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
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has reported for pre-season training on Tuesday.
Sanchez
The Chilean was due back at London Colney on Sunday but was permitted an extra two days off due to illness.
There were fears the Chilean may not report back to the club's HQ as he looks to force his way out of the Emirates Stadium, with Manchester City his preferred destination, but Sanchez has allayed concerns of a potential no-show by reporting back to the club's training ground as expected.
The club confirmed Sanchez's return tweeting a picture of him smiling at the training ground, with the caption: 'Look who's back in training'.
Earlier, Sanchez touched down on British soil ahead of his return, and shared a picture after stepping off his private jet in London, alongside his two dogs Atom and Humber.
He was initially pictured at Santiago Airport alongside his lawyer Ruben Inostroza on Sunday, as he boarded a flight to London via Paris.
His brief stop-off in France led to some fans questioning whether PSG is his next destination, while Manchester City supporters are still hopeful he will arrive at the Etihad.
Douglas Costa insists Juventus' prospects of lifting the Champions League this season are as good as any team in Europe.
Douglas Costa
Juve suffered final heartache at the hands of LaLiga giants for the second time in three years in June, when Real Madrid ran out 4-1 winners in Cardiff.
Barcelona saw off Massimiliano Allegri's all-conquering Serie A powerhouse in Berlin in 2015 but it is precisely this pedigree that convinced Costa to swap Bayern Munich for Turin in 2017-18.
"In Europe, no team has more desire and chance to win the Champions League," said the Brazil winger, who sealed a season-long loan switch from the Allianz Arena last month, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I've noticed a lot of quality in the squad, I'll add my creativity.
"I chose Juventus because in three years they have played in two finals in Europe. This is a team that wants more and more chances to win the Champions League.
Usian Bolt won't get his golden farewell without the fight of his life, British rival CJ Ujah warned last night.
Ujah
Bolt is in London where he is talking confidently about signing off at the World Championships with a fourth world title over 100 metres.
Only once since he won the second of his three Olympic 100m crowns at London 2012 has he run the world 'lead', yet has still captured every major title.
What is different this time, perhaps, is the confidence of younger rivals like Ujah and his Canadian training partner, Andre De Grasse.
"I believe I can beat anyone," declared Ujah, who has won three Diamond League titles this year. "Bolt is obviously the legend and an inspiration to the sport and myself.
"But he's not the Bolt that's been there every year. He's not quite the same. We've all seen it."
The Jamaican will doubtless remind the young pretenders that times are one thing, going head-to-head with the greatest ever and winning, quite another.
The best example of this came at the 2015 Worlds in Beijing when Justin Gatlin was far and away the faster man – yet folded when lined up alongside Bolt in the final.
"When you get to the champs, the slate is wiped clean," Ujah acknowledged. "It's there that you're judged. Bolt knows that. And he's the best at doing it."
Shell Petroleum Development Company has disclosed that its operation is still threatened by insecurity in the Niger Delta.
File: Militants
The company indicated in its latest report that crude oil theft, sabotage and related damage to oil and gas facilities continue to present significant security concerns in parts of the Niger Delta, as well as environmental damage, which is aggravated by the proliferation of illegal refineries in the area.
It stated that illegal refining and third-party interference are the main sources of pollution in the Niger Delta today.
According to the report, third-party interference is the cause of 90% of the number of spills of more than 100 kilograms from The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited operated Joint Venture (SPDC JV) pipelines in 2016.
It stated that security in parts of the Niger Delta remains a major concern with persisting incidents of criminality, vandalism, threats from self-described militant groups, host community agitations and offshore piracy.
The report disclosed that there were renewed acts of sabotage by self-described militant groups on oil and gas infrastructure in parts of the Niger Delta in 2016, which severely impacted oil and gas operations. For example, export operations at the SPDC- operated Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) were disrupted after three sabotage incidents in 2016.
It disclosed that this resulted in loss of revenue, particularly for domestic producers who rely on the FOT for export.
The report stated that facilities operated by both indigenous and international oil and gas companies were vandalised by attacks and other illegal activities such as crude oil theft, which led to a sharp decline in oil and gas production and incidents of environmental contamination.
It stated that the consequences included a loss of revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria and major disruptions to gas supply to power electricity for industry, businesses and public sector services.
The report indicated that the safety of staff and contractors in Nigeria remains the top priority.
It stated that Shell Companies in Nigeria aim to mitigate security risks that may impact people, the environment and assets – thus operations are carried out only where it is safe to do so.
"We continue to deploy in-country expertise to mitigate security risks around our operations. We also continue to engage with the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as local communities, to help promote human rights and a peaceful and safe operating environment.
"Oil spills due to crude oil theft and sabotage of facilities (referred to as thirdparty interference), as well as illegal refining cause the most environmental damage from oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta. Irrespective of cause, the SPDC JV cleans up and remediates areas affected by spills originating from its facilities. The spills are sometimes made worse where there are access challenges to the incident sites to investigate and stop leaks. Third-party interference on pipelines and other infrastructure was responsible for 90% of oil spill incidents of more than 100 kilograms from SPDC JV facilities in 2016.
"Crude oil theft on the pipeline network resulted in a loss of about 5,660 barrels of oil a day (bbl/d) in 2016, which is less than the 25,000 bbl/d in 2015. The number of sabotage-related spills declined to 45* compared with 93 in 2015.
"The reduction in oil theft and sabotage-related spills from the previous year can be attributed to continued improvements in air and ground surveillance and response by government security forces, lower production levels at SPDC JV operations in the Western part of the Niger Delta due to acts of sabotage and the divestment in 2015 of the Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL).
"A key priority for Shell is to achieve the goal of no spills from its operations. No spill is acceptable and we work hard to prevent them. Shell Companies in Nigeria operate under the same standards as all other Shell-operated ventures globally. Regrettably, in addition to spills caused by criminal activity there were seven operational spills of more than 100 kilograms in volume from Shell Companies in Nigeria facilities during 2016. This number is less than the 16 spills in 2015, due to continued progress on preventing operational spills, such as regular inspections and maintenance of pipelines."
SOME customers in the Lasisi Osoja area of Lagos, under the Idimu Business Unit of Ikeja Electric have commended the company for providing them with pre-paid meters.
A residence at 32, Lasisi Osoja Street, in Idimu, Mr. John Familugba, said: "The amazing thing about the scheme is that we were not made to pay anything to be metered, which is new to me since I came to Lagos. The new pre-paid meter is better than the previously distributed ones. For the new meters, we pay for what is used, whether there is power supply or not.
"Prior to this time, I had called the distribution companies 419 because of the manner in which they extorted us. But with the present development, we pay for what we use."
The company's spokesman, Mr. Felix Ofulue, said the metering process was a continued one, adding that the new smart meters were free.
He also said that in some cases where the technicians discovered that the cables used in connecting to the mains are not appropriate, they were replaced without charging the customers.
"We will not stop metering as we owe that to our customers despite current challenge in foreign exchange.
"At the moment, we are metering Governor Road, Idimu, Ikeja GRA, Sam Sonibare Estate Ikeja and Amuwo- Odofin. It is a continuous process and we will not stop pending all customers across our network are metered."
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho could be jailed for two years in the United States if he is found guilty of misleading a court in Pennsylvania.
Kelechi Iheanacho
According to The Sun, the Manchester City striker filed pleadings that denied he knew or spent time with Henry Galeano, his former agent before he signed with Stellar Group.
Iheanacho claimed Galeano was an alias used by First Eleven Management co-owner Robert Zanicky.
The British daily has published photographs of the Nigeria international together with Galeano and Zanicky, which destroyed his arguments that Galeano and Zanicky are the same person.
Under Pennsylvania Law, if it is found Iheanacho knowingly tried to mislead the court, he could be charged with unsworn falsification — which, if found guilty, carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.
Henry Galeano claims he became Iheanacho's agent in July 2013, four months before he picked up the best player award of the FIFA U17 World Cup.
The 20-year-old's transfer to Leicester City is being delayed because of the legal issues.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has redeployed the chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICP, Ekpo Nta to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.Ekpo Nta
This was contained in a statement issued late Tuesday in Abuja and signed by the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi.
In his place, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has been appointed as chairman with a renewable tenure of five years. Owasanoye was part of the Prof. Itse Sagay-led Presidential Committee on Anti-Corruption.
Also appointed as members of the ICPC are Dr. Grace N. Chinda, Okolo Titus M., Barr. Obiora Igwedebia, Mrs. Olubukola Balogun, Group Capt. Sam Ewang (retd.), Justice Adamu Bello, Hannatu Mohammed and Abdullahi Maikano Saidu.
Others are Dr. Sa'ad Alanamu, Yahaya Umar Daud, Khamis Ahmed Mailantarki, Maimuna Aliyu while Prof. Musa Usman Abubakar would serve as secretary.
“The appointment of the Chairman is for five years, while the tenure for all the members is four years. Also, these appointments are subject to Senate confirmation”, the statement added.
By the directive, Nta is now to proceed to the salaries, income and wages commission as a full-time commissioner.
Other full time commissioners are Alhaji Dauda Yahaya, mni and Hon. Garba Musa Gulma.
Part time commissioners are Barr. Victoria Nnenna Chukwuani, Mr. Geoffery Yeilong, Prof. Ropo Shekoni and Ahmed Mahmud Gumel while the Permanent Secretary, (Establishment), Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation OHCSF would serve as member. Other members are Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Comrade Isa Aremu NLC and Mr. Chuma Nwankwo NECA.
“The new appointments are for a period of five years. The Chairman of the Commission is High Chief Richard Egbule, while Mr. E. A. Thompson is the Secretary. Both were appointed in August 2014”, the statement clarified.
The government also appointed Siaka Isaiah Idoko ad Chairman/CEO Investment And Security Tribunal while Jude I. Udunni, Mr. Nosa Osemwengie, Abubakar A. Ahmad, and Albert L. Otesile would serve as full-time members.
Part time members are Emeka Madubuike, Kasumi Garba Kurfi , Edward O. Ajayi, Onyemaechi E. M. Elujekor and Mamman Bukar Zargana.
For the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the government appointed Engr. Chidi K. C. Izuwah as Director-General.
“This appointment is also subject to Senate confirmation”, the statement added.
In another development, “the Acting President, with powers conferred on the President by Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act Cap R4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 has approved the setting up of a Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property.
“The Chairman of the Panel is Chief Okoi Obona-Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution. Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran is the Secretary to the Panel”.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Michael Adeyemo, on Tuesday called on governors of South West states to immortalise the late literary icon, Adebayo Faleti.
He said this was in view of his numerous literary works which promoted Yoruba values and culture.
Adeyemo, who led a delegation of lawmakers to the residence of the deceased in Ibadan, also appealed to media houses, particularly broadcast organisations, to continue the airing of his works in order to keep his memory alive.
According to him, airing the works of the deceased, particularly his audio and visual recordings, would help the younger generations who never had the opportunity to know him to still learn from him.
Describing Faleti as an accomplished man in all spheres of his endeavours, the Speaker enjoined the widows and children of the deceased not to mourn but see his passage as a celebration of a hero.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday in Ibadan commiserated with his Osun counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, on the death of his mother.
Mr Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Governor, quoted Ajimobi as saying in his condolence message that the death was depressing and disheartening.
The governor said he received the news of the demise with disbelief, adding that the deceased was a pride to womanhood and pillar of support to her son.
"There is no doubt that Mama was an epitome of motherhood and pillar of support to my brother, Gov Aregbesola, and indeed the entire Aregbesola family.
"She was a devout Muslim, a shining example of philanthropy as she shared virtually all she had with the needy, irrespective of where they came from; a virtue she must have passed on to her children.
"Mama was pleasant, easy-going and was always there for all of us who are her son's political associates.
" Mama will be sorely missed for her counsel and ever warm reception, '' he said.
Ajimobi said the deceased deserved to be celebrated for living a life worthy of emulation and for nurturing her children to stardom.
The governor prayed that Allah would grant the deceased Aljanah Firdaus and the Aregbesola family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has clarified that items stolen from his Gwarimpa Abuja were exaggerated in several media reports.Jonathan’s home in Abuja
He spoke through statement issued by his media side, Mr.Ikexhukwu Eze, Tuesday.
The statement reads in full:
Following series of enquiries from journalists and other concerned Nigerians on the extent of the reported vandalisation and theft in the house of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan located in Gwarinpa Abuja, we therefore would like to make the following clarifications:
The theft was discovered last month upon which a report was duly lodged with the relevant police authorities.
The police immediately commenced investigations which led to the arrest and detention of some suspects, six of whom were policemen, even as investigations continue.
The house, which the former President bought from CITEC estate developers in 2004, was totally stripped bare by the thieves who stole every movable item in the house including furniture sets, beds, electronics, toilet and electrical fittings, as well as all internal doors and frames.
However, contrary to exaggerated reports in some media, only six television sets, 3 refrigerators and one gas cooker were stolen. Being that the house is a modest 4-bedroom duplex, it couldn't have been fitted with "36 Plasma television sets and about 25 refrigerators" as falsely reported by some media outfits.
We thank all Nigerians for their show of concern and wish to convey the former President's goodwill to all Nigerians.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The federal government has said it is working behind the scenes to ensure the release of 113 Chibok girls.
WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER, PARENTS AND FREED CHIBOK SCH GIRLS MEETS AGAIN 6.. Minister of Women Affairs, senator Aisha AlHassan with some freed Chibok School Girls and a parent during a second meeting of Parents and Freed 106 Chiboks Girls as they prepare to enter high school for their remindal studies in Stepember 2017. The Meeting took place at the A Class Garden in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE. july 22 2017 Political Adviser to acting President Yemi Osinbajo announced this Tuesday in Abuja during a protest by the Bring Back Our Girls BBOG movement.
“There are so many things awe are doing. We have not foegotten them. Negotiations are ongoing”, he said.
In April 2014 by the Boko Haram had abducted 276 girls from an all female public secondary school in Chibok. Of the figure, 57 escaped leaving 219 missing. Of the 219, 106 are back, while 113 remain missing for over three years.
Leader of the BBOG, Oby Ezekwesili had faulted the federal government and police authorities for also keeping quiet about the abduction of 15 police women, urging accelerated action to rescue them.
BBOG recalled that “in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari pledged, ‘But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive.’ This same pledge was repeated to the Chibok parents by the President on at least 2 occasions in our presence as a movement. It must not be reduced to a partial outcome for some parents”.
The movement expressed dismay at what it described as the absolute lack of capacity to learn from previous mistakes in handling parents, families, and the public who deserve a system of update on rescue operations.
I have a smashing figure – tight stomach, nice bum (especially in thongs), big boobs but one breast is slightly bigger than the other. I'm sure everyone can notice this. As a result, I don't often leave the light on when I make love ,in case my partner laughs. Can this problem be fixed?
Jane, bye-mail.
Dear Jane,
I don't think your problem is with your boobs – it's the way you feel about them. I'm sure you're the only one who notices this difference – most people are too busy admiring your lovely figure to notice that your boobs don't match.
Boobs aren't exactly the same size as your friends must have told you. If you think yours is an imbalance, it shouldn't be the serious problem you're making it.
Try to change the way you think about your boobs. Concentrate on the good things about your body, rather than the tiny flaws.
THE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has threatened to begin a strike in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over a dispute with Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON.
According to the NUPENG, President, Igwe Achese, "The strike was inevitable because of N3.billion terminal benefits allegedly owed some sacked oil sector workers.
Mr. Achese said that those affected were former staff of Seawolf Drilling, an oil servicing firm, in Rivers state.
He said the management of AMCOM was being lackadaisical in meeting its obligation of settling the workers.
Mr. Achese said more than 300 workers of the oil firm were disengaged unceremoniously in 2013.
He stated that the retrenchment of the workers followed the company's indebtedness to a commercial bank to the tune of N25 billion which led to AMCOM taking over the assets and liabilities of Seawolf.
The workers, who are affiliate members of NUPENG, have been asking AMCOM to pay their severance package without success, he said.
Mr. Achese said NUPENG had given two weeks grace to the federal government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene.
"For the past four years we have been discussing the issue of redundancy and closure of Seawolf, which AMCOM, a federal agency, took over since 2013.
"It is very unfortunate to state that workers engaged to a company that AMCOM took over; AMCOM has refused to pay them their terminal benefits since 2013.
"Therefore, the union in a very strong resolution, is requesting the Federal Government to prevail on AMCOM to open doors for dialogue to pay these workers of Seawolf which it took over.
"Of course, you will agree with me that taking over a company such as the case of AMCOM you are taking both liabilities and assets.
"As such we have written series of letters to the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Labour and Employment, to the security agencies and all agencies expected to be notified on this issue.
"We are aware that AMCOM instead of paying these workers and negotiating the terminal benefits of these workers has decided to take the matter to court and we have been faced with series of adjournments since 2013.
"We, therefore, have no choice as a union but to write an open letter to Mr President and the acting president to take all necessary steps to address the issues of Seawolf and that of Chevron."
Mr. Achese said the union had notified the federal government in a letter that if it failed to address the issues after two weeks, it would call out its members to withdraw their services in the FCT.
He said that it had also directed its members across the country to, in solidarity with the struggle, dress in red and hoist green leaves on their vehicles for the next two weeks.
A former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Garba Muhammad-Gadi, has died at the age of 70 years, a family source said on Tuesday.
A close relative to the deceased, Alhaji Abdurrahman Nuhu-Bayero, told newsmen in Zaria that Muhammad-Gadi died in an India hospital on Tuesday.
He said the late politician is survived by three wives and 15 children.
He also said arrangements were at an advanced stage to transport the body home for burial.
Muhammad-Gadi, who is the Danburan Katagum, served as deputy governor under the administration of Gov. Isa Yuguda from 2007 to 2011.
He was also the National Chairman, Merger Committee which supervised the fusing of CPC with other political parties that gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
IT'S over one year since I got married and have been trying to get pregnant.
So far, there's no chance of that happening. I had an abortion three years ago and I'm worried that there's something wrong. I've read about the best time to conceive, yet we've had no success. I go to the bathroom straight after having sex. Does this affect my chances of getting pregnant? I'm so scared that I won't be able to have children.
Tomiwa, by e-mail.
Dear Tomiwa,
Your earlier pregnancy has confirmed your fertility. A woman's ability to bear children is only rarely affected by an abortion these days. Unfortunately , this fear rears its ugly head when another child takes time to come along. Your anxiety is based on guilt about a painful decision you made – and for which you feel you're now being punished. Push this thought out of your mind.
The best and most enjoyable time for a couple to have sex when they're trying to conceive is often. Making love will be more pleasurable if you relax and empty your bladder first. If you've not conceived after 12 months, you need to consult your doctor for tests. Infertility may also reflect deficiency in a man's sperm. Meanwhile, focus not on making babies but on the thrill of sharing intimacy and love, and see how things develop.
A few months ago, I discovered my husband of 15 years was having a torrid affair with another woman. I only found out by accident when I came across photos of both of them naked on his mobile phone. He swears they didn't have full sex, and that their relationship is now over.
He wants me to put it out of my head and move on, but I can't. The trust between us is gone and I keep accusing him of cheating. He says if he's accused of it, he might as well do it. Is this marriage worth saving or should I just call it a day?
Stepbanie,by e-mail.
Dear Stepanie,
Not only has your man cheated, he also appears to have little or no remorse.
He should be doing everything possible to make you feel loved and secure.
Having already seen photographic evidence of his betrayal, how can you possibly put this out of your head: He's done it once and I'm sure he'll do it again.
A lot of marriages survive infidelity these days only when the parties involved believe such marriages could be salvaged. The ball is now in your court. You need to ask yourself this – do you love him and does he love you? If you can answer yes to both of these questions, then there may be something worth saving.
My boyfriend and I have been together for almost eight years now and we have a four-year-old son. He was never that serious when we started our relationship, I was the one rushing him. After I had our son, I moved in with him and although we both have good jobs, he never encouraged me to discuss marriage.
He's currently building a house on a plot of land he bought for himself. When I suggested that we build the house in our joint names, he advised me to get a plot and build my own. Do you think we have a future? Roliat, by e-mail.
Dear Roliat,
From the start, your partner has been backing off from the relationship, pulling the rope in his direction. You kept pulling him back over to your idea and when you got pregnant, that pulled him right over into living with you.
What young man's ego is not boosted by the arrival of a first son? Even with his much loved son, your man still won't go the same mile. You want marriage, commitment, the works – and there's nothing wrong with that but your man doesn't.
You can keep pushing him to make that final commitment, but there's always a risk he'll end up walking away. If you accept things as they are, he'll probably stay and you will have some sort of a future together but it may not be a future that makes you happy.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has said that not less than 75 manufacturing firms from about 150 in its membership list in the South East had shutdown in the last five years over bad access roads, poor infrastructure and others.
Chief Azubuike Okafor, chairman of MAN in-charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, said this at the first Anambra Government-Development Partners summit in Awka on Tuesday.
Okafor attributed the shutdowns to poor infrastructure, including bad access roads, was negatively affecting cost of production by its members in the zone. He said such development made it unsuitable for the firms to operate in the region.
"About fiver years ago, we had about 150 manufacturing firms in our membership list in the zone and now about 75 of them have closed dow; that represents about 50 per cent of members.
"We do not have the enabling infrastructure, power and roads to operate; the cost of moving materials from Lagos to Anambra is almost the same as the cost of importing the material from China into Nigeria.
Havoc caused by erosion at Ufam Akwa
"Though we have a business friendly governor in Anambra, there is need to help the private sector to grow," he said.
Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said there were infrastructure gaps in the country.
Adeufulire said the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that gaps were bridged to evolve a friendly and sustainable business environment.
Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to Anambra Government, urged the Federal Government to revitalise and activate the moribund power project in the state.
Chukwulobelu said if made functional, the power infrastructure need of the industrial cities in Anambra would have been greatly addressed.
On his part, Mr. Mark Okoye, Anambra Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, said the state government was working towards incorporating the ministries and agencies in the state to ensure that the SDGs were achieved.
He said the state was conducting a baseline study and generating community charter to ensure that budget was tailored along the priorities and direct demands of the beneficiaries.
Okoye said the budget defence process would be expanded to accommodate the youth, women, organised private sector and the civil society, to ensure greater participation and better implementation.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade on Tuesday freed 80 juveniles, who were incarcerated at the Badagry Prison in the state for sundry offences.
Newsmen report that the inmates who are below 18 years old, were arrested and prosecuted by the Lagos State Task Force on various offences such as hawking and breach of the peace.
They were convicted by the Mobile Courts in the Lagos metropolis for various offences and sentenced to terms ranging from six months to two years after failing to pay fines imposed on them.
The prison facility which has 70 staff with a capacity for 320 inmates, is currently accommodating 584 inmates, out of which 389 are convicted and 195 awaiting trial.
Freeing the children from custody, Justice Atilade admonished them to be of good behaviour always.
"In accordance with Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody (Special Provisions) Act Cap C40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.
"You are hereby released from custody this first day of August 2017 and you are warned to go and sin no more," the chief judge said.
The children, who looked malnourished and clad in blue and green prison uniform, were immediately handed over to the Ministry of Youths and Social Development.
Newsmen also report that the chief judge had initially set out to release 28 children, but seeing the high figure of juveniles in the prison, 52 more children were released during the exercise which lasted from 12.30 p.m. to 3.35 p.m.
At least, 50 children were still in the facility.
Mr Oye Famuwagun, the Deputy Controller of Prisons,in his address of welcome, highlighted the challenges facing the prison.
"Badagry Prison lacks potable water for daily use and domestic needs, vehicles conveying inmates to court develop problems, all existing vehicles are old and are always malfunctioning.
"The issue of quick dispensation of justice for the awaiting trial inmates poses a lot of problems and has made the prison to be over populated," he said.
Justice Yetunde Idowu, the Head of the Family Court of the Lagos State Judiciary, in her speech, decried the incarceration of the children in the adult prison.
"The Judiciary and the government of Lagos State has zero tolerance for child abuse and we are saying No to children in prison whether under conviction, trial or otherwise.
"I am pained to be where we are looking at these children, if a child under 18 years is brought here, please alert the High Court, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Ministry of Youths and Social Development and other agencies.
"Anytime a child commits an offence, we want to reform and rehabilitate them, there are correctional facilities available.
"Keeping a child in prison traumatises him or her, we don't want children in our prisons, no child should be kept in prison for even an hour," Idowu said.
Mr Adeniji Kazeem , the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, also reiterated that the state government had a zero tolerance for the incarceration of minors.
Speaking through Mrs Funlola Odunlami, the Solicitor – General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Kazeem restated:""On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we do not permit this.
"We will see what we can do to stop this problem, the government can be contacted through the OPD, Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development or call 112 which is a toll-free number."
In her remarks, Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, said the House would find solutions to the problem of incarceration of juveniles.
"Mr speaker said I should say today that the problem of keeping children here is something that should not be tolerated.
"When you leave here today, you should not come back here as a repeat offender, as a mother and a legislator; I don't condone the ill-treatment of children.
"We love you and urge you to go on the right path and do not commit crime again," she said.
Mr Odunlami Anjorin, a Director in the Ministry of Youths and Social Development, said the ministry has adequate facilities for the rehabilitation of the children.
"Much has been said about the Child Rights Law, the law is our guiding principle and the welfare of the children is the mandate of the Ministry.
"The Ministry frowns at any form of child abuse, subjecting children to unnecessary harm and injury which is happening here.
"We have facilities that deal with these situations and social workers who enlighten the public about the rights of children.
"We are taking the right step and this will send a necessary signal to the public that the rights of children should not be trampled upon," Anjorin said.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote said the Nigeria oil and gas industry has set 2027 as target to domesticate the full capacity and capability required for the integration of Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSO).
Wabote, who stated this at the public hearing conducted by the Joint Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream and Gas in Abuja, said the new target for the industry follows from the successful in-country fabrication of six modules of the Total Egina FPSO and scheduled integration of the modules on the FPSO at the SHI-MCI yard in Lagos in September 2017, the first time these feats would happen in Nigeria.
The FPSO is the biggest component of deep water oil and gas project and the fabrication and integration of the modules at any location spurs multi-dimensional development and creates thousands of jobs.
Another major target of the Board, according to Wabote, is to establish a Local Content Bank of Nigeria "to focus on establishment of facilities for domiciliation of services with emphasis on optimal use of local resource input."
Speaking on the achievements of the Board, Wabote confirmed that Nigerian Content activities recorded six million training man hours and is now able to retain $5 billion in the local economy from the annual $20 billion industry expenditure, which wholly ended up in foreign economies in the past.
He stated that 36 percent of the marine vessels operating in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry were now owned by indigenous players, a marked improvement from total foreign domination of the industry before the implementation of the Act.
Wabote cited the establishment of five world class fabrication yards as another evidence of Nigerian Content implementation, adding that "today, Nigeria is able to handle 60,000 metric tones of fabrication in-country."
He also mentioned the local manufacture of barites which is required for crude oil drilling operations, noting that NCDMB worked with the industry to support the establishment of a mechanized plant in Benue State for barites mining and beneficiation.
On the Nigerian Content Development Fund, NCDF, the Executive Secretary said that international oil companies comply reasonably in remitting one percent of the value of their contracts but some service companies and indigenous operating firms default in their payment.
He regretted that the impact of Local Content in the oil and gas sector had not been sufficiently linked to other sectors of the economy and canvassed for the support of key government agencies in deepening Local Content in the country.
Also speaking, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, represented by Senator, Ahmed Lawan, Leader of the Senate, highlighted the importance of Local Content in economic development, adding that full implementation would help create employment and grow the national economy.
He explained that the National Assembly was keen to ensure that oil and gas companies comply with the Nigerian Content Act.
