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     The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that the Federal Government is in talks with Governor Godwin Obaseki on how to improve federal roads in the state. The Minister who disclosed this during a book presentation at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo, Benin City, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will work to improve the experience of commuters plying the roads  daily. "Work on roads is a continuous process and we will make it better," he said, promising to form strong alliance with the state government to address the bad spots. The Minister said the problem with the Benin-Auchi Road was how to drain some portions of the road so that the construction work on the road can stand the test of time, adding, "The problem that we have is how to drain the affected section before we spend money to construct it. It is a drainage problem. We want to ensure that when we build the road, water doesn't wash it away."

      The Management of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, Nasarawa State, says it has dismissed 10 of its staff recently over financial misconduct. Dr Hassan Ikrama, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen on Thursday in Lafia. According to him, the affected staff were dismissed for various offences including stealing, diversion of funds and sabotage. "Some of them are engaging in stealing of blood from blood bank and selling same to private hospitals to diverting money meant for the hospital. "Some are using the facilities of the hospital to carryout investigation in the laboratory and put the money for the charges in their private pockets," he added. He noted that all the dismissed staff were tried and found culpable by the committee set up to look into their matter. He said that when he was appointed as the CMD of the hospital, he discovered that the hospital was rotten with leakages in

       The EFCC, Lagos office, on Thursday, November 14, 2019, re-arraigned one Samusideen Babafemi Sarumi, owners of 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited and Splash Off Entertainment Limited, before Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on felony to commit mon ey laundering and money laundering to the tune of N209million (Two Hundred and Nine Million Naira) only. The defendant who was earlier arraigned by the EFCC, November 4, 2019 was alleged to have been involved in computer related fraud across the world. He was also alleged to have taken possession of eight vehicles valued at N135 million and a Boat valued at N104 million, which were reasonably suspected to be part of proceeds of an organized crimes across the world.

      By Jimin Geoffrey Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday inaugurated chairmen and members of the Benue State Hospitals Management Board, Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Primary Health Care Board and the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC. The Governor while inaugurating the chairmen and members of the Boards at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House Makurdi, urged them to imbibe the virtues of transparency, accountability, equity, justice, fairness, selflessness, forgiveness and restitution among others in the discharge of their duties. He stated that the previous boards performed at their lowest ebb and charged the newly inaugurated to live up to their expectations, even as he pledged his support to enable them succeed. The Governor congratulated the Board Chairmen and members for the opportunity to serve the state in their various capabilities, stressing that they should work hard to improve service delivery in their various agencies for th

By Vincent O Ezechukwu. In continuation of the Clampdown on illegal community children homes in the state, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, has this time around uncovered a suspected labour camp where children age between two to fifteen are kept in a filthy environment and subjected to back breaking farm work at poultry,  fishery and piggery, in a home registered as orphanage. The home located at Enugu Agidi was discovered during the ongoing inspection of orphanages in Anambra State by the taskforce, led by the Honorable Commissioner. It was discovered that, the children numbering about 23, were brought to the center by their parents with the hope they are getting education. The honorable commissioner, on seeing the unconducive and filthy environment where the children are kept, subsequently arrested the home manager and rescued the children who gave the names of their communities and pleaded to be reunited with their families.

      The Presidency welcomes the elucidation of the Supreme Court ruling on the PDP petition. It reiterates that the onus of proof must necessarily fall on those that challenge the vote. Allegations must be substantiated if they are to hold, and this requires producing credible witnesses that verify key claims. As the Supreme Court has stated, the case failed this test. On the issue of qualifications, President Buhari has a long history of service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The questioning of this fact seems to fly in the face of all evidence. However, now it is time for the PDP to take up the service mandated by this election. The legislative agenda of the ninth assembly is ambitious in both size and scope. It is critical the opposition is there to scrutinise bills and policies, rather than preoccupy themselves with unsustainable court cases. We appreciate the PDP and their candidate for taking these claims to courts rather than expressing them in other ways,

        ‪A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter has crashed on landing in Enugu after a routine flight today. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries to any crew member or persons on the ground.‬ The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to determine the cause(s) of the accident. The NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the   general public as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.‬ Details later. IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force

      The Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King has called on parents of primary school pupils to monitor the usage of social media platforms by their wards. Alawiye-King made the call on Thursday during a sensitisation programme organised by the Guidance and Counselling Department of LASUBEB on “The Effect of Social Media on A Growing Child” at Agidingbi Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos. While noting that it might not be totally possible to debar the pupils from using the internet, he maintained that parental involvement and control would help curb some social media-related vices that are now prevalent in society. The Chairman, represented at the event by the Board member of LASUBEB in charge of Special Duties, Mr. Dayo Israel, urged school pupils present at the programme to imbibe good behaviour as worthy ambassadors of the State. In her contribution, Mrs. Sherifat Sanusi Adedoyin, also a Board member of LASUBEB, said tha

      Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has paid an official familiarisation visit to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja. During the visit, Akinbile-Yussuf met with officials of the Commission, including its Ag. Chairman, Barr. Muhammad Mukhtar, saying the tour was to acquaint herself with the operations of NAHCON as well as discuss ways of improving Hajj activities in Nigeria. The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues relating to the Hajj exercise including medical screening, accommodation, media and publicity as well as ways of further strengthening pilgrimage processes in Nigeria. Akinbile-Yussuf expressed her appreciation to NAHCON officials, particularly the Director, Hajj Orientation, Dr. Tanko Alliu, for their efforts at ensuring the safe return of a 'depressed pilgrim' Alh. Mustapha Taiwo, who got missing in Saudi Arabia while performing the 2019 Holy Pilgrimage, noting that his safe retu

      The EFCC, Kano Zonal Office has secured the conviction of one Aminu Ahmed before Honorable Justice Sa’adatu Mark of the Federal High Court Kano on a two count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense. The convict was sentenced to six months imprisonments with an option of restituting the sum of N200,000 to the victim. The convict was arraigned by the Commission sometime in March 2019 for defrauding one Auwal Iliyasu by posing as former Vice President, Attiku Abubakar.

      The EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, has arrested two blood brothers for extorting internet fraudsters with promises to shield them from possible arrest by the Commission. The siblings – Olatunji Joe Beyioku (35) and Oluwayomi Beyioku (37) - were arrested in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Friday, November 15, 2019, during a sting operation. EFCC operatives had embarked on discreet investigations into the activ ities of the suspects when it was discovered that they are in the habit of the extorting ‘Yahoo Boys’ to help them evade arrest by the EFCC.More photos below.