A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Gusau – The Police on Monday in Zamfara said that a suspected armed bandit, one Sani Abdullahi, had been killed in a gun battle with security agents.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Shaba Alkal, told newsmen in Gusau that the suspect died during gun battle when a group of bandits attacked Yartukunya village in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.
"We also recovered one AK 47 rifle from the deceased suspect," Alkali said.
Alkali also said that the command had also arrested nine illegal miners in Gemawa village of Talata-Mafara local government area of the state.
"We had also recovered exhibits from the suspects such as the cash of N90,000 given to our policemen as bribe, mining materials such as mining detectors, diggers, shovels and head pans," Alkali said.
He advised residents of the state against engaging themselves in unlawful activities, especially mining as it had security and public health implications
According to Alkali, the team of detectives of the command's Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) also arrested four suspected criminals in Gusau metropolis.
"During our investigation, we discovered 84 handsets of different types, SIM and memory cards and cash of N111,420.
"On 29 April, 2017, we arrested a student of Abdu-Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara connected with the killing of another student, Imrana Nasiru," he said.
Alkali said all the suspects would be arraigned after investigation by the command.
He commended the public for giving information to the police about criminal activities, saying that all the arrests made by the command were due to the support of the public.
Alkali urged the public to continue to cooperate and give useful information on criminals to the police to sustain peace and stability in the state.
…Promises to expedite their recovery, rehabilitation
By Soni Daniel
Abuja – Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole,Monday visited the 82 Chibok schoolgirls freed by insurgents at the weekend in an Abuja hospital where they are receiving treatment and assured them of the resolve of the government to give them maximum treatment and care so as to quicken their recovery and reintegration into normal life.
Prof Adewole asked the girls to be open with their caregivers and not hide any ailment from them so that appropriate attention could be given to them while in the health facility.
The minister said, "We are happy for you. We thank God for your release. President Buhari has shown his commitment to your plight and has directed that we offer the best of medical services. We are going to take care of you so that you can go out and live productive lives again. We are at your service; it is our job to help you. Please, do not hide anything from us", he said.
Prof Adewole assured the girls that everything they need for their healthcare would be provided as soon as the laboratory results were delivered
The minister, who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Binta Bello, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja and other top officials of the ministry, later met with the freed girls and also had a technical session with the hospital team on the management of the girls.
He called on the medical team to set up individual chart to track the progress of each of the girls. He called on the care providers to give special attention to psychosocial services, bearing in mind that the girls had been held captive for more than three years.
The minister later presented some essential drugs and commodities to the management of the facility to aide them in managing the freed girls
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zaki Ahmed has expressed satisfaction and delight in the efforts of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, in ridding the nation of corrupt practices. Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu and Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zaki Ahmed
According to him, Magu’s efforts have brought pride and honour to the Nigeria Police and Nigerians in general.
Ahmed gave this commendation on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when Magu paid him a courtesy visit.
“You are doing a good job and we are proud of you. Corruption is a monster. It has tried to destroy the nation but with your efforts and efforts of your men, we will overcome it. Someone doing a good job like you must be faced with so many obstacles but by the grace of God, you will overcome them,” he said.
According to a statement by the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Magu was in the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC on a one-day working visit. Aside his courtesy call on the Police Commissioner, he also visited the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iyayi Laminkara. The visit yielded useful exchange of ideas on how to improve on the prosecution of EFCC’s cases. Justice Laminkara reiterated her disposition and commitments to expeditious trial of corruption cases.
“To this effect, there are judges that we have designated for such cases and we are making progress in this regard”, she said.
Magu was accompanied on the visits by the Zonal Head, Mr. Salihu Ishaq among other officers.
Yenagoa – A 26-year-old man has reportedly stabbed his 18-year-old girlfriend in a hotel room in Yenagoa.
The man took to his heels when the wailing of the victim attracted the attention of other guests in the guest house who came to her rescue.
The victim was identified as Miss Faith Pius
The guest house is located at Biogbolo area of Yenagoa.
One of the guests told NAN that the suspect escaped when other guests and residents in the neighbourhood rushed to the scene.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the incident happened on Friday night.
NAN gathered that Pius was rushed to a private clinic where she was treated and the wounds stitched.
"But she developed complications on Saturday and she died on Sunday morning,'' the source said.
The state Police commissioner, Mr Amba Asuquo, who confirmed the incident, said it was first considered as a case of assault occasioned by harm.
"Initially, it was treated purely as a case of assault occasioned by harm but now that the girl has died, we are now treating a case of murder against one suspect.
"We are in the process of ensuring that the suspect is arrested because after committing the crime he ran away.
"I know some people are associating it to ritual killing but we cannot conclude," he said.
Youths of Biogbolo community took to the streets to protest the death of the girl from knife cuts allegedly inflicted on her by her lover boy.
The youths were said to have attacked shops and vandalised vehicles reportedly owned by the kinsmen of the lover boy along some streets in the area.
It took the intervention of detachments of riot policemen to disperse the aggrieved youths.
The incident caused panic as residents run in different directions while operators of business outfits closed shop and fled.
Stephen Pius, an elder brother of the victim, alleged that the suspect cut his younger sister twice each in her stomach and her heart region.
Lagos – A former Lagos State Governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday called for special and adequate care for the released Chibok schoolgirls, to help them overcome the sad experience they had to suffer while in captivity. Buhari and Tinubu Tinubu made the call in a message in Lagos to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians over the release of more of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls
He urged the government to help the families of the girls to nurture them, for their proper reintegration into the society.
The 82 of the over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno by Boko Haram in April 2014 were released by the sect on Saturday following negotiations with the federal government.
The sect had earlier released 21 of the abducted girls in October 2016.
Tinubu said: "I congratulate President Buhari and Nigerians over the release of more of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
"This shows President Buhari's unwavering commitment to freeing these and other innocent children from the cruel hand of Boko Haram and returning them to their families and community.
"Yet, we must keep this good news in proper context. The released children need to be nurtured and cared for in a special way in order to overcome the sad experience that they had to suffer.
"Moreover, we must not forget the girls still held by Boko Haram and we must not forget the grief of their families.
" We owe it to them to press forward until all the girls have regained freedom and Boko Haram is so defeated that it may never again be able to do what it did in Chibok.
"Boko Haram must be defeated. President Buhari has said as much. We all must stand with him and support his strategy to accomplish this humane and necessary goal, " he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader said the release of the girls showed that President Buhari had kept his eye on the true objective to reunite families and communities under the reign of peace and rule of justice.
According to him, the northern Nigeria, and Nigeria as a whole, may begin to rebuild in a way that brings a decent life and a taste of enduring prosperity to all Nigerians.
"This is the ultimate goal, and the release of these girls is an important step on this pathway.
"I congratulate the President. I congratulate our gallant armed forces. After waiting so long for the return of their children, the parents of these girls must feel a great sense of relief and elation, " Tinubu said.
The Niger Delta Anti-Corruption Crusaders has commended the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, Chief Operating Officer (Refineries) Anibor Kragha and Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Mr. Adewale Solomon Ladenegan, for the smooth operations of the Warri Refinery.
In a statement, the co-ordinator, Mr. Kingsley Emoefeme, disclosed that the group particularly commended Ladenegan for being diligent and transparent in running the Warri Refinery.
"The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru, Chief Operating Officer (Refineries) Anibor Kragha have been working tiredlessly to fully restore our refineries, we believe their collect efforts have been complimented and achieved in Warri Refinery by Mr. Ladenegan.
"We are commending Ladenegan to encourage him to remain focus and continue with his good works. We also appreciate the full supports and cooperation from management and workers in Refinery, their laudable teamwork that is yielding positive results," he added.
KANO – President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Legislative matters, Alhaji AbdulRahaman Kawu Sumaila Monday,said ailing President is fit to seek for reelection in 2019.
Kawu Sumaila told Reporters in Kano that “from what I have seen at close range, my boss is quite fit for 2019 electoral battle”.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari left the shore of this country Sunday night to United Kingdom on medical leave following undisclosed ailment that had debilitating effect on his capacity to run the governments.
The Presidential aide stated that ” President Buhari’s fitness status was played up in 2015 general election, he survived the campaign rigour, won the election and on the verge of taking Nigeria to the promised land”.
“Buhari is quite alright, he is fit to pass through a familiar terrain, and its human to fall sick, and highly confident he would get better, “. Kawu Sumaila stressed.
He expressed Buhari’s readiness to flaw any challenger within his party and across in a competitive election, adding that ” Buhari has nothing to fear.
“Those who have legitimate ambition should step forward, but they should also have at the back of their the fatal consequence of such misadventure in 2015,” Kawu Sumaila said.
Sumaila explained that President Buhari’s two years in office was “eventful and fruitful”, adding that ” his ability to degraded the insurgency was a landmark in the history of this country “.
The Presidential aide appealed to Nigerian to continued to support the government to enable it delivered the dividend of democracy to their door step.
As part of its continued drive to promote Made-in-Nigeria products, Shoprite has gathered local manufacturers, start-ups and farmers for the second edition of its initiative.
The gathering is a quarterly meet-ups aimed at strengthening existing relationships with suppliers, identifying gaps, harnessing new opportunities in line with improving the Economic stability of the country, alongside creating the chance for local producers to showcase products and goods manufactured in Nigeria for export.
As part of its continued drive to promote Made-in-Nigeria products, Shoprite has gathered local manufacturers, start-ups and farmers for the second edition of its initiative.
The event which was held at the Shoprite store in Ikeja City Mall, Lagos. The management of Shoprite calls on manufacturers to take advantage of this window to partner with Shoprite and have their products on the shelves.
Through the initiative Shoprite has established a partnership with the association of potato farmers in Plateau state where deliveries of fresh potato products are made to Abuja in large quantities.
Likewise, the farmers' association will continue to benefit from their relationship with Shoprite in terms reduction of food wastage and lost revenue which were major challenges before the partnership, said statement
The made in Nigeria event which was first launched in February is a programme that would continue to showcase Nigerian products in all of Shoprite outlets across the country.
Other local manufacturers and farmers have a chance to partner with Shoprite to make Proudly Nigerian products a household name both locally and internationally as it continues to call for manufacturers to supply local products.
*warns that schools in the N/East may be attacked again
By Evelyn Usman
President of the Association of Industrial Security & Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, yesterday, commended President Muhammed Buhari on the release of 82 additional Chibok School girls, three years after they were abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect.
Describing the release as a demonstration of the FG’s believe that Nigerians lives mattered, Ekhomu in a statemet made available to Vanguard said " the willingness of government to negotiate and meet the terms of the exchange should not be mistaken for weakness. Rather it shows strength and compassion on the part of our leader".
He called on the federal government to conduct a high level judicial probe of the Chibok mass kidnap that would determine what vulnerabilities resulted in the security breach.
" The culpability of the school authorities,the Borno State government and security agencies in the seizure of the girls would also be determined. This will enable government punish those whose negligence contributed to the seizure of the girls and deter such reckless behavior in future", he added.
Attributing the kidnap of the girls to what he described as pervasive insecurity in Schools throughout Nigeria, Ekhomu noted that " prior to the abduction of the Chibok girls, Boko Haram has seized several girls from schools in the Northeast yet nobody cared. So, School insecurity is a recurring decimal in Nigeria. And this situation must be address".
But he was quick to warn that schools in the Northeast might come under attack by Boko Haram. According to him: " as Shekau releases the Chibok captives, he will need to kidnap more girls and women to serve him and his top lieutenants" .
He argued that the release of top commanders of Boko Harm which was a major concession for the release of the 82 girls meant that the terrorists were being recycled to the battlefield. He therefore cautioned against psychological dissuasion " where there is frequent assertion of the "defeat of Boko Haram, while Boko Haram is still carrying out lethal attacks here and there. Unless a snake is defanged you can't assume that it can't hurt you".
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Though the report of the three man Presidential Committee that investigated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General, Nigerian Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayo Oke is yet to be made public, both men still stand suspended, a Presidency source has said.
Investigations by Vanguard Monday night revealed that the Chairman of the Committee, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is incidentally acting on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari who, Sunday night, left Abuja for London to seek medical attention, would not take any soft discretionary measure that may exonerate Lawal and Oke.
Findings also indicated that Osinbajo may have quietly submitted the report to President Buhari during their meeting the same night before his departure.
It will be recalled that Lawal and Oke were suspended on April 19 following allegations of financial corruption.
Specifically, Lawal was indicted in the N200 million contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East, PINE which he supervised while Oke answered questions on what he knew about the $43 million discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos which his agency laid ownership claims.
The Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN) says it is against plans by the Lagos State Government to introduce multiple haulage charges on their services.
Mr Aliu Mayungbe, the Acting National Chairman of the union, disclosed the position of the union at a media briefing in Lagos on Monday.
He said that the state Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development recently attempted to impose haulage levies on trucks moving sands from dredging sites.
Mayungbe described the plan as unlawful and a disincentive to businesses in the state.
The union chairman said that his members had been paying the said charge to government regularly through the Ministry of Transportation.
He said that attempts by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development to use collection agents to collect the charges from truck drivers would amount to multiple charges.
According to him, the union maintains a position of neutrality and refuse to be entangled in the payment dispute between government and the Dredgers Association of Nigeria.
"Officials from the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development met with our members to solicit support for introduction of haulage fees on our activities.
"The collection process was for truck drivers to obtain N500 from dredgers on each truckload of sand moved from their site and pay to the ministry's collection agent positioned at the gate of the site.
"We resisted the fees because our activities are not regulated by Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, but by Ministry of Transportation.
"Moreso, the dredgers that we are been pitched against are members of our union and every increases in charges by government impacts negatively on our operating costs and reduces job creation opportunities," he said.
Mr Abimbola Odusanya, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Chapter of the union, said that officials of the ministry threatened to imprison truck drivers who refused to boycott sites of dredgers that did not comply with the payment.
"Obeying such order will hinder our business activities and relationship with dredgers.
"We instructed our members to resist efforts of government officials that tried to collect the payment from them.
"The issue of multiple charges is killing businesses, making Lagos unfriendly to entrepreneurs and a major factor for the increasing cost of doing business in the country," he said.
Mr Batare Akpomejero, President, Dredgers Association of Nigeria, said that a judgement of Federal High Court had restrained the state from seeking to control commercial activities of dredgers.
"Due to multiple taxation on our activities from federal and state agencies, the court had ruled that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and NIMASA were the proper and lawful agencies with authority in matters relating to the commercial activities for dredgers.
"To now have officials of the state government lobbying UTQEN through the pretence of introducing unauthorised charges to collect fees that the court restrained them from obtaining from us is unlawful," he said.
Akpomejero said that multiple taxation was inimical to business expansion and growth, reduced profit, worsened unemployment rate and discouraged investments in the country.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has said that medical tourism is one of the major contributors to foreign exchange depletion in the country.
Ehanire who spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the Reddington Hospital Group’s cardiology Centre in Lagos also identified limited access, inequitable distribution of facilities, limitation of both material, financial and human resources for health, poor attitude to work, strikes and inter-professional discord, and limited affordability for the average citizen as challenges plaguing the health sector.
Ehanire said by conservative estimates medical tourism cost Nigeria about $1 billion annually
He said the phenomenon which many Nigerians have resorted to has left the poor in Nigeria to their fate or faith in God, and so-called native medicine.
“The Federal Ministry of Health is furthering the revitalisation of nearly 10,000 primary health care centres (PHCs) in Nigeria, at least 1 in every political ward, working with states and our development partners, to rebuild the National Health System from the foundation, including plans for a referral system to relay patients through secondary to tertiary facilities.”
He said to check the problems; government is encouraging private sector participation in health care delivery.
Ehanire said commissioning of Grays Cardiology Centre has sets the bar higher as it goes beyond the routine, to bring state of the art diagnostic and intervention capacity to Nigeria.
“We are proud that services that would have been found only in the top hospitals of technologically advanced countries, can be rendered right here, in the country, without need for passport, visa, airfare or other hurdles and expenses."
In his welcome address, the Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. Soe Moe Aung, gave his assurance that the latest medical technology in cardiology will be used to provide the expertise to ensure that all patients receive world-class medical care. Aung explained that the Grays Cardiology Centre, is a full-fledged Cardiology Centre with a vision of improving patients’ chances of healthy survival, bettering the quality of their care, and giving more people the tools and education they need to prevent cardiovascular disease in an ethical and affordable manner.
Recalling that the first digital Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiography Suite in Nigeria was launched by Reddington Hospital in 2009, he said Grays Cardiology Centre was launched in collaboration with a team of indigenous cardiology experts, Professors of cardiology, and a USA-based cardiology group.
The Grays Cardiology Centre will offer services covering non-invasive and interventional procedures, heart diagnostic procedures, cardiac rehabilitation, intensive coronary care, telementry services, and heart care education, amongst others.
The telecoms industry is well aware that digital transformation will forever change the way in which we interact with our customers. However, there is still a significant amount of scepticism about the true impact and speed of digital transformation on more established businesses.
The telecoms industry is a perfect example of this trend in that it plays a critical role in supporting digital transformation across industries, but it can also unlock significant value through its own digital transformation.
Truly digital telcos will be able to develop new ways of working using new IT architecture that seamlessly connects front-end with back-end technology. It means a higher level of business assurance by protecting revenue and preventing fraud.
One of the stumbling blocks along the way to digital transformation is that many executives still feel that business models created by disruptive companies like Uber are not realistic for their specific operations. Others are hesitant to kick-start programmes without the skills, financial support, investment model, patience, and culture to succeed.
The Digital Transformation Initiative by the World Economic Forum, WEF, analysed the impact of digital technologies on industry and society. In its latest telecommunications report, the WEF identified four broad digital themes with the potential to unlock $2 trillion in new revenue opportunities for industry and society:
*Networks of the future – is about virtualisation and its promise to fundamentally change how networks are built and function.
*Beyond the pipe – focuses on how technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR) and reimagined models of digital communication can extend revenue streams beyond connectivity.
*Redefining customer engagement – highlights how companies who delight consumers with high-quality digital experiences will ultimately win their loyalty.
*Bridging the innovation gap – is about the demand for rapid innovation and its requirements for new innovation models and strategies for a digital workforce.
From 2016 to 2025, gains in the telecom industry are expected to exceed $1.2 trillion in cumulative operating profit. Similarly, the value for society is expected to exceed $800 billion – the majority of which will come from connecting billions of people who are still unconnected to the internet.
What's important to highlight here is that although digital transformation will look different for every company, we must understand how integration of digital technology into a business results in changes to how that business operates and delivers value to its customers. Beyond that, it’s a cultural shift that requires regular experimentation and becoming comfortable with failure.
Telcos face a rapidly changing economic and competitive landscape driven by internal and external digital disruptions. The role operators have played in accelerating digital business and service models has not translated into new value, with their market share declining from 58% in 2010 to 47% in 2015, and forecast to drop to 45% in 2018. Pressure on traditional revenue means it is increasingly important for operators to consider new digital business models to ensure they share in the value from digital transformation.
For larger, established organisations, digital transformation is a massive undertaking, but when done right, will result in businesses that are more aligned with customer demands and be more resilient in a constantly changing digital future. Four imperatives for industry and policy-makers include the following:
*Network transformation will be necessary to enable new business models beyond the pipe and address changing customer expectations.
*New business models adopting emerging technologies will require strong collaboration with vertical industries and internet platforms.
*Operating in the digital age requires a corporate culture change along with new organisational structures.
*Digital transformation will require an adjustment to existing policy and regulatory models.
The next decade of digital transformation will look significantly different from the past. Telecoms companies will need to be well prepared to take advantage of the sweeping transformation happening in consumer's lives, within enterprises and across the broader economy.
In a committed effort to retool local capacity for global competitiveness, Zinox Technologies Group has concluded arrangements to sponsor the Chris Uwaje, the the Oracle of the Nigeria IT industry to speak at the 2017 Global Internet of Things, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The former President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, and the Africa Chair on Communications and Publicity GioT Geneva 2017- will be speaking as a panelist on Africa perspectives and challenges on Ipv6. Uwaje is selected and invited to represent Africa and speak as a panelist of the Global IPv6 Forum on the state and challenges of Internet Version 6 (Ipv6) at the 1st Global Internet of Things Summit, GioTS in Geneva, Switzerland 2017). With this sponsorship, ZINOX assumes fundamental ledership of national ICT Policy and strategy matters, where government should at all time be at the forefront.
Given the future requirements of 70% youths that makeup Nigeria/Africa Population, Zinox is lighting up the way to the sustainable progress of the Nigerian nation. According to Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Africa stands to gain immensely if she can leapfrog from her present deep slumber on ICT ecosystem development and engage the values of (IoTs) whose estimated market potential is valued at $19 trillion USD by 2020.
Zinox projections is that the world has just at the embryonic stage and process of the global digital transformation and beliefs that no other startegy is capable of securing the economic empowerment, massive Youth employment, future development progress and national security of Nigeria and Africa.
Today, "IoT is rapidly evolving with the substantial risk of not paying attention to safety, reliability, privacy, security, and interoperability. Research has a fundamental role to enable a globally interoperable IoT and to make it right,” Sebastien Ziegler, General Chair and President of the IoT forum, said.
According to Latif Ladid, Co-Chair and President of IPv6 Forum "GIoTS 2017 will attract experts from industry and research in current and emerging technologies such as 5G-based IoT, software defined IoT, IoT-centric Cloud Computing, including the Social Internet of Things" For Dr. Antonio Skarmeta, TPC Chair, "The selected technical topics seek some maturity in IoT across the board. There are many facets that need research and experimental pilots to put the pieces together and give IoT innovation a roadmap".
GIoTS 2017 is supported by the IoT Week of the IoT Forum, The IPv6 Forum, the IEEE 5G subcommittee, the IEEE SDN-NFV subcommittee as well as the IEEE BiG Data TC. It will be collocated in Geneva with the IoT Week 2017, bringing together cutting edge research results, the IoT innovation community and the UN system with a unique worldwide outreach.
According to the United Nations Development's Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report of 2013 (UNDP, 2013), Africa contributes 35 of the 45 poorest countries. Given these high poverty levels, most African governments , especially the Sub-Saharan Africa are still struggling to provide basic needs such as food, shelter, health, water and sanitation and education among others and therefore technology innovations take a back seat. While the world's Development Index stands at 0.694, the Sub-Saharan Africa's one is at 0.475.
The IPv6 session will attract speakers from the 5 Continents to outline the deployment efforts of IPv6-based IoT research and best practices. The deployment in different countries is taking different shapes and forms considering the differing continental user requirements at this stage of deployment.
This session will try to harmonize and draw a common roadmap for deployment of IoT networking capabilities and architectural definitions to make sure “Internet of Things” are scalable,inclusive of several communication media, secure, future proof and viable for businesses and endusers. Each representative is challenged to research his/her continent to outline the various IoT initiatives and industry showcases and various user requirements, challenges, security and privacy issues and obstacles that could enrich the discussion in this worldwide IoT session.
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ruled that the statements obtained by the EFCC from Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, were made voluntarily and not under duress.
Dudafa is arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside. Joseph Iwejuo, on 23 counts bordering on fraud, conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.
EFCC operatives
Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the commencement of trial on Nov. 21, 2016, the defence counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole, had raised an objection to the tendering of Dudafa's statement as evidence.
He argued that the statement was an "extra-judicial"statement as it possessed similar features, claiming that Dudafa was forced to make the statement.
Oyewole had urged the court to conduct of a trial-within-trial to ascertain if the statements were voluntarily obtained.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, ordered a trial-within-trial in a bid to test the voluntariness of the statement.
The judge had taken arguments from both counsel and final addresses were adopted in March, while the court reserved its ruling.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Idris held that the statements of the accused were voluntarily obtained.
"The question then is, are the statements confessional?
"A confession is that which is made before the police and any other security agent while investigation is on.
"There is no evidence before the court that the statements made by the defendant is not a confessional statement.
"I cannot, therefore, hold that the statements were not voluntarily made," he said.
The judge further held that the statements in contention were made under caution and same voluntarily obtained.
Consequently, he adjourned further hearing until June 21.
In the charge, the accused were alleged to have on June 11, 2013, conspired to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6 billion.
It was alleged that they concealed the sum through a company — Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd and that they also used Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd to launder over N399 million.
Other companies allegedly used in perpetuating the alleged crime include Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Rotato Inter Link Services Ltd and De Jakes Fast Food and Restaurant Nigerian Ltd.
Dudafa was alleged to have between June 1 and June 4, 2015, contracted Iwejuo and Ebiwise Resources Ltd to conceal N150 million being alleged proceeds of crime.
EFCC also alleged that on April 27, Dudafa failed to provide any information in relation to over N616 million held on his behalf by Seagate Property's account.
The prosecution said he also failed to disclose the sum of N560 million held for him by De Jakes Fast Food Ltd as well as the sum of N10 million held for him by Ibejige Services Ltd.
The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened the provisions of Section 27 (3), (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
About 40 traders in Baboko Market in llorin whose shops were gutted by an inferno in April are living on charity.
Mr Ajayi Oluwafemi, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee in the market, disclosed the plight of the victims to newsmen in Ilorin on Monday.
He said that the affected 40 traders were living on charity since they lost their wares, money and other valuables to the fire incident.
"Some of the traders that are not affected normally give the victims money and other items to keep their soul since those affected do not have anywhere to display their goods," Oluwafemi said.
He said that there had not been any assistance from either the llorin West Local Government council or the state government to the traders.
Oluwafemi said that the traders, who are mostly women, could not carry out repair works on the affected shops.
Alhaji Duro Mohammed, the Special Adviser to Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed on Emergency and Relief Services, told newsmen that the state government was aware of the plight of the traders.
He promised that the state government would soon provide assistance them.
Prof. Okechukwu Oranika, publisher of Africa Business World, an American based journal on Africans, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that all kidnapped Chibok girls are released.
On the night of April 14, 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno State.
Oranika told the newsmen on telephone from Atlanta, United States of America, on Monday that the release of 82 girls through government efforts was a welcome development.
"The release of over 80 Chibok girls held hostage by Boko Haram is welcome news indeed.
"Despite reports that several Boko Haram commanders were traded for the release of these girls in what appears to be a swap deal, it is still a welcome news from my perspective," he said.
Oranika, however, called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to achieve the release of all the girls still held by Boko Haram group.
" I urge the Nigerian authorities to further take steps to achieve the full release of all unaccounted Chibok girls still under Boko Haram captivity.
"This release for all intents and purposes should be considered a partial victory.
" Full victory would be achieved when all the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are fully released and Boko Haram ceases its murderous attacks and killings of innocent Nigerian citizens," he said.
According to the Don, government should provide additional security for schools, especially at those within close proximity to Boko Haram`s areas of operation.
" This action is aimed at stopping similar copycat kidnappers and criminals who have no value nor regards for human lives and dignity," he said.
Oranika stated that the recent release would end the ordeal and sufferings of the girls, parents and families.
The Nigerian Navy on Monday in Abuja pledged to collaborate with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to develop sports for the upliftment of the country's teeming youths.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, made the pledge while receiving a merit award conferred on the Nigerian Navy by SWAN.
Newsmen report that the award was in recognition of Nigerian Navy's contributions to sports development in the country, both in the past and currently.
Navy personnel
Ibas, represented by Cmdr. Suraj Bello, Navy's Director of Sports, at a short ceremony at the SWAN National Secretariat in Abuja, expressed regrets he could not personally receive the award.
He said he failed to make it to the Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi State where SWAN conferred awards on other well-deserving individuals and organisations due to his tight schedule.
Congratulating SWAN on a successful Full Council Meeting, Ibas said sports writers have over the years remained the Navy's very formidable ally when it comes to sports development in the country.
"Sports journalists are very critical members of the nation's sporting family who must not be treated with levity,'' he said.
Speaking further, the Chief of Naval Staff noted that sports have shifted from a mere instrument of recreation to a huge income-earner which has equally helped in national and international integration.
"The rate of crime will also reduce if we engage the youths in sporting activities,'' he added.
Earlier, SWAN President Honour Sirawoo had said the Association decided to honour various individuals and organisations, especially the military and security outfits because of their contributions to the country's sports development.
"Sports writers, as the society's watchdog in sports, would continue to keep to their unique responsibility of holding governments at all levels accountable on behalf of the people,'' he said.
Sirawoo also advised that government and its agencies could add value to the sector's development by investing energy and finances in areas where Nigeria has comparative advantage over others.
"For a very long time, Nigeria has concentrated on oil revenue forgetting that there are other gold mines like the sports sector which has the capacity to gainfully engage millions of youths if properly harnessed,'' he said.
NAN reports that SWAN gave awards to various organisations on Thursday during its National Full Council Meeting at the Yankari Games Reserve.
These included the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, the National Lottery Trust Fund, the League Management Company and Channels Television.
SWAN which also made Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State its National Patron equally honoured the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, at the occasion.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has described the release of 82 Chibok girls as a testimony that Nigeria can achieve as a nation.
He said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mrs Clara Braide, Special Adviser Communication to Chairman NDDC.
He described the girls' freedom from Boko Haram captivity after three years since their abduction as a reward for President Muhammadu Buhari's tenacity and dedication to ensuring the safe return of the girls.
Ndoma-Egba
The NDDC Chairman said this in a release to celebrate the freedom which he described as "joyous and gladdening."
"I commend the hard work of our military, security agencies, civil and international bodies and the President Buhari-led administration, who again have this tangible result to show for all our prayers and persistence."
He encouraged the families whose children are still in captivity, assuring them that government will ensure their safe return.
He thanked the Almighty God for the girls who have bravely survived the traumatic experiences and their parents and families for their endurance during the heartbreaking wait for their children.
Ndoma-Egba called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for lasting peace in the North East Region and our nation Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 82 schoolgirls released by Boko Haram Islamist militants have met Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
The girls were handed over on Saturday in exchange for Boko Haram suspects after negotiations.
They were from a group of 276 abducted in north-eastern Nigeria in 2014.
Before the latest release, about 195 of the girls were still missing.
The number of Boko Haram suspects released by authorities remains unknown.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the temporary suspension of the state's Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs from road operation in the state with immediate effect.
The governor, it was gathered, ordered the officers to stay off Lagos roads until further instructions.
Vanguard gathered that since last week, the VIOs, under the Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, had left all Lagos roads on the order of Ambode.
According to government source, the directive was in line with the present administration of Ambode's policy of compulsory traning and retainning of all public workers in the state irrespective of cadres.
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