The aftermath of a case of alleged sexual harassment of a female non-commissioned officer (NCO) by a fellow officer is rocking the South Korean Air Force.

Air Force Chief of Staff, Lee Seong Yong, offered his resignation on Friday.

He felt responsible for the circumstances of the case, Lee announced in a statement.

President Moon Jae-In accepted the resignation, according to his office.

The NCO was found dead in May. Investigators assumed that she had committed suicide.

The soldiers family accuses her superiors of trying to cover up the case.

Earlier on June 2, a military court issued a warrant for the arrest of an air force officer who allegedly molested the NCO in her car on the way to the joint base in the western city of Seosan.

The case was about three months old by then.

The woman with the rank of sergeant had reported the incident, but her superiors had urged her to reach an agreement with the accused, according to South Korean media reports.

They had also not fully informed the Defence Ministry about the case.

On June 3, two of the soldiers former superiors were relieved of their official duties, the news agency Yonhap reported.

They were to be investigated for neglect of duty and attempted coercion.
Moon had called for a thorough investigation into the case.

Source: NAN News

Taiwan thanked both Japan and the United States for the timely offer of COVID-19 vaccines on Fridayas coronavirus cases on the island exceeded 10,000.

The Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) on Friday announced 474 new cases and 21 related deaths.

Since the pandemic began, Taiwan has confirmed a total of 10,446 cases, including 9,248 locally transmitted ones; the related death toll had reached 187.

The island of 23.6 million people with a vaccination rate lower than 3 per cent on Friday saw the arrival of 1.24 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, shipped by Japan Airlines JL 809 directly from Tokyo.

We deeply appreciate it,CECCchief, Chen Shih-chung,told a news conference, displaying a big board saying THANK YOUto Japan.

President Tsai Ing-wen said on Facebook that Taiwan was grateful for receiving the timely assistance on June 4 from Japan, a partner sharing the same values of freedom and democracy, referring to the Tiananmen massacre on June 4, 1989, in China.

Tsai on May 26 slammed China for blocking Taiwans deal with the German pharmaceutical firm BioNTech for supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Tsaialso thanked the United States.

According to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which acts as the de facto U.S. embassy, Taiwan will be included in the first tranche of the more than 80 million COVID-19 vaccines the U.S. will share.

With the strong partnership our countries share, we know well be there for each other in times of need, Tsai tweeted.

In a speech, Tsai said Taiwan would continue to communicate with other countries in order to secure more stable supplies of vaccines. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has seized 373 vehicles with expired vehicle documents, old number plates and without drivers license in Kaduna State.

The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Hafiz Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the seizure was made during a joint operation in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria.

He added that 252 vehicles were seized in Kaduna, 41 in Kafanchan and 80 in Zaria.

Mohammed stressed the need for motorists to register their vehicles and acquire new number plates.

We still have cases of motorists with unregistered vehicle papers, including tricycles and motorcycles still ply our roads and perpetrate crimes unnoticed.

If a registered vehicle is used to commit, a crime, we can easily trace the person by logging onto our ur database, using addresses of violators.

The defaulters are given ample time to acquire the new number plates, drivers license and renew their expired vehicles particulars, he said.

Muhammed said the joint operation would be sustained and thanked stakeholders involved in the exercise for their cooperation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Onyegbula

Rev. Yakubu Pam, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has urged the Federal Government to initiate dialogue with various groups to douse tension in the country.

Pam gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

NAN reports that while some groups have called for secession or restructuring, others called for a new constitution to reflect the wishes and aspirations of every zone in the country.

Pam, however, said that dialogue was the only way out of the present predicament the country had found itself.

He said that solutions might not be found to the various arguments and agitations by different groups unless the people came together for discussions.

Yes, government is doing a lot in terms of releasing funds and making sure security personnel are covered but it is not enough to release funds and provide names of people who occupy those offices in the security architecture.

Supervision and assessment are very important; our security agencies need to do more because the civil society and some of us are not satisfied with what is going on, he said.

Pam said that civil society seemed to lay complaints more without proffering solutions.

That is not good for our country.

I believe that once we are laying complaints, we should be able to help the government in its policy, advice and tell them what we think should be done, instead of just condemning.

We should be able to bring out some reasonable advice, he said.

According to Pam, the elites including President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Sultan of Sokoto have very big roles to play in ensuring that things do not degenerate.

We need engagement. We cannot just speak and go. Engagement with the civil society should be activated at the grassroots, possibly the six geo-political zones.

We have those representing the senatorial districts at the National Assembly and the Senate. They should be able to engage with the people and hear from them and know what to do.

From the Federal level, let there be engagement. Some of us at the peace level are already moving on engagement in the six geo-political zones.

People are heavy with so many things on their minds.

And if we do not channel the strength of the youths into good ventures and give them hope, they can use it to destroy all that we have built, he said.

Pam said he had trust in the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari to transform the country for the better.

He called on the government to give traditional rulers a role in the constitution as they had direct contact with the people on a daily basis. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated his Bayelsa counterpart, Sen. Douye Diri as he clocks 62 years.

The governors felicitation is conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Friday in Asaba.

He lauded Diri for his tremendous contributions through service, to the development of his state and country.

According to Okowa, since Diri came into the saddle of governance in Bayelsa, Yenagoa, the capital and other parts of the state have witnessed remarkable improvements in infrastructure and aesthetics.

He commended the governor for his determination in making a difference in the state, including assiduous work toward achieving Universal Health Coverage for Bayelsans.

I must commend you my dear brother governor for your already acknowledged accomplishments in the development of your state in the short time you have held sway.

I am aware of your efforts at ensuring that the Bayelsa Airport becomes operational to give Bayelsans the opportunity to have aviation services instead of travelling to Port-Harcourt and Owerri for such service.

Your Excellency, it is worthy of note that you are delivering universal health coverage and improving health facilities for the people of Bayelsa, and I must commend you for that.

Your selfless and impressive start as governor of Bayelsa has already distinguished you as an emerging nationalist and one to look out for in the emerging political firmament in our country.

I must also acknowledge your unwavering commitment to the course of the South-South region, especially as we contend with prevailing challenges in the region and country.

On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a gentleman of honour and integrity, a consummate politician and budding nationalist, Senator Douye Diri, on his 62nd birth anniversary.

I am extremely proud of your great achievements in the short time you have led your state.

I urge you to continue using your God-given exalted position to render service conscientiously to your people.

On this auspicious occasion of your birth anniversary, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked by divine favour and sterling attainments, Okowa added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

Mr Chuks Wabara, the Executive Chairman, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia has urged the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) to help in the promotion of Akwete fabric through its entrepreneurship programmes.

Wabara in a statement on Friday in Umuahia by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Williams, made the appealduring a courtesy visit to the management of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akwete people in Ukwa East LGA are well recognised in the knitting of Akwete fabric hence it was named after them.

Wabara urged the university to assist the council in its promotion by sustaining the technical knowledge in the production so that it would not go into extinction.

He suggested that the university could further assist in promoting the local fabrics by establishing a showroom in its Fine Arts Department.

Wabara, who led a delegation of his cabinet, also presented a proposal for the establishment of the Ukwa campus of the university in the council area.

The council area is endowed with tableland, water, ambient environment and humid temperature that could encourage learning.

The essence of the visit is to also extend a hand of partnership to the schools agricultural department as the council is blessed with Abia Palm plantation, he said.

The plantation, he said was capable of providing an inexhaustible supply of crude palm oil for commercial and industrial uses as well as creating jobs.

The visit is an opportunity to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maxwell Ogbulu, who is from the council area on his well-deserved appointment into the prestigious position, Wabara said.

He described it as a huge favour by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to the people of Ukwa.

In his response, the vice-chancellor thanked the delegation and believed that the visit would create a synergy between ABSU and Ukwa land.

He also promised that the university would look at the proposals to see how the ideas couldbe translated into reality one after the other.

NAN reports that as a show of support, the vice chancellor was decorated with Akwete fabric and other gifts were presented to him. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

According to him, the mileage attained by the most great economies today is tied to the huge investments on technology and innovations.

We need to think and act fast in investing in our universities and other tertiary institutions toward that direction.

If we should do things right, the frustrations that have hung over our institutions, especially the universities, will disappear.

On our part, we shall continue to support research works and innovations in our tertiary institutions as this is what drives national development, he said.

The executive secretary lamented that the traditional appropriation funding window for public universities in the country had failed the nation.

Bogoro noted that for universities to effectively carry out their mandate of teaching, research and community development, there must be enhanced funding.

The dwindling revenue in the country has posed serious threat to these institutions and therefore, emphasises the need for us to do more in driving and supporting research and development.

The TETFund boss who was the guest lecturer commended UNILAG for its research efforts, noting that it had rightfully earned its place as one of Africas best in that space.

Universty of Lagos is the best performer on the National Research Fund grant. They have been very persistent and I want to say that the quality of leadership in this university has made all these possible.

It takes a serious academic to believe in research and go ahead to win grants. We will continue to support focused leadership in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, Bogoro said.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the primary

He said the school had since grown in leaps and bounds with more than 15,000 registered students on its various programmes for the session.

the

due to dwindling resources of government in recent times

Earlier, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies of the university, Prof. Alabi Soneye, said while higher education remained a paramount source of knowledge, qualitative research remained the veritable tool in the development and advancement of society.

Source: NAN News

By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigerian Bar Association, Imo branch, has set up a help desk to collate data of persons allegedly arrested and detained unjustly by the police in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the associations Publicity Secretary, Uzor Enwere, in Owerri on Thursday.

According to the statement, the help desk is aimed at addressing issues of wanton arrest and detention of innocent residents of Imo with a view to ensuring their release.

He stated that the Bars Committee on Human Rights would coordinate the desk at the Bar Centre and complaints received would be taken up with the appropriate quarters.

Considering that the courts are not sitting, the help desk will collate the names of innocent persons unjustly arrested and detained for the purpose of securing their release.

This approach is dictated by the precarious security situation in Imo at the moment, which has the semblance of war situation.

The outcome of our interactions reveal that there is more to the situation than meets the eye, Enwere stated.
He added that the help desk would open by 10am from June 4 at the Bar Centre.

He listed the help desk phone lines to include 08035251755, 08035512622 and 08035512622. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Owolewa

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquire, on Thursday described the Esie Museum in Kwara as a wonderful discovery that is of a world class tourist attraction.

Pasquire said this in Esie, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, shortly after his tour of the Museum alongside Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, where an asphalt road leading to the historical site was also inaugurated.

I am very happy to be here. I have never heard of Esie Museum before. It is really a wonderful discovery. It is a world class museum, which deserves to be well-known across the world, the envoy declared.

Pasquire promised to encourage France nationals to visit the museum for various artefacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, and historical importance.

I shall try to inform many people from France and I can advise them to come here to see this museum.

Even with the new road that the governor just commissioned will help people to come and see this museum. It is very unique in this region and even in the world. It can be a world class tourist attraction in Kwara, he said.

On his two-day visit to the state, the French ambassador said he was impressed with the developmental strides of the AbdulRazaq administration in the last two years.

Within my two days of visit, I have seen so many new projects. I was impressed when I saw projects on rural development, the innovation hub, Ilorin Visual Arts Centre and we also saw some technical institutes.

We saw the big BUA Sugar Company in the north of the state. What is important for Nigeria is more projects and more development, and I am very impressed with what I saw here, he said.

AbdulRazaq had earlier explained that the construction of the Esie Museum road was part of the administrations integrated approach to engineer socio-economic and cultural development to make Kwara the new investment destination.

National Museum Esie is a federal government project. What we have done is to construct a new road leading to it.

This will also encourage more people to visit and open the economic space. We will be working with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture under Alhaji Lai Muhammad to make sure the right infrastructure is put in place and existing facilities upgraded, he said.

This is the first museum in Nigeria and from today onward it will be more known that Esie is on global map. That is the whole idea.

AbdulRazaq commended the French ambassador for his interest in attracting tourists to Esie Museum and other partnerships with the state government.

We thank the French Ambassador to Nigeria for leaving the highway and come down to Esie personally to see what is here, the governor said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Lynda Ikpeazu, member of the ECOWAS Parliament representing Nigeria, has told the Parliament that Nigeria has not lost control in the fight against insecurity and is determined to ending the menace.

Ikpeazu made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the ongoing Extraordinary Session of the Parliament, responding to recommendations for a concerted regional effort to assist Nigeria fight the insecurity ravaging the country.

Ikpeazu, who appreciated Members of Parliament for their concerns, said that Nigeria was exploring all measures with high level of determination to fight terrorism, banditry and other forms of violence.

She said that insecurity in the region was not peculiar to Nigeria, stating that the nation had a stable political situation.

Nigeria is determined to solve the insecurity confronting the country and several efforts are ongoing.

We are, however, not too big to get help from anyone and I am not the Executive so I cannot speak on that.

Nigeria is not the only country in the region facing insecurity and we are not just folding our hands, there are serious efforts ongoing in the fight against insecurity, Ikpeazu said.

Ikpeazu noted that insecurity was a ripple effect of bad governance, poverty and human rights violation and that was why the Nigerian National Assembly had taken steps of its constitution amendment to address triggers of insecurity.

She said that the House of Representative convened a summit of the Constitution amendment to get the input of all Nigerians in the process,

The National Assembly is holding public hearing across the country to get the suggestions from the Nigerian people on the best ways to govern the country.

This will enable us to get the views and contributions of Nigeria to constitution process which would in turn make them have a feeling of inclusiveness in the process.

Nigeria has definitely not lost control, we have a situation and we are working tirelessly towards addressing it, Ikpeazu added.

Mr Francis Alimikhena, another Nigerian representative at the ECOWAS Parliament said that Nigeria had taken several steps which had yielded positive results in the fight against terrorism.

Alimikhena, however, noted that a collaborated joint-border approach would further help Nigeria and the region in winning the war against terror as most of the insurgents were habouring in neigbouring countries.

If we get the cooperation of other neighbouring countries then we can be sure to win in the fight.

Because most of the terrorism elements when they are being fought from Nigeria, habour and begin to operate from bordering countries.

The Nigerian government and the military have been responsive, that is why when Nigerians clamoured for change of Service Chiefs, they were changed.

And with the way the new Service Chiefs are going we are sure that the war in the North/East will soon be a thing of the past, Alimikhena said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News