron both the rail tracks and the train itself.
“I learnt that he was trying to outsmart the train before he was crushed by the moving train.

“It’s an unfortunate incident.
“We are appealing to people to learn from such incident and exercise patience at the railway level crossings across the state,” he said.

The district manager said that the remains of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary, while the police were working towards contacting the family of the victims.

(NAN)

BREAKING: FG Suspends Planned National Carrier, Nigeria Air

Channels Television  

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed new National Carrier, Nigeria Air.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Serika, made the announcement on Wednesday through his Twitter handle.

“I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim.

“All commitments due will be honoured.

“We thank the public for the support as always”.

I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) September 19, 2018

He, however, gave no reason for the decision.

 The Federal Government’s decision to suspend a new national carrier follows its unveiling two months ago.

During its unveiling on July 18, the minister said the national carrier will be private sector driven and not a “social service”.

According to him, the Federal Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier.

Serika explained that the airline will create economic and job opportunities.

“We want to use this new private-sector-led airline to make a statement that, ‘Yes, Nigeria can do it!’ and we also want to promote our cultures and traditions. It will also create economic opportunities and jobs.”

I will contest Lagos gov election –Jimi Agbaje

Jimi Agbaje

Mr Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday ended speculations about his re-run bid, saying he was back in the race.

Agbaje made the confirmation via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Lagos.

“It is true that initially I did not want to re-contest, but I had so many people urging me to run.

“I bought and submitted my nomination form shortly before it closed. I will be part of the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, billed for Friday, September 28th, “ he said.

Agbaje said that he was confident he would win the elections in Lagos state, if he picked the PDP guber ticket to run.

On the upcoming primaries, Agbaje said he was confident that the leadership would create a level playing ground for all the aspirants, as has been the norm of the party.

“Our primaries have always been open, fair and free for all.

“This is what we are known for, and that is the way I expect it to be,” he said.

Agbaje, who also contested for the National Chairmanship of the PDP in 2017, won by Uche Secondus, said that the recent defections from the party in the state would not affect him if he picked the ticket.

“It is the people of Lagos State that will decide. The issues in the party will not impart negatively on votes.

“Most Nigerians now vote for individuals rather than party,” he said.

NAN reports that Agbaje, popularly known as JK, was born March 2, 1957 in Lagos State to late Chief Julius Kosebinu (Banker) and Mrs. Margaret Olabisi (teacher).

(NAN)

WAEC confirms Adeleke sat for 1981 exams, shows candidate had F9 in English

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja
The West African Examinations Council has confirmed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Bwari, Abuja that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, sat for its examination in 1981.

WAEC stated this in a court filing which it made in compliance with an order issued by Justice Othman Musa on September 11.

In the results attached to the documents filed by WAEC, Adeleke was listed as number 149 out of the 221 candidates that sat for the May/June 1981 examinations of the Council at Ede Muslim High School in Ede, Osun State.

The results showed that he sat for only English Language in which he had F9.
He did not sit for other registered subjects which included Mathematics,  Literature in English, Islamic Knowledge and Geography.


He also did not sit for Economics and Biology.

Justice had directed WAEC to produce Adeleke’s results in a ruling on an ex parte application by two plaintiffs, Mr. Wahab Raheem and Mr. Adam Habeeb.

Justice Musa had in the ruling specifically ordered the examination body to produce in court the ledger containing results of Ademola and his mates with whom he sat for the examinations.

He also ordered WAEC to swear to an affidavit either denying or confirming that Adeleke, an incumbent senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in the Senate, sat for the Council’s May/June 1981 examinations conducted by the Council at Ede Muslim High School in Ede, Osun State.


The court ordered that WAEC should file the ledger and the verifying affidavits within five days of being served with the enrolled order.

Punch

APC shift Primaries to September 25

The Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress earlier scheduled for Thursday, 20th September will now take place on Tuesday, 25th September, the party has said.

A statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibediro also announced the shift in date of all other primary elections from the earlier date, with the governorship primary now scheduled to take place four day after the presidential primary on 29th September.

Similarly, the senate and House of Representatives primary will now take place on 2nd and 3rd October, while the state houses of Assembly primary will now take place on 4th October.

The National Convention of the party to affirm the party’s Presidential candidate is expected to hold on 6th October as earlier scheduled.



No explanation was offered for the shift in date of the primaries, but The Nation can report that screening of aspirants was yet to begin as at the time of this report as no committee has been inaugurated to handle the screening.

Also, the party was yet to name Committee to conduct the primaries.

It was gathered that the National Working Committee of the party was working round the clock to avoid major crisis after the conduct of party primaries.

Most states of the Federation are sharply divided over the mode of primary to adopt for the conduct of party primaries with some stakeholders pushing for direct primaries, while others are insisting on the use of direct primaries.

The Nation

Farmer bags six months for stealing 13 crates of eggs

A 28-year-old farmer, Amisu Bello, is to serve six months in prison after a Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger, convicted him of stealing 13 crates of eggs.
Bello was docked alongside one Shefiu Yahaya on a two-count of theft and receiving stolen property, contrary to Sections 288 and 317 of the Penal Code Law.

The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ogiri, had told the court that one Isa Azeez, the Manager of IK Farms, Gidan Mangoro, Minna, reported the matter at the Kpakungu Police Station on Sept. 17.

Ogiri said that Bello went to IK farm and stole 13 crates of eggs and when he was arrested, he confessed to having previously stolen 12 crates on five different occasions.

He also said that police investigation revealed that Bello was in the habit of selling the eggs to Yahaya, the second accused person.
When the charges were read to them, Bello pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency while Yahaya pleaded not guilty.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Ramatu Adamu, sentenced Bello to six months in prison with an option of a fine of N10, 000.
Adamu also ordered him to pay N17, 000 to the complainant as compensation.

He, however, discharged and acquitted Yahaya of any wrongdoing after establishing the fact that he bought the eggs at their market value without the knowledge that they were stolen.


(NAN)

Cultists allegedly kill final year medical student, nine others during graduation party

A final year medical student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, simply identified as Dr Einstein, alongside nine others were allegedly killed by cultists on Tuesday.

It was reported that the deaths resulted from a fight between two men at the venue of the graduation party of the students at Judges quarters in Ekpoma.

However, as other people attempted to stop the fight, one of the men, said his clothes had been torn by the peacemakers and he promised to make them pay for it.


It was reported that he left and later returned with his friends. They were all allegedly armed with guns. The angry man searched for the man, he had been fighting with earlier and on sighting him, he and his friends shot him and those, who had tried to make peace between them.

According to reports, about 10 people were killed, including Dr. Einstein, a final year medical student who would have been graduating next week.

Other casualties include one Ose Abulu, his girlfriend and Jerry Omobude, who was an engineering student of the institution.

Punch

Police arrest suspected bank robber, arms keeper

Samson Folarin

The Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team has arrested a suspected bank robber, Olatunde Adetunji, in the Isolo area of Lagos State.

A trader, Bashirat Akinmushire, aka Area Mother, who allegedly kept weapons for Adetunji and his gang members, was also arrested by the police team.

Both Adetunji and Akinmushire were said to be members of the Eiye Confraternity.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the gang specialised in robbing bank customers in the Ikeja and Isolo areas.

The suspects were alleged to have recently attacked and dispossessed a woman on her way to depositing money in a bank at Opebi, Ikeja.

Adetunji was reportedly arrested a few days later when the woman allegedly sighted him on Toyin Street, Ikeja.

She was reported to have raised the alarm as operatives of the IRT, who raced to the scene, apprehended the 31-year-old.

The suspect, during interrogation by the police, allegedly confessed that members of his gang usually carried out robberies and cult killings in the Ikeja and Isolo areas.

Adetunji also allegedly said the guns they used during operations were kept with Akinmushire.

A police source told our correspondent that the suspect led detectives to a market on Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Isolo, where Akinmushire was arrested.

However, the trader reportedly claimed to have passed the weapons to another member of the gang, identified only as Junior, aka Jungle.

“When she was asked to take the operatives to Junior’s house so he could be arrested and the weapons recovered, she misled the policemen and took them to a wrong location, where she also attempted to escape.

“She ran into a ditch in the process and sustained serious injuries, which made the policemen to stop their search and take her to a hospital,” the source said.

The whereabouts of Junior had yet to be known.

Adetunji said his gang usually paid Akinmushire N5,000 to keep weapons for them.

He said, “I am a member of the Eiye Confraternity and I joined the cult while at a university in Ogun State. When I dropped out, I came back home to join members of my cult on Jakanda Estate and I discovered that they had already procured an AK-47 rifle and a revolver pistol.

“They told me that they bought the guns from a soldier and they usually kept them at Area Mama’s shop, who is also a member of our cult. She normally hides the guns at the back of her shop where she sells pepper and tomatoes.

“She covers the guns with baskets and sacks. We have used the guns for several operations and we used to give her N5,000 after every successful operation. But the main thing we do with the guns is to fight our opponents, who are rival cult members.”

Akinmushire, in her statement to the police, said the gang forced her to keep the weapons because she was a member of their.

The mother of three said she did not know what the gang did with the guns.

She said, “Sometime in February 2016, Olatunde (Adetunji), Junior, and their friend started brining oneGhana-must-go bag containing some items which I did not know the content, to my shop. They usually bring the bag for me to keep for them.

“Initially, I did not know the content, but I asked them what was in the bag and they told me. They said I should not disclose it to anybody. Each time they came to pick the bag, they gave me N5,000 or more. I asked them what they were using the guns for, but they said it was none of my business.

“I know Olatunde and his friend belong to Eiye cult. I also belong to the same cult. But the guns in question are with Junior and their gang members and the reason I did not inform the estate management or security agencies was that they threatened me that if any third party got to know, they would kill me. I have never gone with them for any operation; I only keep their guns for them.”

Policemen brutalise LASTMA officials, vandalise car over cop’s arrest

Samson Folarin

Pandemonium broke out in the Idiroko end of Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, on Tuesday after two policemen attached to a bank in the area reportedly unleashed terror on two officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

The traffic officers were allegedly beaten up for arresting a mobile policeman, who had reportedly violated the state traffic law.

PUNCH Metro learnt that trouble started when the mopol, who was in a KIA vehicle with number plate, GW 113 AAA, allegedly drove through the reserved Bus Rapid Transport lane.

He was reportedly blocked by the LASTMA officials, who were in a branded KIA, with number plate, RTN 198 LA.

The policeman’s car key was allegedly seized by the traffic officials, who insisted he would face the consequence of his action.

In the ensuing argument, the two policemen who came from a bank opposite the scene, allegedly beat up the officials, vandalised their vehicle and aided the escape of the cop.

A clip of the incident, which went viral on the social media on Tuesday, showed the moment the armed policemen kicked and punched one of the LASTMA officers.

A man, who identified himself only as Jerry, said the mopol caused a traffic jam on the BRT lane while resisting arrest.

He said, “The incident happened around 9.30am. The motorist wore a police shirt which had mopol on it. He was coming from Maryland en route to Anthony and took the BRT lane. He was blocked by a LASTMA vehicle at Idi iroko.

“The man refused to drive out of the lane after a LASTMA officer entered his car. Before we knew it, two other policemen crossed over from a First Bank branch opposite the scene. They beat up the LASTMA officials and demanded the key of the man’s car.

“When they did not get the key, they attacked every LASTMA officer in sight until they got the key. They broke the glass of the LASTMA KIA that was used to block the car with the butt of their guns.

“After they succeeded, they opened the LASTMA car and pushed it to the expressway. The mopol then escaped, while they ran back to their duty post.”

PUNCH Metro obtained another clip of the incident showing the mopol saying the officials “scattered” his car.

“If you arrest me, must you scatter my car? Why will you scatter my car?” he queried.

Our correspondent learnt that two hoodlums, who allegedly joined in aiding the escape of the policeman, were arrested and arraigned before a mobile court.

The men were reportedly remanded in prison.

The Public Affairs Officer of LASTMA, Mahmud Hassan, expressed disappointment in the conduct of the cops.

He said, “Our men were on their lawful duties on the Ikorodu Road, manning the BRT corridor, when the motorist was seen driving on the BRT lane.

“When accosted by our men, he said nobody could stop him from driving on the BRT lane. At that point, our men told him that he was not above the law. The motorist started making trouble with our men.

“When the policemen manning the bank opposite the scene of the incident saw him, they crossed the road and in a bid to free the man from the hands of the law, they descended on our men. They beat up our men black and blue, tore their uniforms and damaged our vehicle. They chased our men away and used force to take the vehicle from the BRT lane. The injured officers are receiving treatment as I speak.

“We are disappointed that men trained to enforce the law of the state are the ones circumventing the law and turning around to beat those they should be supporting. It is a low point for those involved. I don’t know how they would be proud of their action. They should look at themselves in the mirror and ask if they have lived up to the expectation of their profession.

“While we will continue to count on the support and cooperation of the police hierarchy, the action of those officers has done a great damage; it happened in the full glare of the public on the busy Ikorodu Road.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, had ordered an investigation into the incident.

Osun must remain APC state, says Buhari

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the electorate in Osun State to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, in the election coming up on Saturday.

Buhari, who stormed the Osogbo City Stadium on Tuesday to solicit for votes for the APC candidate, urged the people of the state to support Oyetola. He also tasked the electorate to prevent corrupt politicians from coming to power in the state.

The President lauded the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola which has been in power for the past eight years, saying his performance had given the party the reason to celebrate and to be hopeful that the party’s candidate in the poll would emerge victorious.

Buhari described the governorship candidate of the party as the right man for the job while urging the electorate to vote Oyetola in order to continue with the development witnessed under the Aregbesola’s administration.

Buhari said, “Today, we are here to celebrate the past. On Saturday, your love and friendliness are clear for us to see. Some years ago, I was here with so many of you to get support for Governor Aregbesola for a second term. I was in Osun in 2015 for the presidential campaign.  I returned in October 2016 to commission Osogbo Government High School, one of the 11 mega schools constructed by Aregbesola.

“We are here to thank the Almighty God for the successful eight years of APC government in this state under the leadership of Rauf Aregbesola. We are also here to pray Almighty God to save us and consolidate on this through Gboyega Oyetola.

I’ll turn around Nigeria’s economy in two years –David Mark

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator David Mark,  has promised to turn around the economy of the country within two years if elected President of Nigeria in the 2019 general elections.

Mark, a former Senate President, made the promise on Tuesday at the PDP secretariat in Lokoja while on a campaign visit to solicit votes of the state delegates to the presidential primaries in October.

He pledged to do many things differently to revamp the economy saying, “a lot of research had been done on the economy and if given the chance, he would bring them to bear and turn around things.’’

Economic growth under his watch, he said, would experience tremendous change within 700 days, which would be physical rather than based on paper statistics.

He said, “I will do so many things differently. When we put our processes in, the woman who is selling groundnuts by the roadside will feel the impact.

“It is not by mere statistics or indices that we churn out. We want the ordinary people on the streets to feel the impact of the economy on their lives.

“We have young men and women who are neck dip into research and understand the economy of this country.”

On his acceptance by the electorate in the core northern part of the country, Mark said he had equally worked for candidates from the core north and that now it was their turn to support him.

“I think the core north should support us because we also have supported the core north. It is a give and take thing and we are talking about Nigeria.

“We are not talking about a section of this country. If I don’t have a national support, to be honest with you, I would not want to be a President of this country.

“I want to be President of a united and indivisible country called Nigeria. Call it core north, core south or core whatever, wherever they are, let them support me because we too have supported them,” he said.

On consensus candidate, the former Senate President said that would be left for the aspirants and the party to decide.

“Whatever we do, the most important thing is that whoever emerges should emerge through a process that is fair, transparent and credible; whether it is by consensus or by primaries,” he said

Punch 

How Obasanjo ran NNPC as one-man business for 8 years’

‘
A new book has told of how ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo ran the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as a “sole administrator” for the eight years he led the country. 

Former president Olusengun Obasanjo According to the book, entitled, ‘Too Good to Die: Third Term and the Myth of the Indispensable Man in Africa,’ the former President, while serving as Minister of Petroleum Resources, never discussed activities of the corporation with government officials until his last days in office. 

Obasanjo, who was President from 1999 to 2007, made himself the minister overseeing the nation’s petroleum sector until January 2007 when he relinquished that position. 

The only official Obasanjo had in a similar capacity was Edmund Daukoru, his presidential adviser on petroleum and energy, whom he later made Minister of State for Petroleum Resources in 2005. 

In the book, the authors, former chairman of National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, and author of ‘Love Does Not Win Elections’, Ayisha Osori, said Obasanjo was “ultimately responsible for all the decisions made affecting the petroleum sector.” They told of how he secured approval for all his dealings as petroleum minister in one fell swoop, during one of the last Federal Executive Council meetings. 

The authors wrote: “In one of the last working sessions of the cabinet in May, 2007, Obasanjo required cabinet to give retrospective approval to all the measures he had taken over the eight years in which he acted as sole administrator of Nigeria’s oil industry. “Cabinet duly obliged him after recording Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s objection.  For this purpose, each minister received his share of the documents they were required to approve in a Ghana-must-go bag.

Vanguard 

SPORTS: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES: MATCH DAY 1

Tuesday 18th Sept 2018

Inter Milan VS  Tottenham

Barcelona VS PSV

Monaco VS Atletico Madrid

Club Brugge VS Borussia Dortmund

 FK Red Star Belgrade VS Napoli

Liverpool VS PSG

Schalke VS FC Porto

Galatasaray VS FC Lokomotiv Moscow

Adebola Shabi: Cleaner Lagos Initiative Aimed to Reduce Waste Pollution

Adebola Shabi, the Special Adviser Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Cleaner Lagos Initiative, on Friday said the aim of the initiative was to reduce waste pollution in the state.

Shabi made the disclosure at the sensitisation programme on: “Proper Waste Disposal Adherence to Environmental Laws,” organised by Badagry Local Government and the CLI in Badagry, Lagos State.

He said the CLI idea was to invite experts who would be able to manage the waste in order to have good waste management system in the state.

He said: “What we had before was a situation in which Private Sector Participant operators collected waste from the residents and dumped it.

“It is now the responsibility of the Lagos State Government to manage it.

“When you dump waste in a dump site without proper management, it becomes hazardous to people’s health.”

Shabi said the Olusosun dump site was shut down because of public health, safety and environmental degradation it had caused in the past years.

He said: “We have reopened Abule-Egba dump site temporarily, pending the time engineered Landfill site will be ready in Epe.

“There is a plan to build other landfills in Badagry and Ikorodu.

“With the coming up of the Epe sanitary landfill, all dumpsites such as the one in the city centre, which are major sources of air and underground water pollution, have been closed to refuse disposal.”

Shabi commended the residents of the coastal town for maintaining a clean environment.

According to him: “This is the only town visited by our team that we did not find waste in your streets.”

In his remarks, Olusegun Onilude, the Chairman, Badagry Local Government, commended the state government for the initiative.

The chairman, represented by Kamorudeen Ajape, the Secretary to the council, said the initiative had impacted greatly on people of the town.

Onilude said a clean environment would result to a healthy society.

People from different communities in Badagry, including the young, old, market women and men attended the programme.

Ronaldo To Break Scoring Duck Against Sassuolo

Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to break his scoring duck Sunday against Sassuolo, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted as he backed the Portuguese star to win the FIFA world player of the year award.

Ronaldo skipped Portugal’s Nations League win over Italy to focus on his new club after failing to score in their opening three Serie A games.

“Cristiano worked well and I think tomorrow he will score and break the ice,” Allegri told a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against second-placed Sassuolo.

“I don’t expect Ronaldo to do more or less than what he did in the first three games, everyone was waiting for Ronaldo and he set up (Mario) Mandzukic.

“I believe tomorrow could be his day.”

Tanker falls, Drops Oil on the Road

Samuel Awoyinfa, Abeokuta
A tanker laden with 33,000 litres of petrol fell on Saturday along Iwoye-Ilogbo Road, in Iju-Atan-Ilogbo Local Council Development Area of Ogun State.
The tanker which bore the name of a popular oil company allegedly fell, due to the bad condition of the road.

Operatives of traffic agencies, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps and policemen were seen at the scene of the accident to forestall harm.

They prevented residents from coming near the scene to scoop fuel. Vehicles and motorcycles also could not pass through the road.

Efforts are now being made to trans-load the content of the tanker into another one.

Punch

Recruitment: FRSC to commence screening, physical assessments Sept 24

The Federal Road Safety Commission has scheduled its screening and physical fitness assessment on recruitment for Sept. 24 to 29.


The FRSC Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, said in a statement on Friday that the screening would be conducted in all the state capitals.
Kazeem advised applicants to check the email used for submission of the applications on Sept. 19 for information on the exercise.

“The information in the email will contain the venue, date, time of screening and required items to be taken along for the exercise,” he said.
According to him, shortlisted applicants are to come with the summary data page earlier received and the email notification slip which shall admit them to the screening venue.

The FRSC image maker said that any candidate without the printout of the summary data page and notification slip for the phase of the exercise would not be admitted into the venue.

The FRSC recruitment started on May 28, with the uploading of the application forms on the FRSC recruitment portal.

(NAN)

Buhari accepts Kemi Adeosun’s resignation, appoints Zainab Ahmed as replacement

373 1' 

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the resignation of Kemi Adeosun as minister of finance.

In a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President thanked the minister for her services to the nation and wished her well in her future pursuits.

Buhari also approved that the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, should oversee the ministry immediately

Kemi Adeosun Clears Air on NYSC Certificate, Resigns As Minister... Read Letter

14th September, 2018

His Excellency

Muhammadu Buhari

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

State House

Aso Villa

Abuja

Dear Excellency,

Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.

I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.

Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.

On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine. Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.

Your Excellency, It has been an exceptional privilege to have served our nation under your leadership and to have played a role in steering our economy at a very challenging time. I am proud that Nigeria has brought discipline into its finances, has identified and is pursuing a path to long term sustainable growth that will unlock the potential in this great economy. Under your leadership, Nigeria was able to exit recession and has now started to lay the foundations for lasting growth and wealth creation. Repositioning this huge economy is not a short term task and there are no short cuts, indeed there are tough decisions still to be made but I have no doubt that your focus on infrastructural investment, revenue mobilisation and value for money in public expenditure will deliver growth, wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.

I thank His Excellency, the Vice President and my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council for the huge pleasure and honour of working with them. I also thank most specially, the team in the ‘Finance Family’ of advisers and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance. Your Excellency, this group of committed Nigerians represent a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. They have worked well above and beyond the call of duty to support me in the tasks assigned. The diversity in my team and their ability to work cohesively to deliver reforms, convinces me that Nigeria has the human capital required to succeed.

Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter. I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted. As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to improving this nation.

Please be assured, as always, of my highest regards and best wishes.

Kemi Adeosun(Mrs)

LASG set to release 2018 Basic Education Certificate Exams Result

The Lagos State Examinations Board has concluded all arrangements to release the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Result.

This was disclosed by the Director, Examinations Board, Mr. Oluwafemi Hassan while speaking at the 2018 Award Meeting which had in attendance the major stakeholders comprising of Chief Examiners, Directors of Schools’ Administration, Teachers, Representatives from the State Ministry of Education and President of All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

Dr. Hassan explained that the essence of the meeting was to evolve a guideline for the gradings of ten school subjects in which nine are compulsory while Arabic is optional.

He maintained that the yardstick for promoting the students to Senior Secondary Schools must be a true reflection of their performance.

To this end, Hassan said it was resolved that for a student to move to the next class, he or she must have six credits, including English and Mathematics, adding that any student who failed the compulsory subjects (especially English and Maths) has to re-sit the examinations before being promoted.

The Director reiterated that education is key to the development and growth of the State, saying that all hands must be on deck to take the sector to greater heights.

Alleged resignation: My Boss Has Not Resigned, Adeosun's Aide Reveals

Ifeanyi Onuba

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, is still working in her office despite reports of her resignation.

Our correspondent who was at the ministry around 12pm saw the minister’s official vehicles and her personal staff at the ministry.

When our correspondent visited the minister’s office located on the seventh floor of the headquarters of the ministry, it was observed that she was in her office working.

Officials of the ministry, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said they were not aware of  her resignation.

As of 4:10pm when this report was being sent the minister was still in her office, while journalists were waiting to interview her outside the ministry.

An aide of the minister, who spoke to journalists, said his boss had not resigned.


It was gathered that the Presidency would issue a statement on this issue later today.

Punch

Lagos urges retired principals to impart knowledge for education sector growth

AgegePulse Magazine


The Lagos State government has urged retired principals in Lagos State to continue to impart their knowledge as educators, coaches and counsellors to enrich the experience of teachers, serving principals and school administrators to grow the education sector.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who made the call while speaking at the formal launch of the Association of Retired Principals of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, (ARPSSON), Lagos State Chapter, added that the government expects retired principals to give invaluable information and advice on State's programs and policies to those in service.

Dr. Adebule, represented by Mrs. Samiat Adeleye, the Permanent Secretary, Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO), pledged the government's support for the association to ensure the achievement of its aims and objectives.

Also speaking during the event, the Initiator and Coordinator of ARPSSON, Mr. K. Sodehinde, stated that the aim of the Association, among others, was to promote the socio-economic welfare of members and to foster unity among all retired principals.

Sodeinde called for the government’s support in all areas, especially for an upward review of their pensions, pointing out that the body was initially started in Lagos but has spread to other parts of the country.

The event which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Teachers' Resource Centre, Owutu had in attendance representative of His Royal Highness, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, retired Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries and other notable people in the education sector in the State.

Egunjobi appointed Sanwo-Olu’s Campaign Director

The Executive Chairman, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alh. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, has been appointed as a director in a 21-man campaign team charged with the responsibility of rallying supports for the governorship aspiration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

In a statement released by Tayo Ayinde, the Campaign team’s Director General, Egunjobi was named as the Director of Non-governmental Organisations, NGOs, civil society and students.



The Council chief going by the statement is to oversee the mobilization of advocacy groups and students to support Sanwo-Olu’s candidacy.



Below is the list of other Directors and their designations:

 Mobilisation - Alhaji Abdullah Enilolobo
_ Special Duties- Hon. Adeniran Onilude
__Fund raising - Tobi Lawal.
_ Legal - Hon. SOB Agunbiade.
_ Research and Intelligence- Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun.
_Media & Publicity- Hon. Sesan Dani
_Security - Hon Bolaji Ariyo.
_Planning & Strategy- Hon. Jimi Benson
_Women Affairs - Hon Bolanle Akinyemi - Obe.
_. Ethnic Affairs- Hon. Wale Adelana.
_Welfare - Hon Ayoola Fatai.
_Finance - Hon. Kolade Alabi
_Party Affairs- Hon. Abiodun Mafe
_Medical and Safety - Dr Sulaimon Aleshinloye.
_Volunteers' group- Hon. Kamal Olohrunoje.
_Youth- Hon. Fuad Atanda - Lawal
_ Religion- Rev. Samuel Olufemi Ogedengbe.

Senatorial Coordinators:
1.Coordinator Lagos West- Hon. Rasak Ajala
2. Coordinator Lagos Central- Hon Wahab Alawiye King.
3. Coordinator Lagos East- Mayor Dele Oshinowo

BREAKING: Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun resigns

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has resigned sources close to her told Daily Trust.

It is not clear when she submitted her resignation letter.

According to our source, the resignation followed the allegation of not serving the compulsory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and obtaining a certificate that the NYSC have disowned.

The minister felt that her position is becoming untenable and is hurting the President in the run up to the 2019 election.

Daily trust

22 teams vie for Prudent Energy Handball League Star Prize

By Solomon Nwoke

 The second phase of Prudent Energy Handball league throws off on September 25, 2018 at the Row Park Handball courts with 22 teams comprising 12 male  and 10 female teams vying for the sponsors’ One Million Naira ( N1 Million) star prize for the winners in both male and female categories.

 Handball The five year-sponsorship deal which came into being last April with the main objective of  developing a virile and functional handball league in Nigeria has seen the once moribund sport come alive again  with players currently vying for honours at the African Under 18 and 20 Junior and Cadet Nations cup in Morocco.

Among the teams expected to be on parade in the male category include:

Lagos Seasiders male team, Safety Shooters, The Defenders male team, among others. In the female category, some of the teams competing include Safety Babes, the Defenders Babes, Lagos Seasiders, Imo Grasshoppers among others.

 The runners-up and third place winners will get N750,000 and N500,000 apiece in both categories. Speaking yesterday at the media parley, the Chief Executive Officer of Prudent Energy and Services Limited (PESL), Alhaji Abdulwasiu Sowami said they were moved to sponsoring handball as a sport because they realised that the sport in Nigeria is not well supported by government and private sectors He said, “PESL is happy to partner with the HFN and will actively support, promote and help develop the handball league because we share common passion with the current HFN Board.” Handball Federation President Sam Ocheho said, “our joy and hope is that as long as we continue like this and as long as we continue to do the right thing the podium at the world level will not be far away”.

 The champions of this league will represent Nigeria at the African Club Championships slated to hold in Abidjan in October while the runners up will represent Nigeria at the African Club winners championship.

Vanguard

Amosun Describes Alake as Worthy Royal Father at 75

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, as a worthy royal father, as he marks his 75th birthday today.

In a statement, signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, Amosun hailed the selfless sacrifice of the monarch in the interest of the growth of the state and development of his subjects.

"On behalf of the government and good people of Ogun State, I rejoice with you on your 75th birthday. No doubt, your life is worth celebrating, with thanksgiving to God.

"Your story has been that of a fulfilled life, particularly with your successful 13-year reign, as the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland.

You have ensured the continued peace and tranquillity in your domain as well as supported our administration's Mission to Rebuild the state, which has resulted in an enviable transformation.

"Also, your contributions to the significant cordial relationship among traditional rulers in the state, is commendable and worthy of emulation", he added.

The governor wished the Alake continued prosperous reign and prayed that God grant him long life.

SAD! Shocking Moment A Man Was Robbed & Killed By Gunmen At ATM

CCTV footage has shown the shocking moment some unknown gunmen attacked a young man at an ATM point, robbed, killed him and took away his car in Lagos.

A social media pages shared pics of the man, a Taxi driver who was recently robbed and killed by gunmen at an ATM point in the Obalende area of Lagos, as the killers took away his car.

The page shared the screenshots and wrote:

"Faces of Uber & Taxify Driver killers in Lagos. They kill the driver then take the car away. This is one of there victim, incident happened Wed. 05-09-2018.

This is to inform the general public that A car (Toyota Corolla 2006) GGE740ER was robbed in Obalenlede Lagos at gun point.

Kindly inform the nearest police station if found please or call 08181261679, 08023894797 07065337557, 08037404994."

Lagos Reporters

APC Agege Ratifies Delegates For Presidential Primary - AgegePulse

All Progressives Congresss in Agege Local Govt of Lagos State held the National Delegate Congress today, Wednesday 12th September, 2018 in accordance with the scheduled of APC; as directed by the National body of the party led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole towards the 2019 general elections.

At the Congress held at No. 66, Capitol Road, Agege, Lagos; all party members across the thirteen (13) Wards in Agege turned-out enmass and converged at the venue with their membership slips that authenticate them as genuine members of our great party APC.

Recall that the National Delegate members were duely elected during the last APC Agege LG Congress.

As each of the National Delegate members were called out in the presence of the crowd, members of the party in Agege across board, unanimously, with a show of hands in favour; upheld the ratification of the National Delegate members as elected during the last Congresses in Agege.

Ratified members of the National Delegates were:

1. Chief Safari Adisa Adaranijo (APC Agege Apex Leader)
2. Professor Babatunde Samuel (APC Agege Apex Leader)
3. Mrs. Maryam Sayeed

The electoral head of Agege INEC, Alhaja (Mrs) Lawal along with her Admin. Officers I, II and III; monitored the ratification exercise in line with the stipulated rules of the electoral body.

Also present at the Congress include:

Chief Safari Adisa Adaranijo, Prof. Babatunde Samuel (Ably Represented), Hon. Taofeek Adaranijo (MHR), Alh. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi (Executive Chairman, Agege LG),  Alh. Owolabi Dada (First executive chairman of Agege LG), Alh. Ayoni Shittu, Hon. Tunde Azeez (APC Chairman, Agege LG), Hon. Olaniyi Salawu (APC Chairman, Orile Agege LCDA), LG executive members of Agege APC, All the Ward Chairmen with their excos.


 _Reported by:_

 *Comrade Ismaeel Garba Ismaeel*

2019: Sanwo-Olu Adoption Mere Speculation - APC Chieftain

The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress on Wednesday said it had not adopted any governorship aspirant as its candidate for the 2019 elections.
The Chairman of the chapter’s Elders’ Forum, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
He was reacting to media reports that the chapter had adopted an aspirant, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, the incumbent Managing Director of Lagos State Property Development Corporation, as its governorship candidate.

NAN reports that Mr James Odumbaku, the immediate past Vice-Chairman of the party in the state and an ally of Chief Bola Tinubu, was reported to have claimed in a video on Tuesday that Sanwo-Olu had been adopted as the incoming governor.

Odumbaku, who was with Sanwo-Olu and other chieftains at a meeting in the video, said all the 57 council chairmen had endorsed the LSPDC boss as their candidate, claiming the adoption was at the instance of Asiwaju Tinubu.

NAN reports that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, had on Monday, declared his intention to run for another term.
A former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, had also declared his aspiration for the number one seat in the state.

Olusi described the purported adoption of Sanwo-Olu to puncture the second term bid of Ambode as mere speculation.
He said the party could not have resolved to hold a primary when it had adopted an aspirant.

“All these things are speculations. They are not true, How can we plan to hold a primary to elect our candidates and then adopt somebody?

“If we are still going to hold our primary, why then should we adopt, or does the adoption cancel the primary? No.

“This is the political season, all interesting things happen, but I can tell you most of the things that have been reported on the matter are mere speculations and not facts. Nobody has directed any adoption,” he said.
Olusi, while referring to the video, said it was normal for individuals or groups to back or endorse aspirants ahead of any election.

He, however,  said such endorsements should not be taken to be the position of the party.

Olusi said the determination of who would become the governorship candidate of the party would only be done at the primary.
He described the APC as a democratic party, saying all aspirants would be allowed a level playing field.

On the feasibility of holding a direct primary at the chapter in view of the large numbers of party members, Olusi said there was no cause for alarm.

He said the right preparations were being done, expressing optimism that everything would go well during the exercise.

Olusi said he would not comment on the controversies emanating from adopting different modes of primary in some APC state chapters.
“Honestly, I do not want to comment on that. However, we are a growing democracy and we learn every day,’’ he said

(NAN)
Punch