NURTW Chairman Probe Over N5m Health Insurance Fund

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July 6, 2023

The House of Representatives on Thursday unveiled plans to investigate the activities of the National Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Tajudeen Baruwa, over the collection of the sum of N5 million for the facilitation of a Memorandum of Understanding for the health insurance scheme for members of the Union.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a petition titled: Public Petition against the National Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’ laid by Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun).

While seeking the House intervention, the Petitioner – Pastor Samuel Oyeterun, alleged that the NURTW National Chairman collected the sum of N5 million for the facilitation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a health insurance scheme for members of the Union.

“I am highly delighted to present my heartfelt compliments to you, Sir. My name is Pastor Samuel Oluwafemi Oyeterun, the Chief Executive Officer of Divine Tonical Medicare Ltd.

“I am writing to request your kind intervention in the matter between myself and The National Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa concerning a proposal to handle a health insurance scheme for members of his union.

“Upon agreement, I effected two tranches of payment of the sum of Five million Naira (N5,000,000:00) based on a request from him to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“However, since the payment of the money on 4th, August 2022 and 30th September 2022 respectively, (transaction receipts attached) he has neither signed the MOU nor given me any opportunity to meet with him on the proposal.”

The petition added, “Your Excellency, I have made several attempts to get a refund of this money which was a bank loan which was obtained for this failed transaction.

“Most unfortunately, despite my phone calls to him, the National Secretary and Legal Officer as well as several visits to his office, the National Chairman is yet to make the refunds.

“More importantly, Rep. Bamidele Salam made frantic efforts to bring us to a roundtable to ensure that my money is refunded to me but all his attempts were frustrated by the National Chairman and his handlers.

“I am therefore left with no option than to appeal to Your Excellency to use your good office to prevail on him to do the needful as quickly as possible since my creditors are on my neck.

“Your Excellency, while anticipating your help in this regard, please accept the assurances of my best wishes.”

In line with extant legislative rules, the motion was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further legislative action.

Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provided that: “For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitutional and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to – (a) procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial, as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter.

“require such evidence to be given on oath;

“summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions; and

“issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.

“A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorized on that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.”

Abba Kyari Get Bail After 18 months In Prison

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 6, 2023

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

Kyari was on Thursday granted bail by Justice James Omotosho in a charge in which he and two of his siblings – Baba Kyari and Ali Kyari are accused of failing to declare assets to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Ruling in an application filed by the defendant, Justice James Omotosho granted conditional bail to Kyari at the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Omotosho added that the sureties must have property worth N25m within the jurisdiction.

Other conditions include that Kyari and his sureties are to deposit their international passport, their statement of accounts, the title deed of the sureties’ property and recent passport photographs with the court registrar.

Besides, the judge further subjected the endorsement of his release warrant to the developments in another case pending before Justice Emeka Nwite wherein he is being tried with four others on drug-related offences.

In granting his application, the judge held that there was no evidence that he was a flight risk and that he would not attend his trial.

Court Hears Abba Kyari’s Case Behind Closed Doors

The Justice pointed out that the NDLEA did not deny Kyari’s claim that he was in Kuje prison during the last prison break, but did not escape even when he had the opportunity.

“On the possibility of the 1st defendant attending his trial, it is pertinent to state that, according to the affidavits in support of the application, the applicant stated that he was in detention at the Kuje prisons when the jailbreak of 5th July 2022 occurred and he stayed put, even though he had the opportunity of escaping.

“This deposition was not challenged by the complainant/respondent which means it is admitted. This shows that the applicant is unwilling to run away from his trial and has shown a willingness to attend court when required.

“This piece of fact will work in favour of the applicant, in that, it is proof to the court that the applicant would not jump bail if granted the same. I note that there have been rulings denying the 1st defendant/applicant bail.

More so, he held that the offences with which Kyari and his co-defendants were charged are bailable.

“He has not committed a capital offence nor has it been proved that he is a flight risk. I, therefore, exercise my discretion in favour of the defendant/applicant.”

The court adjourned further hearing in the case to October 18.

Titan Implosion: Oceangate Suspends All Operations

By

Angel Gimalo

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July 6, 2023

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The company that owned a submersible that imploded on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five onboard, said Thursday it has suspended operations.

Investigators believe the Titan imploded as it made its descent into deep North Atlantic waters on June 18.

Among those killed was Stockton Rush, the submersible’s pilot and chief executive officer of the company, OceanGate.

The Coast Guard said last week that human remains have likely been recovered from the wreckage of the submersible and are being examined by medical officials in the U.S.

Remote operated vehicles, known as ROVs, were used to retrieve the debris from the ocean floor about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater.

The U.S. Coast Guard has convened a Marine Board of Investigation, its highest level of investigation, into the implosion, and plans to hold a public hearing in the future.

Zasha Colah Named Curator Of 13th Berlin Biennale

By

Koko Lawrence

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July 6, 2023

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The 13th edition of the Berlin Biennale will be curated by Zasha Colah, exhibition organizers announced on Tuesday.

Colah was selected by an international selection committee which included Sebastian Cichocki, Elena Filipovic, Krist Gruijthuijsen , Omar Kholeif, Manuela Moscoso, Olaf Nicolai, and Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi.

Colah, who is a curator and writer, has explored themes of artistic expression under conditions of sustained oppression. Her 2020 doctorate addressed illegality and meta-exhibition practices in Indo-Myanmar beginning in the 1980s.

Earlier this year, she assumed the position of artistic director, with Francesca Verga, at ar/ge kunst Bolzano in Italy. She co-founded the research collaborative blackrice in 2007 and the artist and curatorial collective Clark House Initiative from 2010–22. She was previously curator of Indian Modern Art at the CSMVS Museum in Mumbai from 2009–11 and prior to that curator of public programs at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai from 2004–05.

Colah most recently curated with Marianne Zamecznik the temporary public art commission “Pedro Gómez-Egaña: Inmeridiem” for Deichmanske bibliotek at the National Public Library, Oslo (2021–22), as well as “Anawana Haloba: How to (re)pair my grandmother’s basket” and “Muna Mussie: Bologna St. 173″—both with Chiara Figone at Archvie Milano, Italy (2021). In 2017, she curated the third Pune Biennale with Luca Cerizza and, in 2018, the second Yinchuan Biennale as part of the curatorial team led by Marco Scotini.

The 13th edition of the Berlin Biennale is slated to take place in summer 2025.

Tinubu signs executive orders, suspends 5% excise tax on telecoms, others

By

Mana Balagbogbo

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July 6, 2023

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Four executive orders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put into law aim to reduce the nation’s unfair taxing practises. Dele Alake, the president’s special adviser for special duties, communication, and strategy, revealed the policy direction on Thursday during a discussion with State House reporters.

The suspension of the 5% excise tax on telecommunication services and the increase in excise duty on domestically produced goods are two of President Tinubu’s most significant executive orders.

Alake further said that the Finance Act (Effective Date Variation) Order, 2023, which delays the start date of the modifications included in the Act from May 23, 2023, to September 1, 2023, was signed by President Tinubu. He said that by doing this, the 2017 National Tax Policy’s need for a minimum 90-day prior notification for tax changes will be upheld.

The Customs Excise Tariff (Variation) Amendment Order, 2023 was also issued by President Tinubu in compliance with the National Tax Policy, delaying the start of the tax revisions from March 27, 2023, to August 1, 2023.

The Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, which includes plastic bottles and containers, as well as the Import Tax Adjustment Levy, were both postponed by the president in addition.

In order to relieve financial pressures, Tinubu also suspended the Import Tax Adjustment Levy on a select number of automobiles. Alake emphasised that the president’s main motivation for making these instructions was to lessen the consequences of recent tax changes.

Sporting Lagos Eyes NNL Trophy After Premier League Promotion

By

Emenike Agu

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July 6, 2023

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“When we left Lagos, I told my boys that the first target is to qualify for the NPFL, and the second is that we want to win the trophy.”

After securing a historic promotion in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Sporting Lagos coach Paul Offor says his team still has one more mission at the Nigeria National League Super Eight tourney in Asaba.

Sporting Lagos sealed their promotion to the top tier of the Nigerian League after emerging victorious over another southwestern club, Abeokuta Stormers.

Two second-half goals against Stormers saw Sporting Lagos record their second win in the playoffs, effectively confirming their promotion status.

The Lagos-based side has magically achieved their promotion dream just two seasons after they first played in the second tier.

The win also sent the club to the final round of the playoffs, with Offor now aiming to win the NNL trophy to cap their efforts.

Joy unlimited

While speaking after the game, an elated Paul Offor, who joined the club just before the season started in March, expressed joy at his side’s success.

“I want to thank God for this victory and how he has brought us far this season. I also want to thank the players, they put in a lot of hard work, and there are moments we disagree and fight each other, but we just have to do it my way sometimes. I want to thank them for standing by me.

“I want to thank Mr Godwin Enakhena for his support, he has always been there for me and also the owner of the club.

“The fans that have always been behind us, I want to say a big thank you to all of them.”

According to the gaffer, their 4-0 emphatic win over fellow Lagos Club Smart City gave them the morale to fight for the promotion.

“We have good quality players; immediately we won that game against Smart City, we knew we were destined for this.”

Icing on the cake

With the promotion slot achieved, Offor said his boys would like to have more by winning the NNL trophy to cap their success story.

“When we left Lagos, I told my boys that the first target is to qualify for the NPFL, and the second target is that we want to win the trophy.”

The promotion of Sporting Lagos has returned NPFL football to Lagos after MFM got relegated in 2022.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Sporting Lagos has increased private clubs in the NPFL to three after Remo Stars and Doma United kept their place in the just-concluded season.

Nigerian Lady Collapses While Attempting Guinness World Record For Longest Massage

By

Koko Lawrence

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July 6, 2023

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Nigerian lady, Joyce Ijeoma who set out to achieve a 72-hour body massage on individuals has collapsed.

Ijeoma collapsed while on the attempt at the venue in the Lekki area of Lagos state.

The masseur who had done a total of 50 hours collapsed during the wee hours of Tuesday.

As of the time of filing this report, Ijeoma was yet to return to the venue and had stopped the live coverage.

The previous record was set in 2015 by Alastair Galpin in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Galpin currently holds the record for the longest full-body massage in 25 hours and 4 minutes.

National trials: Amusan wins again

By

Emenike Agu

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July 6, 2023

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World record holder, Tobi Amusan, on Wednesday retained her national title after storming across the finish line in a smooth 12.70secs under the rain to win the women’s 100m hurdles event at the national trials for the 2023 world athletics championships, which holds next month in Budapest, Hungary.

Amusan was competing in Nigeria for the first time since setting the world record of 12.12s last year in Oregon and she gave the fans inside the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City a feel of her expertise as she eased into the final of the event.

Coming off the back of a win at the Stockholm diamond league, the world champion is now on course to defend her title in Budapest next month.

In the men’s 100m final, Usheoritse Itsekiri stormed to victory in 10.02secs to win ahead of Favour ashe in second, seye ogunlewe and enoch adegoke.

Itsekiri also equaled his 100m personal best to claim his second national title.

In the women’s 100m final, blessing Ogundiran turned the tables on the AFN golden league winner faith okwose, racing to 11.50secs, while okwose clocked 11.51secs to end up in second place. African record holder in long jump, Ese brume, came third in 11.52secs.

Table Tennis: Aruna Drops To 18th But Mati Climbs To 63rd Place

By

Emenike Agu

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July 6, 2023

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Aruna slipped one place to 18th in the world rankings, while Mati climbed 13 places to 63rd place in the ITTF rankings

In the latest world rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Nigerian table tennis player Taiwo Mati made a significant leap, climbing 13 places to secure the 63rd position.

Mati, an 18-year-old prodigy, accumulated 272 points, solidifying his position as the third-best player in Africa. This remarkable achievement highlights Mati’s talent and potential at such a young age. Previously, in the week 26 rankings, he held the 76th spot.

Mati’s rise in the rankings can be attributed to his performances in various tournaments this year. He reached the quarterfinals of the ITTF-Africa Cup in Nairobi, Kenya, the Round of 32 at the ITTF World Championship in Durban, South Africa, and took part in the WTT Contender in Lagos, although he faced an early exit in the latter event.

Mati also competed in the WTT Feeder in Dusseldorf, Germany, the WTT Contender in Zagreb, Croatia, and the Singapore Smash in Singapore, making progress in each competition.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s highest-ranked player, Quadri Aruna, slipped one place to 18th in the world rankings. Despite the minor drop, Aruna remains the top-ranked player in Africa, with Egyptian Omar Assar rising to 22nd place globally. Another Nigerian player, Olajide Omotayo, made a significant jump of 18 places, moving up to the 139th position.

Other Nigerian players like Amadi Omeh and Rilwan Akanbi climbed to the fifth and sixth spots in Nigeria, respectively, with Omeh climbing 28 places to 164th and Akanbi leaping an impressive 32 places to 259th place.

China’s Chuqin Wang, displaced countryman Zhendong Fan to become the top-ranked ping-pong player in the world, while Long Ma maintained the third position in a Chinese top three.

In the women’s category, Nigeria’s leading player, Offiong Edem, experienced a significant setback, dropping 137 places to 283rd place in the world rankings. Veteran player Funke Oshonaike also faced a decline, falling 222 places to the 374th position.

Nigeria’s No. 1 player, Fatimo Bello, disappointingly dropped 56 places to place 108th in the world, while Tosin Oribamise leaped 24 places to No. 147. Ajoke Ojomu also moved up 25 places to No. 191, the only positive for the women.

At the top of the women’s rankings, Chinese players Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, and Chen Meng maintained their dominance, occupying the top three spots, respectively. The Chinese table tennis team continues to excel, showcasing its powerful presence in the sport.

These rankings reflect the performance and progress of table tennis players from Nigeria and around the world, highlighting both their achievements and areas for improvement.

Quadri drops, Mati, Omotayo Move up in ITTF Rankings

By

Emenike Agu

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July 6, 2023

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Haruna Quadri dropped one spot from 17th to 18th in the latest international table tennis federation world rankings for the month of June.

Despite the drop, the 34-year-old is still the top-ranked player in Africa, having accumulated 1,150 points during the month under review.

Egypt’s Omar Assar is second in Africa after he moved up one spot from 23rd to 22nd globally.

China’s Chuqin wang dethroned countryman Zhendong fan to become the top-ranked ping-pong player in the world.

Zhendong had topped the rankings for 142 consecutive weeks before he was displaced. Long ma maintained the third position in the Chinese top three.

Fast-rising Nigerian teenage prodigy, Taiwo Mati, made a significant leap in the ranking as he chalked up 13 places to finish the month in 63rd position after recording 272 points in June.

Mati’s meteoric rise in the rankings has been due to his performances in various tournaments this year.

He reached the quarter-finals of the ITTF-Africa cup in Nairobi, Kenya; the round of 32 at the ITTF world table tennis championships in Durban, South Africa and also featured at the WTT contender in Lagos, where he crashed out in the preliminary rounds of the event.

The 18-year-old also competed in the WTT feeder in Dusseldorf, Germany; the WTT contender in Zagreb, Croatia and the Singapore smash, making progress in each competition.

Another Nigerian who made a significant leap in the ranking is Olajide Omotayo, who rose 18 places to 139th.