By Ahmed Ubandoma

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is to partner with the FCT Administration to secure shopping spaces for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to do their legitimate trading.

Mr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, made this known when he received leadership of Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria (SPCTAN) led by their Chairman, Mr Munnir Shehu in Abuja.

The delegation was at the commission to register their concerns over the disruption of their businesses by the joint taskforce and submit a letter of appeal to the Executive Secretary for onward delivery to the FCT Minister.

The executive secretary assured the visitors of his determination to support their course to ensure that they have a decent mean of livelihood.

He commended members of the traders association for being law abiding while in pursuing their businesses.

” I thank you for standing on what we always say that disability is not inability.

”Because, you Go out and do legitimate business to earn a living; you never find excuses for your own disability.

“’I want to assure you that the complain you bring here about the disruption of your businesses will be presented to the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike.

”We will make sure that alternative means is provided for you to continue your legitimate business” Lalu said.

Earlier,  Shehu said they have no fewer than 293 members doing legitimate businesses in the FCT.

Shehu also appealed to the FCTA to allocate shops for their members to enable them do their businesses decently.

He said the appeal became necessary to take them off the streets and avoid further harassment and confrontation with the members of the environmental joint taskforce in the city.

”We have been put out of business for the past three to four weeks now, we don’t go to our business places.

” Because we get to know that this is very serious when ‘FCTA Environmental Taskforce arrested our member, they took him to SARS and we went to bail him.

”It really touched us because we are all human beings, we don’t engage in street begging.

”We are doing our legitimate business and some of you who go around berger Junction, Bannex Plaza and other places will see us doing our legitimate business.

” Some of us earn between N500 to N1, 000 daily as gain which we use to sustain ourselves ” he said(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitments towards achieving sustained technological development and advancement in the nation.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) Mr Uche Nnaji,  said this at the inauguration of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) headquarters building in Abuja.

Nnaji promised to continue to provide the necessary support towards ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDA’s) under his purview in order to achieve the sustained technological development of Nigeria.

”As I commission this NOTAP Headquarters complex, it is my expectation that the management and staff of NOTAP shall continue to work in harmony with renewed zeal and commitment.

”To justify the funding priority accorded to this project towards sustained technological development of our dear nation,” he said.

He also added that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support to NOTAP towards achieving its mandate.

He added that his ministry would support NOTAP to ensure that all the MDA’s and private sector organisations register their technology transfer agreements with the Office as stipulated in its mandates.NThe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NOTAP is mandated to regulate and register technology transfer agreements in the country and also promote indigenous technological activities.

The minister also commended the President Bola Tinubu for approving the commissioning of the office complex.

“ It is gratifying to note the remarkable role played by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who graciously approved the construction of the NOTAP and made funds available.

“ I wish to further appreciate President Bola  Tinubu for graciously approving the commissioning of this NOTAP headquarters complex.

“ It is worthy at this juncture, to commend the unwavering support from the 9th National Assembly,” he said.

The Director-General NOTAP,  Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim  in his address said the agency is responsible for monitoring, regulating and facilitating the inflow of foreign technology in Nigeria.

He said that its mandate was being implemented primarily through the evaluation and registration of technology transfer agreements which were required to be submitted to it within 30 days from the effective date.

Ibrahim added that NOTAP needed a befitting modern office space to discharge its official duties with ease so as to promote foreign and local investments in technology.

“Our duties are innovative in nature, we need the best of space to be able to link up with other local and foreign stakeholders in order to discharge services according to globally accepted standards,” he said.

The director-general said NOTAP ensured that technology transfer agreements were fair and mutually beneficial to indigenous innovators, adding,”and that they do not infringe on the country’s intellectual property laws and policies.

He also said an Indigenous contractor, Mr. Stanley Odenigbo, Managing Director of Paul-B. Nig.Plc, handled the NOTAP corporate head office project from start to finish.

According to him, that is how much NOTAP promotes industrialisation and growth of Nigerian scientists and innovators.

“The agency ensures that Nigerian innovators and entrepreneurs have access to the latest technology and knowledge, which can be used to develop local capacity and promote economic growth and development

NAN reports that the newly commissioned NOTAP office complex is a smart office complex made up of 60 offices.

The offices are built in line with globally acceptable standards, that is, they incorporate modern technology to increase and boost employee productivity, experience, and efficiency. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

A participant in the just concluded Abuja International Trade Fair, Dr Nuhu Maksha, on Tuesday underscored the need for rail and dry ports connectivity to enhance economic growth of the country.

Maksha, the Chief Executive, Gasha Production and Services Ltd., while commending the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for participating at the fair said that rail connectivity to dry ports would reduce pressure on the Nigerian roads.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trade fair had its theme as: “Sustainable Financing and Taxation”.

Maksha said that moving some goods and farm produce by road is becoming more challenging, adding that Nigeria is endowed with so many natural resources not being utilised presently.

He added that rail connectivity to dry ports would make the road last longer as well as enhance the economic growth of the country.

“I know of a time when goods were transported from the South Eastern part of this country to North Eastern part, precisely from Lokoja to Yola through waterways.

“Juxtaposing that on the present scenario and with the increase in population, the problem with our road network, one will think that presently the waterways particularly is under utilised.

“I’m interested in seeing how the Council will help farmers move their produce from these places through dry ports.

“Frankly speaking, transportation by roads is becoming more challenging, it is taking a toll on our roads with heavy movement of goods making the roads not to last long.

‘If we can diversify a way off the roads, it will be economically wise,” he said.

Maksha said the country would not reap the economic benefits of the dry ports if it relies on road services only.

NAN reports that the NSC is vested with the responsibility of protecting the interest of Nigerian Shippers – importers and exporters.

It also creates space for some members of the Niger Shippers Association as a way of encouraging the participation of shippers at the trade fair.

The 18th edition of the 2023 Abuja International Trade Fair which started from Sept. 28 and ended this Monday was organised by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (NAN)(nannews.com.ng)

==========

Edited by Deborah Coker/Julius Toba-Jegede.

By Chinyere Omeire

Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court on Monday sentenced to death, a police officer, Darambi Vandi, who shot dead a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

Vandi, was on Jan. 16, arraigned by Lagos State Government on a count charge of murder.

Lagos State Government, which prosecuted the case,  had said that Vandi shot dead pregnant Raheem on Dec. 25, 2022, at Ajah Roundabout on Lekki- Expressway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square remanded the defendant after his arraignment and granted accelerated hearing of the case.

While delivering judgment, Harrison said that non of the eyewitness actually saw the defendant pull the trigger.

She, however, held that circumstantial evidence was overwhelming to prove that Vandi murdered Raheem.

According to the judge, a defendant can be convicted when circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.

The judge said, “The question in the mind of the court is: Did the prosecution provide any additional evidence?

“The court finds that the ammunition of the other officers who were on patrol with the defendant remained intact but two of the defendant’s ammunition were missing.”

Harrison said that the defendant had alleged that the shortfall in his ammunition was because it was counted in his absence.

The judge also noted that Vandi testified that the bullet tendered in court was not his, saying, however, that Vandi constituted himself as a ballistician pathologist without tendering a certificate to that effect.

She, therefore, dismissed the evidence.

“The court finds that the forensic expert and the medical doctor’s evidence confirm the circumstantial evidence that the defendant had the opportunity to shoot the victim and that the victim was shot and died from the gunshot.

“Every eyewitness heard the loud noise and passers-by shouted in Yoruba Language (oti pa eyan) meaning: you have killed someone,” she said.

Harrison held that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt that it was the convict who shot the gun that killed the deceased.

“The death of the deceased was instantaneous. There is no other explanation, it was the gunshot that shattered the side glass and pierced the victim’s chest.

“It was the defendant who had an AK-47 riffle whose ammunition was missing after the armourer counted it,” she held.

She also held that the defendant did not say that he pointed the gun to force or scare people in the vehicle to obey order and park the vehicle.

She added that the defendant did not  say that the shooting was  accidental  which would have earned him a smaller sentence of manslaughter.

“Therefore, the defendant is found guilty of the one count charge and sentenced to death by hanging until he dies,” she held.

The prosecution called 11 witnesses, including eight police officers during the trial.

The first prosecution witness Insp. Mattew Ameh, had on Jan. 16, testified that  the defendant, Insp Ebimine Fiyegha and himself were sent to Ajah Under Bridge on a stop-and-search operation.

He testified that a Toyota car with no number plate was flagged down by Fiyegha, but it did not stop.

The witness said that he also flagged the car to stop but it did not.

He said that the next thing he heard was a gunshot.

Vandi, in his defence, told the court that he had never come across the bullet  shown in the court as the weapon used to murder Raheem.

He said that the bullet was not the same ammunition in his rifle on the day of the incident.

NAN reports that the prosecution closed its case on Feb. 25.

On Feb. 28, Vandi, through his counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, filed an application, praying the court to quash the charge against him.

Gbadamosi argued that evidence of the prosecution witnesses were inconsistent and did not link Vandi to the  murder.

On April 3, the court, however,  dismissed the no-case submission.

Harrison held that prosecution established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking Vandi to the  crime, which required explanation from him.

Harrison  added that evidence by Vandi would shed light on what happened. 

Vandi gave evidence and closed his case on May 31.

His counsel had told the court that Vandi was the sole defence witness.

 On July 13, the parties adopted their written addresses, and the court reserved judgment until Oct. 9.

Murder contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Christian Njoku

The University of Calabar (UniCal) has honoured an undergraduate, Daniel Aiguokhian, who is seeking to break world record in fiction and non-fiction writing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 27-year-old Philosophy student wrote 19 books, eight fiction and 11 non-fiction works for eight days non-stop, in his bid to get his name engraved in the Guiness Book of World Record.

The university community led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, on Monday night organised a reception in honour of Aiguokhian to encourage him in his quest to earn global recognition.

Obi extolled the intellectual sagacity of Aiguokhian, who was able to write for 188 hours.

”This is a feat that people will need to work very hard to break; as an institution, we will make sure the world hears about this.

“I have sent a message to the Minister of Education, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education about this feat.

“In recent times, UniCal has been in the news for negative reasons, but today, we want the world to know that this is an institution of intellectual giants,” she said.

The vice chancellor urged other students to think positively and use their intellectual acumen to promote the image of the university.

In his remark, Mr Odum-Ijom Ukam, Commissioner for Youth and Skill Development in Cross River, said Aiguokhian would serve as a consultant to the ministry, to train young people on creative writing skills under the state government entrepreneurship programme.

Responding, Aiguokhian said he was motivated to go into the arduous task because he wanted Nigerian and African writers to be celebrated for their efforts.

“It is not just about the record, but the ability to use your record to impact lives and make the society a better place for all mankind.

“While I appreciate everyone that supported me, I call on young people not to give up on their dreams, but should gather knowledge and look at the bigger picture while shrugging off limitations,” he said.

Aiguokhian said after eight days of sleepless days and nights, he was elated that the university has recognised his efforts and was ready to support his quest for global recognition.

“The major challenge was the lack of sleep because for 24 hours each day, I was entitled to only one hour 30 minutes break, which is not enough for a normal human,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Maharazu Ahmed

By Sani Idris

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Postal Manager in Kaduna, Mrs Tabitha Tauna, says its services still exists, as advent of technology only improved the organisation’s service delivery.

The theme for the year’s World Post Day is “Together for trust, collaborating for safe and connected future”.

Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of a road show in commemoration of the day, on Monday in Kaduna, Tauna said that contrary to peoples thinking and assumptions on NIPOST existence, the organisation still exists and operates vibrantly.

She noted that some challenges which included absence of street names and numbers in some parts of Kaduna, among other problems, were surmounted with phone calls (Technology), where one could be called to describe his/her location or go to the post office for collection of item.

“With this, the mobile phone which is perceived as a technology that ousted postal services, has only made our operations easier,” she said.

Tauna also said that beyond delivery of letters and sales of stamp, NIPOST had diversified in areas of e-commerce, which also had to do with internet and mobile phones.

She said that people could order for items via online, where certainly it could not be delivered online, but had to engage human factor for delivery and made it a point of interjection with NIPOST.

The Postal Manager noted that NIPOST, which also engaged in agency services, was also the regulatory body of all logistics services.

She disclosed that the logistics regulations arm of NIPOST from Lagos would soon come to Kaduna for clamp down on illegal operators.

She called on people who were interested in operating logistics outfits to go to NIPOST for the appropriate steps, stressing that absence of such, means one is operating illegally.

She called on Kaduna residents to visit NIPOST office in the state for enquiry about their new services, while committing the organisation’s will to embark on public sensitisation on its operations, mandate and services.

Also, the Head of Operations, NIPOST, Kaduna, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, said the organisation had over the years kept to its virtue of entrustment of public confidence and parcels for delivery across the nation and the world at large.

He added that despite challenges such as the economic crunch, fuel subsidy removal and other factors, NIPOST in Kaduna has kept to its mandate of delivering peoples letters and parcels within the stipulated time of 72 hours nation wide.

“Despite the challenges, NIPOST has not relented in delivering peoples trust. NIPOST still exists, and even stronger,”Mohammed said.

Also, Mr Ibrahim Musa, the Head, Corporate Communications of NIPOST in Kaduna, said that the main significance behind the celebration of the day is to raise awareness about the postal sector.

He explained that the day was celebrated to remind everyone of the contribution of the postal sector to social and economic development.

Musa urged Nigerians to patronise NIPOST, adding that its charges were still the best in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that NIPOST Kaduna, which commemorated the day with a road show within the state’s metropolis, was accompanied by dance and music.

NAN also reports that the World Post Day was established by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the second oldest international organisation worldwide.

UPU has no fewer than 192 member-countries, and it is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Kaduna government says it is collaborating with the  state House of Assembly to make laws on rickety vehicles and traffic violations in the state.

The state Governor, Sen. Uba Sani said this at the inauguration of the 2023 Ember Months Campaign by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command, on Monday in Kaduna.

The theme of the campaign is: “Speed thrills but Kills: Drive responsibly and avoid Overloading”.

Sani was represented by Hamza Ibrahim, the state Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure.

He said the state government recently inaugurated the State Road Safety Advisory Council in line with the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy II, to bring sanity on roads within the state.

The governor said that the state government had established five computerised vehicle testing centres as part of efforts in ensuring vehicles complied with all safety standards in the state.

Sani commended the previous government for doing “exceedingly well in infrastructural development in the state” through the Kaduna State Urban Renewal Project as a deliberate effort in improving the state’s road network.

He said the efforts were in conformity with global best practices and in line with second pillar of the UN Decade of Action Safe System approach of safer mobility.

The governor restated the government’s commitment towards enhancing the operations of FRSC in the state, and urged the people of Kaduna to always adhere to all safety standards and guidelines on road usage.

He also urged the people to take road safety as a personal responsibility and support FRSC in achieving the desired result of reducing road traffic crashes to the barest minimum.

Earlier, Mr Kabiru Nadabo, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Kaduna Sector Command, said ember months which began in September to run through December every year came with heavy vehicular movement across the country.

He said that as a proactive government agency, FRSC, over the years, had come up with ideas and initiatives to scale up the level of its preparedness on patrol and rescue activities.

He said it also held robust public enlightenment and engagement with its stakeholders as part of measures to arrest ugly trends on the road.

Nadabo said the programme formed part of the sustained preparations by the corps to step up efforts towards reducing the spate of road crashes commonly witnessed during the ember season through a formal flag off.

He said that the theme this year’s campaign was deliberately designed to draw the attention of all road users on the need to comply with traffic rules and regulations while driving in order to stay safe.

“The corps has recorded a comparative reduction in road traffic crashes in the 3rd quarter of 2023.

“This is monumentally huge and we will not relent in our efforts,” Nadabo said.

He thanked the Kaduna State Government for its sustained support to road safety through the provision of logistics for the corps’ activities and road rehabilitation for safer motoring environment within Kaduna and its environs.

He also commended the government for inaugurating the Road Safety Advisory Council (KASARC) to bolster the FRSC collective efforts towards effective road safety management and traffic administration in the state.

The Sector Commander said that FRSC and KASTLEA had developed an effective synergy and areas of mutual collaboration to train and retrain staff on patrol and rescue activities for general safety on Kaduna roads.

He urged road users to continue to obey traffic rules and regulations to complement the concerted efforts by the FRSC to cut down on road crashes during the yuletide and beyond.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was an award presented to the first female tanker driver in Nigeria, Hajiya Rabi Abubakar, popularly known as Rabi Dangote. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Maureen Atuonwu

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Enugu Urban Butchers Association (EUBA) has pledged its commitment to safe and hygienic meat for Enugu residents in both independent butcher’s shops and counters.

The newly-elected Chairman of EUBA Ogbete Main Market Branch, Chief Nnaemeka Nworie, made this known in Enugu immediately after being sworn after its election on Monday.

According to Nworie, having stringent food safety practice in a butchers’ shops is essential when it comes to running a successful and healthy meat selling business.

“We will strictly abide by the food hygiene guides in our place of business. The meat must not be contaminated during handling or packaging in the butcher’s shop.

“Any utensil used to handle meat should be cleaned thoroughly after each use. If utensils are not used, anybody handling meat should use disposable gloves and practice good hand washing hygiene,” he said.

On the association, the new chairman promised to run an inclusive administration, adding that butchers line in Ogbete Main Market would continue to be a good place for business to thrive.

“I thank the electoral committee that conducted the election which brought us in as executive of Enugu Urban Butchers Association.

“Today, we have taken the oath of office to abide by the constitution of the association in piloting the affairs of butchers in Enugu.

“Henceforth, I am assuring butchers that butcher’s line will be a better place to do business. I am here to serve everybody,” he said.

Earlier, the legal adviser of the association, Mr J.C. Nwankwo, while administering Oath of office, charged them to abide by the constitution of EUBA. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu