FRSC official on Duty

Ikuru Lizzy

Rivers Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has pledged to collaborate with Save a Life Foundation towards ensuring mental and overall wellbeing for drivers to curtail road accidents related deaths.

The state Sector Commander, Corps Commandant Salisu Galadunchi, made the pledge during a health enlightenment lecture organised by the foundation for staff of the command on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

In his lecture, Dr Richard Okoye, CEO/President of the foundation, revealed that most road accidents and related deaths were preventable as they were usually caused by reckless driving and use of intoxicant by drivers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Based on WHO premises, we are therefore, seeking for a collaboration with the FRSC to enhance testing and certification for drivers before allowing them to drive on Nigerian roads.

This measure would indeed boost safety on our roads, Okoye said.

Galadunchi applauded the foundation for its contributions toward promoting good health, adding that the foundations message of health would be appropriately channeled to respective authorities.

He added that the massage on health as propagated by the foundation was in accordance with the Corps 2020 strategic goal initiatives.

He said that part of the 2020 initiative was to minimise the risk of death in road traffic related occurrences.

This health enlightenment programme is clearly in line with guiding policy for the Corps Marshals where staff of 40 years and above are directed to undergo compulsory medical checks.

I urge us all to give more attention to matters of our health by keying into the mission and vision of the Save a life Foundation, he said.

Galadunchi also advised staff of the command to engage in regular medical checks to enhance healthy lifestyle.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Policemen on duty

By Deborah Coker

Security Agencies in Edo on Sunday reassured Edo residents of their commitment to ensure that the Sept. 19 governorship election was peaceful and violence free.

The reassurance was given during the day two of the inter agencies combined exercise, tagged Inter Agencies Show of Force.

SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo Command who spoke to newsmen, said that the reassurance was imperative in order to allay fears by the electorate.

Nwabuzor said that with just six days to the election, political tension in the state had been heightened and there was the need to give confidence to residents.

He urged residents to be rest assured that the security agencies were up in their task of protecting and securing their lives, adding that they should come out on Saturday to vote for candidate of their choice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security agencies which participated in the exercise include the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service, and the Directorate of State Services.

Others were the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Air force, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

NAN also reports that areas monitored during the exercise include GRA, Ugbor area, Oliha/TV road axis, Ikpoba hill, Benin-Agbor-Asaba road axis.

Other areas were Sapele Road, Sokponba Road, Erediawa Road, and Murtala Mohammed way.

Ikpoba slope/Ramat park, Aduwawa Road, Upper mission extension, New Benin, New Lagos Road, Boundary road, Airport road, Akenzua road, Ekenhua road and the Uselu/Lagos Road were also covered again. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) President Adetola Olubajo

By Olanrewaju Akojede

As African countries continue to stem the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) says it plans a N6.8 million (about R300,000) relief package for Nigerians whose businesses were affected by lockdown.

The President of NUSA, Mr Adetola Olubajo, who made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone, said the decision was reached at the unions 2020 National Congress with theme: Post-COVID-19 Survival of Small Business.

Olubajo said the theme of the congress held virtually was inspired by the need to assist people, small businesses who were adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

He said that the number of people who would come forward for such an assistance would determine how many would benefit within the available fund.

Olubajo said that NUSA had set up an Economic Team for the purpose, headed by Mr Matthew Okafor, an IT Security Consultant with Concept254 Digital.

We intend to raise N6.8 million (about R300,000) from private individuals within our community, mostly from our members of Board of Trustee.

The mobilisation of fund has started and from next month we will be collecting applications from members of our community who are adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

Petty traders are our main target as majority of them do not have access to government relief package. Some of them dont even have bank accounts, so its impossible for them to get loans from financial institutions, he told NAN.

He added that the relief programme would be spread across the nine provinces of South Africa but would be centrally coordinated by the National Secretariat of NUSA in Pretoria.

We are ready to collaborate with either government and or cooperate bodies that are willing to assist our people.

We have no collaboration for now but we are open to collaboration with any willing organisation or government, Olubajo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Policemen

By Oladapo Udom

The Lagos State Police Command has deployed 1,000 officers to complement other security personnel drafted for the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 19.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by the Commands Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Adejobi said that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu admonished officers from the Command to be of good conduct and exhibit professionalism in discharging their duties during the election.

He further reiterated the commitment of the IGP to sustain the core values of democracy in Nigeria via fair, free and credible elections, the police spokesman said.

Odumosu said that adequate incentives and welfare packages as approved by the IGP had been provided to encourage and boost the morale of the officers detailed for the special duty.

The CP enjoined the officers to protect themselves and avoid any acts capable of denting the image of the Force and truncating the peaceful conduct of the election in Edo State, the statement said (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rape cases now rampant

By Usman Aliyu

The Police Command in Kwara says it has prosecuted 20 alleged rape suspects within the last six months.

Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the alleged rape cases happened between February and August.

SP Okasanmi, who spoke on the sideline of a round-table meeting organised by the International Women Communication Centre (IWCC) to discuss gender issues and accountability, said that the command was not handling cases of rape with levity.

The police spokesman, who presented a paper on the role of security agencies in the prevention of Gender Based Violence (SBV), told NAN that the command was rated high in the country handling of sexual offences.

I can tell you that Kwara is rated high in the country in the issue of fighting rape and other gender based violence.
In the recent time, we have charged more than 20 people to court over this issue of rape.

Before, people tend to compound the issue of rape based on the fact that we are family; he is my cousin; we are from the same community.

So, we encourage ladies who have suffered indecent assault to report it.

Ordinary touching of a lady on an improper part of the body, should be reported because from there, it can graduate to any other thing.

So we are not taking it lightly and the Commissioner of Police is strongly against such occurrences, he said.

Okasanmi said victims of gender based violence have to know that it was a criminal offence, hence the need to report to the police appropriately.

He added that the era of marital maltreatment was over as any husband found beating his wife or children would not be spared.

According to him, a unit has been created at every state police command to handle the case of gender based violence.

Initially in those days, you see people beating their wives and children mercilessly and at the end of the day, they tell you she is my wife and I paid her dowry.

But now, people are aware of the crime and the police being the law enforcers know it is a crime whether its your wife or husband, Okasanmi said.

He asserted that with the current rate of help from gender based organisations, the issues of violence against women and children would soon become a thing of the past. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

DTH

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

A Direct-To-Home (DTH) free TV broadcast satellite service provider, OurTV, has secured broadcast rights for Laliga matches beginning today.

Mr Olushola Peters, Head of Marketing of OurTV, speaking on the development, said the organisations partnership with Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in 2015 enabled the broadcast right.

According to Peters, with the securing of the broadcast rights, OurTV will now be broadcasting Laliga Santander Matches LIVE on Our Sports Channel 120.

The partnership is part of the fulfilment of one of the promises made to our esteemed OurTv users and sports lovers, who have constantly been demanding for Live Matches.

This is one major milestone for OurTv and we want to thank our esteemed users, who have always believed and supported us.

We value your input and suggestions as it is a core culture in OurTv to listen and please our viewers as much as we can.

You asked for it. You now have it. Congratulations to us all. This is the beginning and it can only get better, he added.

Peters also said that OurTV being indigenously developed, was encouraging broadcast satellite services across the country with added benefits.

OurTV do not have monthly subscription for the TV and it is targeted at every Nigerian home, offices and businesses.

OurTV is unique in so many ways, it is Nigerian, aggregated in Nigeria and transmitting on Nigerian satellite, it is being received on a decoder made in Nigeria by Nigerians.

OurTV has a Unique Value Proposition, which every Nigerian, home, family and business will be proud to associate with.

Every Nigerian home needs OurTV for entertainment, relaxation, news, education, kids, sports and for everything you value from Television, said the marketing head.

OurTV is a Direct-To-Home (DTH) TV broadcast satellite service with onetime payment of set-up boxes that offers over 18 unique and exciting channels with the use of homegrown services.

The company had entered a partnership with NigComsat in 2015, leading to the use of NigComSat facility. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways, Captain Paul Mamman Thahal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Late Thahal served meritoriously as Captain of Gen. Yakubu Gowons Presidential Flight for nine years.

He also supported the former Head of State in setting up the national spiritual platform, Nigeria Prays.

The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, commiserated with Gowon over the loss of a good friend, confidant and prayer partner.

Buhari sympathised with Thahals wife, Mrs Atsa Thahal and daughter, Dr Adzira Thahal as well as all former members of staff of Nigeria Airways and entire aviation industry.

The president believed the resonating testimonies from the life of the former Vice Chairman of Nigeria Prays Organisation had clearly shown a man dedicated to promoting the kingdom of God on earth.

He also lauded the deceased for committing himself to the virtues of practical Christianity like generosity, humility and selfless service.

He prayed that the Almighty God would remember his professional and spiritual investments in the country, and beyond, grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Edo 2020: We need peaceful election, say Edo youth

By Monday Ajogun

Hundreds of Edo youth, under the aegis of Esan central youth force, on Saturday defied the heavy rain and took to the streets of Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area, to demand for peaceful election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the protesters, bore placards with various inscriptions such as we dont want violence, we want peace.

They took their protest to the palace of Onojie of Irrua, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Williams Momodu II, Irrua police division as well as the Area Command in Irrua.

The Spokesman for the protesters, Mr Eigbe Osazele, told newsmen that the area in the state had been enjoying peaceful times in previous elections and that the Sept. 19, polls should not be different.

According to him, the recent attacks on the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman in the local government, Mr Michael Anakaso, and the Councils Boss, Prof. Waziri Edokpa, is condemnable.

He requested the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks.

I want all the security agencies to wake up to the challenge and make sure that those involved in the brazen acts are brought to book within the next 48 hours.

We dont want to resort to self defence when we still have the security agencies whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property.

We are sending this message to the Inspector-General of police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, and the Director of the State Service to rise up to their responsibilities.

We are peaceful and law abiding citizens, he said.

Addressing the protesters at his palace, the Onojie of Irrua thanked them for being law abiding and conducting their protest in a peaceful manner.

Dont take to violence, dont allow people to confuse you, vote for the person you know will give you quality leadership.

Dont allow people to buy your conscience with money.

As you can see we dont have water and road in this community, its only this election period we see them, and they will be busy later.

Those that are promoting violence should bring their children, said the traditional ruler.

Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer in Irrua, Okoro Henry, assured the protesters that the police would ensure the protection of lives and propert before, during and after the election.

Okoro called on all citizens to go about their lawful business, adding that the police have the capacity to provide security for them. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File photo: 50 killed in DR Congo mine collapse

No fewer than 50 people were killed after a gold mine collapsed in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local authorities said on Saturday.

The accident occurred on Friday in the town of Kamituga in South Kivu Province, following days of heavy rain.

The cause of the landslide is currently under investigation.

Provincial Governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi confirmed in a statement on Saturday that majority of the victims were young people, including children.

Rescuers are continuing to identify the dead and provide assistance.

Local media quoted a survivor as saying that more than 50 people had been in the three shafts, which water had poured in to.

Kamituga Mayor, Alexandre Bundya, decreed a two-day mourning period and called on local residents to help rescuers extract bodies from the ground.

The South Kivu province records landslides every year due to artisanal mining activities in several communities. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Osagie Ize-Iyamu APC candidate for Edo Governorship election

By Joy Odigie

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo governorship election, has promised to transform Okada town to a University hub if elected.

Ize-Iyamu made the promise on Saturday at Okada town, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state, during his ward-to-ward campaign tour of the area.

He appreciated the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for founding a University in the locality which he said had opened up the area for economic activities.

He promised to complement the efforts of Chief Igbinedion in making life more comfortable for the residents of the area.

I will construct more roads, open up this area for more development, provide water and aid farmers to become more productive and resourceful.

Our goal is to transform the university town to a University City

On his part, former governor of Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, expressed his gratitude to the people for their large turnout at the event.

He decried alleged neglect of the area in the last four years as there was no new project there since he left office as governor of the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Samson Osagie, the Director-General, APC campaign council for Edo South, said he was impressed with the support the party was getting throughout the state.

Osagie expressed optimism that APC would win the Sept. 19, governorship election in Edo.

He restated that Ize-Iyamu was the best candidate in the upcoming election in the state.

Osagie assured that the APC candidate would not disappoint the people if elected, describing him as a man with the fear of God. (NAN)

Source: NAN News