Six Arraigned For Alleged Robbery Of Vanguard Publisher

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Six persons suspected to have been involved in the robbery of the Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka, have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ikeja.

The suspects who were brought before Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and grievous bodily harm, that occurred three months ago.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Imohwa prayed the court for an order remanding the suspects in prison custody.

Magistrate Osunsanmi granted the request and ordered them remanded in Kirikiri prison, before adjourning the matter till November 10, 2016 for hearing.

Kenya’s Anti-graft Chief, Accused Of Conflict Of Interest, Quits

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The chairman of Kenya’s anti-graft body said on Wednesday he had quit after lawmakers recommended removing him from office over an alleged conflict of interest between his family business and another state-run agency.

Kenyan media reported parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee wanted lawmakers to ask President Uhuru Kenyatta to set up a tribunal to force out Philip Kinisu.

The committee had accused Kinisu of a conflict of interest in his family company’s dealings with state-run National Youth Service, which the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that he leads was investigating over lost money.

Kinisu denied any wrongdoing by him or the company.

“At the same time, I am mindful that significant resources and attention are being expended by the state and public on deliberating these matters rather than to the fight against corruption,” he said in a statement announcing his resignation.

Kenya has a history of corruption scandals that have failed to result in high-profile convictions, angering the public who say it demonstrates top officials can act with impunity and encourages graft by ordinary employees.

Faced with a growing public outcry last year, Kenyatta promised to root corruption out of the government. Five ministers stepped aside in 2015 after they faced investigations and then lost their jobs in a reshuffle. Two former ministers face trial proceedings

Plateau High Court Suspends NPFL Over Giwa FC Sanction

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A High Court in Bukuru, Plateau State, has suspended the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The court said the suspension would be operational until the League Management Company (LMC) fully complied with its earlier order to reinstate Giwa Football Club to the professional league competition.

Justice Ishaku Kunda in his ruling on Wednesday granted the plaintiff’s prayer for the re-validation of the earlier order, following LMC’s failure to honour the court’s order.

He ordered that the league be suspended until the determination of the appeal filed by the defendants at the upper court.

Justice Kunda said the  order was issued to ensure the case did not become an academic exercise, since the league was about to be concluded.

Flood Threatens Community In Rivers, Groups Find Solution To End Disaster

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Residents of Eneka community in Rivers State are calling on the government to intervene in the flood disaster, that is gradually taking over their homes and threatening their social and economic lives.

This is coming as the Nigerian Medical Association in the state, the National Emergency Management Agency South-south, government, security agencies and other groups have come together to form a working group to control and manage disaster and emergency situations in the state.

A representative of the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, Fortunatus Anyanwu explained that managing flood disasters and any other emergency incidences requires detailed planning.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Ibanibn Briggs-Iti believes that though sometimes flooding could be caused by human activities, the government is looking into areas experiencing flood at the moment.

Sustained effort is required to check incidences of disaster while citizens are also advised to avoid activities that could compound the problem such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Army Trains NSCDC Officers On Weapons Handling

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At least 400 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been trained on how to handle various types of weapons.

The training comes as part of measures to complement the effort of the Nigerian Armed Forces in tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

The exercise was conducted by the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi in Ilorin, the Kwara State’s capital.

Speaking on Wednesday at the passing out ceremony of the second batch of the 200 officers, the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Ola Falade, who represented the Commandant, sought more roles for the NSCDC, especially in the area of Nigeria’s internal security.

He said the corps were trained in weapons handling and expressed the confidence that they could now handle the weapons professionally.

Colonel Falade noted that the NSCDC could complement in tackling insecurity, saying they could take over most of the internal security operations while the military would focus on more serious challenges.

He pointed out that Nigeria could emulate other developed countries where the military deals with major challenges facing the country.

The Kwara State Commandant of NSCDC, Awili Pedro, said the training would be a continuous process for the officers of the NSCDC.

Some of the graduating participants expressed their gratitude to the Federal Government and the NSCDC for giving them the opportunity to take part in such training.

They expressed hope that it would make them more disciplined in all ramifications.

Facebook Defends Data Sharing With WhatsApp

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Tech giant, Facebook has defended its proposed data sharing scheme with messaging application, WhatsApp.

The Director of Global Products Partnership at Facebook, Mr Ime Archibong, explained the reasons for the policy on Wednesday in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

“One of the policy changes that we made recently was all about trying to make sure we could unlock the business user connections that already exist,” he said.

Archibong told Channels Television that the plan would enable small scale business owners to leverage on WhatsApp, as a powerful platform for their businesses.

He also expressed optimism that the development would contribute greatly to the growth of Africa and the world at large.

“It is going to be really good for the continent. It will be really good for countries around the world and I’m pretty excited about it,” he said.

The Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, on Tuesday arrived in Nigeria on his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa.

Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, with tech developers in Lagos

Zuckerberg had used his time in the country to visit the Yaba technology hub in Lagos, met with developers and partners, as well as explored the Nollywood.

He said he would also listen, learn and take ideas back to California on how Facebook could further support tech development and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Nigeria Adopts Development Plan For Mining Sector, Renames Ministry

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The Federal Executive Council has approved a road map for the growth and development of Nigeria’s mining industry.

The road map, which is to outline the contribution of mining to the growth of the GDP, is said to be in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify the economy away from oil.

Name Of Ministry Of Mining Changed

The Minister in charge of the mining sector, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in company of the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Dr. Fayemi said the road map which was an offshoot of that of 2012, approved the setting up of an independent agency to regulate the industry.

He hinted reporters that the name of Ministry of Mining and Solid Minerals has also been changed to the Ministry of Mining and Steel Development.

Meanwhile, the University of Lagos and the University of Ibadan also got contract approved for the construction of a university library and international hall respectively during the meeting presided over by President Buhari on Wednesday.

Electronic Wallet Technology

The Federal Government similarly approved the renewal of contract for the electronic wallet technology platform for delivery of fertiliser to small-holder farmers in Nigeria.

The government also assented to a bill for the 2016-2018 external borrowing rolling plan to be sent to the National Assembly.