Daily Archives: Mar 4, 2013

Use Right Attitudes To Contribute For The Nation’s Development – NOA DG

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerian youths to make positive contributions in the development of the country by displaying the right attitudes.

Mr Mike Omeri, Director-General (D-G) of the agency, made the call while receiving the ‘Save Africa Integrity Legacy Network International’ team in Abuja on Monday.

The NOA D-G, who was represented by Mr David Akoji, the Technical Assistant of the agency, said the agency was passionate about youths and the society.

He added that the “Do the right thing” campaign of the agency was launched to eradicate societal vices in the country.

Omeri expressed the readiness of the agency to collaborate with the team in their programmes because their aims and objectives were inter-related with those of the agency.

He called on all Nigerians to be ambassadors of change and evangelists of hope by doing the right thing and supporting the programmes and policies of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr Shagari Dogo, President of the network, lauded NOA for its orientation programme and the awareness it was creating on government's activities in the country.

Dogo said that the NOA boss was identified by the organisation as a beacon of hope and a guiding light to the next generation of leaders because of the various re-orientation programmes of the agency.

He said that the presentation of the award to Omeri was also in recognition of his integrity, hard-work and contributions to the society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omeri was presented with an honorary award as an Icon of Africa Integrity by the organisation.(NAN)

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Court Remands 8 In SARS Custody For Alleged Armed Robbery

An Ibadan Chief Magistrates' Court on Monday ordered eight armed robbery suspects to be remanded in the custody of  the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) until the next adjourned date on March 12.

The suspects are Sikiru Obawemimo, 37, Gbenga White, 22; Mutiu Saka, 22 and Tajudeen Eniola, 21.

Others are Saheed Yusuf, 25, Adeoyo Moruf, 25; Abiodun Jimoh, 28 and Kemi Adebowale, 19.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kehinde Tijani, ordered that the defendants be remanded in the SARS custody pending the proof of duplication of the case file.

Tijani said that when the proof of duplication of the case file at the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice was provided, the accused persons would then be remanded in prison.

The Prosecutor, Mrs Olookoba Bola, told the court that the suspects were facing eight-count charge incuding conspiracy, armed- robbery, receiving and unlawful possession.

Bola said that the accused were armed with a gun when they allegedly robbed a cell phone valued at N5,000; recharge cards valued at N30,000 and N8,000 cash belonging to one Romoke Bamigbade.

She further added that the defendants also stole a cell phone valued at N25, 000 and N15, 000 cash, property of one Ogunmola Adeola while armed with a gun.

Bola said that other items stolen were a necklace, valued at N85, 500, cell phone, valued at N5, 500 and N50, 000 cash belonging to Mercy Okon.

She added further that the accused were allegedly in possession of a locally-made double barreled gun and eight live cartridges during the alleged robbery.

She said that the offences contravened sections 6(b), 1; (2), 5 and 27 of Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The pleas of the defendants were, however, not taken and the case was adjourned to March 12. (NAN)

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Plateau Govt. Warns Residents Against Building On Flood-prone Areas

As Nigeria awaits the rainy season, the Plateau Government on Monday urged residents to desist from building on flood-prone areas to avoid a repeat of the disaster witnessed in 2012.

``Some people have gone back to rebuilding their houses on the same spot where they have been washed away by the July, August and September, 2012 flood, Information Commissioner Abraham Yiljap told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

``This is why we are using this medium to enlighten our people that there is the need for them to move away from water ways and flood-prone areas because we don’t want to lose more lives.

``We urge all those affected and other residents to move to higher grounds and as well as to work  with the Local Governments, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) so as not to have a repeat of the 2012 experience,’’ he pleaded

The commissioner said the government was showing increased concerns towards the plight of the 2012 flood-disaster victims towards alleviating their sufferings.

Yiljap said he was satisfied with  the awareness generated by the SEMA, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the State Government.

 ``We are confident the people of Plateau State will cooperate with us so that, together, we can ensure our safety,'' he said. (NAN)

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First Bank Introduces N100 Monthly Charge On ATM Withdrawals

First Bank customers using the Automated Teller Machines for cash withdrawals are to pay N100 monthly, with effect from this month, according to a notice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Abuja on Monday that the notice for the new charge captioned, ``Card Maintenance Fee,” was displayed on some ATM machines in the city.

The notice reads: ``Dear valued customer, in order to serve you better, from March 2013, a monthly N100 card maintenance fee will be charged for all cash withdrawals within the month.’’

Some customers who spoke with NAN, however, condemned the introduction and called for sanctions from the regulatory body.

Mr Joshua Abraham, a trader, said it was unfortunate that First Bank should introduce such a charge.

``I did not even notice, but if that is the case, they want to discourage us.

Mrs Uju  Nwanze, a legal practitioner, said the CBN should stop the charge.

`` This is another way to get back the N100 charges they just stopped recently on use of ATM cards.

``These banks are good at exploiting people, they did not even give prior notice like sending text messages.''

Also, Ejiro Fidel, a civil servant, said First Bank should not copy the new generation banks to rip off customers.

``They did not even care to inform their customers about this development, this is unlike them. Civil servants use First Bank a lot because we believe they are better than most of these new banks.

``What maintenance are they doing on the card, this is very wrong and I hope that those in charge would stop them from doing so.

``I think that they should focus on how to encourage customers to use the card than discouraging them. This new charge is really anti-customer friendly,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that the Bankers' Committee meeting of November 2012, scrapped the N100 interbank charge on use of ATM cards.

NAN also reports that First Bank had on February 11, increased its charges on interbank money transfer, against moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria for a downward review of bank charges on customers. (NAN)

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WHO Seeks Partnership With Jigawa Govt. On Polio

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday called for closer working collaboration with the Jigawa Government in the campaign against polio.

The WHO Coordinator in the state, Dr Sani Maiwada, made the call at the inauguration of the second round of the 2013 State Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) in Babura, Jigawa.

Maiwada said such working collaboration was necessary to deal with the issue of vaccines' rejection and other challenges militating against sustainable campaign activities against the disease.

“We strongly look forward to expanding our partnership with the state government and continuing collaboration on this front.

``WHO and other polio eradication partners reiterate our commitment and support to the government and the people of the state toward stopping polio.

“We shall mobilise all resources at our disposal to fight the upsurge of polio to the finish this year.”

He commended the state government on its programme designed to mobilise participation in the polio campaign, adding that, the trend had controlled transmission of the disease in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Jigawa Government had targeted 1.3 million children for immunisation against polio in the ongoing immunisation in the state. (NAN)

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