47-Year-Old Man Accused For Allegedly Defrauding 5 Parents of WASCCE Fees

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February 9, 2022

A 47-year-old man, Emmanuel Apeh, was on Wednesday docked before a Badagry Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding five parents of N200,000 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCCE) fees.

Apeh, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Akpan Nko, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in December 2021, at Newton College, Kilometre 25, Okokomaiko, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

Nko alleged that the defendant obtained N200,000 as registration fees from five parents under the pretext of wanting to use it to register their children for WASCCE, knowing the claim to be false.

The defendant was also accused of stealing the money by converting it to his personal use, he however pleaded not guilty to the charges and adjourned the case until Feb. 28 for mention.

The Chief Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction with evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government, he added

U.S. To Try House Arrest Instead of Detention For Immigrants

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faith Jegede

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February 9, 2022

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The Biden administration is planning on putting single migrant adults caught on the Mexican border under house arrest in Baltimore and Houston as a ‘cheaper’ alternative to detention

Amid record-high crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, the 120-day pilot program will begin in Houston and Baltimore, where 100 to 200 single adults placed under house arrest in each location, according to a notice sent by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and reviewed by Reuters.

The ‘home curfew’ pilot would cost just about $6-8 per day, far less than the $142 daily cost of immigration detention.

The nationwide program is expected to roll out later this year.

Detainees would be required to be in their home from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with exceptions for job schedules, for those with work authorization or extraordinary circumstances.

Alternatives to detention that are currently in use, such as ankle bracelets or phone monitoring, require enrollees to notify their case managers if they plan to leave the state, but do not mandate home confinement.

Nearly 180,000 undocumented immigrants are already being monitored with ankle bracelets and other traceable devices.

The new program is aimed at curbing the use of for-profit detention facilities, which President Biden promised to do away with during the campaign.

The Biden administration has already stopped holding migrant families in detention centers, turning instead to the remote tracking technology. And during the last three weeks, at least half of the single adults who attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border were released with ankle bracelets or other methods of tracking, a DHS official told Axios.

Use of alternative-to-detention (ATD) programs has grown significantly under the Biden administration. When the president took office, only 35,000 were enrolled in such programs. Now there are roughly 180,000, according to Axios, but that number only applies to heads of household – there are likely thousands more migrants and kids accompanying enrollees.

The Biden administration plans to ask Congress for funding to place as many as 400,000 migrants this year in alternatives to detention, which could include the home curfew initiative as well as existing programs, the DHS official said.

Border agents saw a record 1.9 million encounters at the southern border in 2021, reflecting a surge since the Biden administration took office

Just In : Mexican President Suggests ‘Pausing’ Relations With Spain

By

faith Jegede

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February 9, 2022

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FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addresses the nation on his second anniversary as the President of Mexico, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has suggested on Wednesday that his country will be pausing diplomatic relations with Spain, accusing Spanish authorities and companies of ransacking Mexico.

Obrador said it was a matter of taking a “breather” and not of breaking diplomatic ties with Spain.

Obrador, who has repeatedly criticized Spain’s role, even going back to the conquest. Said, “They were like the owners of Mexico”. The Mexican President admitted in an appearance to the media that “the relationship is not good” now.

Because of this, he has suggested a “pause”, claiming it would be “convenient” for both parties. “Perhaps when the government changes, relations will be restored and I wish that when I’m no longer here they wouldn’t be what they were before,” he explained.

In that sense, he believes Mexico has borne “the worst part” of the economic and political “promiscuity” in the bilateral relationship in recent decades. “They plundered us,” López Obrador condemned in front of the media.

Primary Healthcare Agency Pledges More Support To Sokoto State

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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February 9, 2022

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The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, says the agency will continue to provide more support to Sokoto State.

Dr Shuaib made the pledge when he paid a courtesy visit to Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto.

According to him, despite the huge investment of Governor Tambuwal on Primary Healthcare still, the state is yet to have a commiserate improvement on indicators.

“So when you look at the routine immunisation and antenatal coverage you will find that there is still a commitment that is desired in terms of how to meet indicators so that the quality of health of citizens in Sokoto State can be improved.

Dr Shuaib noted that engaging with the State government and traditional institutions has been the only way forward to understand problems at a community level and provide more primary healthcare access to the grassroots level with the minimum available resources provided by the government and other development partners.

Responding, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, expressed his appreciation to Dr Faisal Shuaib and other development partners for the support given to the state.

He said the support has been measurable and more helpful to healthcare service delivery in the State.

Governor Tambuwal assured them a continuous collaboration on all the areas of coverage of the support that was intended to offer to the State.

He appeal for more support to Sokoto from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other development partners to address the challenges of low immunisation rates, maternal mortality and all other associated health-related issues.

In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the III, thanked the team for the visit.

He noted that traditional institutions look forwards for more many meaningful engagements.

The Sultan assured the team that their doors are always open and would continue to do their best to enlighten people for the benefit of having a healthy society.

W.H.O Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Alex Chimbary and UNICEF Chief of Health Country office, Dr. Eduardo Celades, expressed their happiness on the State government and Sultanate council commitments to work with NPHCDA and partners to ensure effective Healthcare Services delivery.

Nigerian Senate Approves Six Additional Law School Campuses

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2022

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The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to increase the number of Nigerian Law School campuses in the country from 7 to 13.

The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc) Act by establishing the campuses for the Nigerian Law School, and for other related matters” was sponsored by Kogi West Senator Smart Adeyemi.

The passage of the Bill followed the adoption of the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters that considered the Bill.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, presented the report.

According to the Bill, campuses of the Nigerian Law School and their locations include Bwari Law School Campus, FCT, Abuja; Kabba Law School Campus (Northcentral); Jos Law School, Plateau State (North Central); Yola Law School Campus, Adamawa (Northeast), Maiduguri Law School campus, Borno State (Northeast); Lagos Law School Campus (Southwest) and Ilawe Law School campus, Ekiti State (Southwest).

Others are Kano Law School Campus (Northwest); Argungun Law School Campus, Kebbi State (Northwest), Enugu Law School Campus, Enugu State (Southeast); Okija Law School Campus (Southeast); Yenegoa Law School Campus, Bayelsa State (Southsouth); Port Harcourt Law School Campus, Rivers State (Southsouth) and Orogun Law School campus, Delta State (Southsouth).

According to the Bill, “There shall be established a minimum of two campuses in each of the six geopolitical zones, as specified in the schedule to the Bill.

“Subject to the provision of subsection 3, of this section, creation of additional campuses of the Nigerian Law School shall be approved by the National Assembly through legislation whenever the need arises.”

The Senate resolved that the Bwari Law School should be for the Federal Capital City, while the proposed campuses in Kabba, Kogi State and Jos, Plateau state would take care of the North Central zone.

The committee said: “That in view of the exponential increase in the number of law graduates from our universities and even foreign universities, coupled with the backlog that existed over the years, this legislative intervention measure is not only apt and timely but paramount;

“That without prejudice to the establishment of the Law School Campus in Port-Harcourt, the provision for additional campuses in the six geopolitical zones of the federation in this Bill is appropriate as it has not tampered with the seven existing campuses p, established by administrative responsibilities of the Council of Legal Education;

“That the existing campuses are overstretched and the infrastructures are not enough to accommodate thousands of law students graduating from the universities;

“That apart from the statutory requirement for the creation of additional campuses, it should be strictly on the basis of need assessment and fulfilment of other indicators, such as convenience, and accessibility by lecturers, staff and students, availability of office, lecture theatre and hostel facilities, proximity to courts and law offices; and

“That the Federal Government should, as a matter of priority, provide adequate resources for the funding of the infrastructural needs of the Law School campuses, across the country.”

New York Joins Blue States Easing Covid Rules, Drops Indoor Mask Mandate.

By

faith Jegede

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February 9, 2022

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New york’s Gov. Kathy Hochul has said the state is dropping its stringent indoor mask mandate on ending a requirement that businesses ask customers for proof of full vaccination or require mask-wearing at all times, and marking a turning point in the state’s coronavirus response, according to three people briefed on her decision.

The decision will eliminate a rule that prompted legal and interpersonal clashes over mask-wearing, especially in conservative parts of New York.

Hochul’s decision will let the mask mandate lapse but it remains unclear whether the governor would drop the separate mask mandate issued in New York schools that is set to expire in two weeks.

The easing of New York’s pandemic restrictions on businesses comes as Democratic-led states from New Jersey to California have announced similar moves this week, in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of protests, back-channel discussions, and political focus groups.

The trend began with Governor of New Jersey Philip D. Murphy who began the effort last fall, weeks after he was stunned by the energy of right-wing voters in his blue state, who nearly ousted him from office in what was widely expected to be an easy re-election campaign. Arranging a series of focus groups across the state to see what they had missed, Mr. Murphy’s advisers were struck by the findings: Across the board, voters shared frustrations over public health measures, a sense of pessimism about the future and a deep desire to return to some sense of normalcy.

He lifted the mask mandate for schools in his state on Monday.

But slowly, as case rates began to fall again in January, conversations between Mr. Murphy’s aides and senior officials in other states began to pick back up.

Finally Democratic voters, were wearying of the restrictions, growing increasingly impatient with mandates and feeling ready to live with the risk that remained. As cases plummeted, the public health dynamics were shifting.

Last week, they took their concerns to the White House. As members of the National Governors Association gathered for a meeting in the East Room, several asked President Biden to provide clear guidelines for their states to move from the crisis footing of a pandemic to a recognition that the virus was here to stay — and that it could be managed without completely upending daily life.

“What does the road from pandemic to endemic look like, and how do we keep score?” Mr. Murphy, the association’s vice chairman, later told reporters, describing the discussion. “There was broad agreement that’s the task before us.”

Viral Video: Veritas Varsity To Investigate The Classroom Hair Cut

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2022

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The management of Veritas University, Abuja, on Wednesday said it was investigating a video that showed a lecturer of the school shaving the hair of a student in the classroom.

The Spokesperson of the institution, Evelyn Obekpa, disclosed this in an interview with news correspondent in Abuja.

The PUNCH reports that a viral video had revealed a yet to be identified lecturer of the institution shaving the hair of a male student with scissors in a classroom.

Though the cause of the lecturer’s action has not been disclosed, the school vowed to launch an investigation into the situation.

Obekpa said, “We are aware of the video, however, we are investigating the incident.”

Lagos Launches Eye Health Program In Secondary Schools

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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February 9, 2022

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The Lagos State Government has launched the Secondary School Eye Health Programme; the first of its kind in Nigeria.

This is in continuation of its effort to reduce visual impairment and blinding eye conditions amongst students, particularly pupils of Secondary schools in Lagos,

Speaking at the launch of the program at Oregun Junior High School, Ikeja, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi noted that the Secondary school eye health program is one of the strategies of the State Government through its Blindness Prevention Program to reduce the burden of childhood blindness in Lagos State.

He explained that the Secondary School Eye Health Program has four main components including; training of teachers on vision screening in all the state secondary schools starting with the junior secondary schools; installation of vision screening board in all the state secondary schools; equipping of all secondary schools with vision screening kits and management and referrals of students with eye conditions by the Blindness Preventive Team.

He said: “Vision impairment affects people of all ages and children are not left out. The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness are uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. Visual impairment from uncorrected refractive error has immediate and long-term consequences. It can hamper performance, reduce productivity and generally impair quality of life.

Abayomi enjoined teachers to also use the opportunity offered by the secondary eye health program to examine their eyes stressing that the program is for students, teachers and school staff alike.

The Commissioner who noted that that WAEC performance of schools in Lagos has increased from 39 percent to 80 percent, attributed the excellent performance to the hard work and dedication of teachers adding the feat is a testimonial of the successes of various education policies being implemented in the State. “I can also assure you that this secondary school eye health program will further enhance the performance of our students”, Abayomi concluded.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye explained that the School Eye Health Program was launched in the year 2006, and held in primary schools on IBILE basis to carry out eye screening for the pupils.

He added that the scope of the program was expanded in 2012 to include training of teachers and installation of vision screening board in all the state primary schools.

The Permanent Secretary noted that it was in furtherance of the bid to address the burden of visual impairment and ensure better blindness prevention program coverage, that secondary school eye health program was launched.

“The Secondary School Eye Health Program started with the training of teachers in the Junior Secondary schools; these training commenced last week and will be ending on the 11th February 2022. So far, 306 teachers have been trained and 175 vision corridors have been installed. It is our expectation that after the training all the teachers will be able to carry out the vision screening assessment”, he stated.

He noted that beyond the School Eye health program, the Lagos State School Health program also addresses health issues that could militate against better learning experience including componets such as the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Dental Care, Personal and Environmental Hygiene and Mental Health Care.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji laud the collaboration between the Lagos State Ministries of Health and Education which resulted in the birthing of the expanded School Eye Health Program – the Secondary School Eye Health Program.

He added that the program will help alleviate the sufferings of students with visual impairments and ultimately improve the academic performance of secondary school pupils in the State.

The high point of the event was the presentation of eye glasses to students, vision screening kits to trained secondary schools teachers and unveiling of the vison corridor at the Oregun Junior High school.

ASUU Strike: Gombe State Varsity Observes Nine-hour Lecture-Free Day

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2022

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The Gombe State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, embarked on a nine-hour lecture-free day in response to the directive of ASUU National Executive Council.

Arising from a congress on Tuesday, Chairman of Gombe State University Chapter, Suleiman Jauro, said the lecture-free period would take place between 3pm to 12am, adding that it was geared towards drawing the attention of the government to honour its agreement.

Jauro revealed that the GSU chapter is committed to abiding by the decision of the National Executive Council on the continuation or otherwise of the strike.

According to him, “We just held a Congress now on the directives of National Executive Council to assess the level of implementation of the 2009 agreement in the Memorandum of Action which we have with the government and they have been reneging on this.

“As a result of that Congress was convened and some resolutions were taken; our members are displeased with the level of implementation of this agreement and as a result of that we have voted for the resumption of the suspended strike action that was suspended in December 2020.

“To show our displeasure we have declared today (Tuesday) as lecture-free day, effective from 3pm to 12 midnight.”

While harping on the need for government to stop the impending strike action, he called on the public to appeal to the authorities to forestall the consequences of the mass action.

“We are going to NEC, in the University of Lagos, on 13th February the National Executive Council of the union will decide what action to take, and our branch here is fully ready to abide by the decision.

“Government can avert this looming strike by implementing the agreement we have with them. We call on the general public to prevail on the government to do the needful, to honour the pact they have with us,” he added.

Federal Executive Council Approves N12 Billion For Airport Equipment

By

Angel Gimalo

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February 9, 2022

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The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N12.097 billion for the award of contract for the replacement of weather measuring equipment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of this week’s meeting of the council, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the decision to replace the equipment was in line with the current administration’s policy of renovating decayed infrastructure at the country’s airports.

Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika during the virtual FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN and Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika during the virtual FEC Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja.

“Today in council, a memo was presented by us in aviation for the replacement of our AVO bridges and the amount of the contract to be awarded is N12, 097, 215, 800.09 including 7.5 percent Value Added Tax. The duration of the contract is 12 months.

“This contract is not only for supply but it is also for installation and maintenance including spare parts and this has been approved by council.

“This is part of all that we have been doing to re-activate the failing infrastructure within the country and of course, Lagos being a major airport in the country, this will make passenger facilitation easier and safer as well as add value and create more efficiency within the system of that particular airport.”

Sirika said the renovation process will be replicated in other airports across the country.