Month: June 2024

The Lagos State Government on Thursday arraigned a former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd., Olusegun Ogunbanjo, charged with N998 million stationary fraud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunbanjo, whose residential address was not provided, was arraigned on eight counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit obtaining under false pretence, stealing and forgery.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his not guilty plea, the state Counsel, Mrs Qawiat Shomade, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison, pending the hearing and the determination of his bail application.

The Defence Counsel, Mr T.E. Okeke, informed the court that he was appearing for the first time in the matter and that he needed ample time to file the bail application.

Okeke pleaded with the court for a closer date for him to file and move the bail application on behalf of his client.

‘My lord, I plead for a closer date to tender an applica
tion to grant the defendant bail,’ he said.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, thereafter, remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

Ijelu told the defence that the court would have looked into the bail application if it was ready.

‘If you had your application, the court would have looked into it but while we wait for it, the defendant should be remanded at the correctional facility,’ he said.

The judge adjourned the case until Oct.16 for commencement of trial.

Earlier, the prosecution told the court that the defendant with others still at large allegedly committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The prosecution submitted one of the court count that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N417 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun on the pretext that he was going to use the money to purchase stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor also a
lleged the defendant fraudulently collected N581 million from one Mr Olusola lkuyajesin under the guise of purchasing stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The state counsel told the court that the defendant allegedly stole and converted the sum of $5,000, property of lkuyajesin to his personal use.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant forged Punch Local Purchase Orders.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences violate Sections 411 (2) 314, 285, 287 and 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The C-Circle Research Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, an NGO, has conducted an inter-school debate competition to promote environmental sustainability and awareness among young people.

The founder of the NGO, Dr Chimere Ohajinwa, stated that the event was part of activities commemorating the 2024 World Environment Day, themed ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’

The event, which held in Abuja on Thursday was in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and other partners.

Ohajinwa, an Environmental Toxicologist and a Public Health Expert, said that 10 schools participated, engaging in discussions on climate change, environmental impacts, policy solutions, and sustainable practices.

According to her, the debate competition is a way to broaden children’s knowledge about the environment, climate change, and their impacts.

‘The debate also aims to improve public speaking and critical thinking skills in the students.

‘The competition is planned to be held t
hree times a year, with other topics organised for debate.

‘From the presentations, tree planting is used to control erosion, prevent deforestation, and mitigate other natural disasters.’

Dr Ohajinwa explained that the second discussion concluded that both infrastructure and public awareness were important for effective waste management.

She further said that the event would educate participants, raise awareness, and inspire proactive measures among the younger generation.

On his part, Oritsejolomi Ayomike, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, said Rotary is a humanitarian organisation that collaborates with the government and educational institutions.

According to him, the club works to create public awareness about harmful environmental practices and their health implications, such as open defecation and deforestation.

Ayomike emphasised that the goal was not to determine the best school but to raise awareness and educate students about environmental maintenance and its health implications
.

‘Our focus areas are the environment and basic education, which led to bringing students from different schools to debate environmental issues,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 schools were invited, but nine participated in the competition.

The debate topics were ‘Tree Planting Improves Restoration and Reduces Desertification’ and ‘Is the biggest challenge to effective waste management in Nigeria as a result of lack of infrastructure or lack of Public Awareness’.

Regina Pacis College Garki, Abuja won first place, followed by Government Secondary School, Gwagwa, in second place.

Bristol Academy, Karu, took third place, and Government Secondary School, Life-Camp, secured fourth place.

The schools received drought-resistance trees donated by Ecosmart Climate Action Initiatives.

The trees would be planted in the schools to commemorate World Environment Day 2024.

It would be monitored by C-Circle Research, a sister organisation to C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and E
nvironment.

NAN also reports that World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5, encourages awareness and action for environmental protection.

It is supported by numerous non-governmental organisations, businesses, and government entities and represents the primary United Nations outreach day for the environment.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Lagos State Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to initiate more friendly policies to promote sustainable agricultural practices by farmers.

Mr Olugbenga Aina, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman, NIFST, said this during the 10th Regional Food Science and Technology Summit/NIFST Day celebration on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the event is, ‘Attaining Sufficient, Safe and Healthy Food for Nigerians Through Food Science and Technology’.

According to him, farmers are responsible for producing the food that feeds the population.

Aina said that ensuring that farmers had the resources and support they needed to produce an adequate supply of food was essential for national food security.

He noted that supporting farmers could help stabilise rural economies, create jobs and contribute to overall economic growth.

He explained that many farmers lived in rural areas where economic opportunities may be limited, adding that by supporting farmers,
governments could help promote rural development.

‘Presently the government needs to deal with the insecurity that is affecting farmers and keeping them from farming.

‘We need food, especially now when there is inflation, insecurity and food hunger in the land.

‘This is one of the reasons why we are gathered here today to discuss this issues; food safety and security are two intertwined topics that are crucial to the development of any country,’ he said.

On cholera, the chairman said promoting good hygiene practices among communities was key to preventing further transmission of the disease.

Aina said the government had done a lot in creating awareness on the need for citizens to maintain good hygiene.

He, however, said that eating food bought from the road could make people subsceptible to cholera.

Aina advised that people should not consume food bought from the road without knowing how it was prepared.

He said the environment or the kind of water used to prepare food was vital.

The chairman said ot
her causes of cholera included eating of uncooked and contaminated foods.

He also advised that people should always wash their hands at all times before eating.

On empowerment, he said that NIFST, through its partnerships with businesses, industries and government agencies had been able to provide job opportunities for over 100 youths between 2023 and 2024.

In his address, the National President of NIFST, Prof. Abu Oneh, said that academic institutions and research organisations must continue to lead in scientific research, development and innovations needed to address the current and future challenges of food security.

He also said private sector partners, including food producers, processors and retailers must play the crucial role of bringing innovation to the market and ensure its widespread adoption.

Also, Mrs Taiwo Ubany, the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, said it was necessary for Nigeria to be able attain production of safe and healthy foods.

She noted that there were so many technolog
ies that were available or could be employed to ensure food safety and security in Nigeria.

‘Nigeria is a food basket, we have the people and the soil, all we need to do is harness the resources along with technology in order to cater for the needs of Nigerians.’

She said food sufficiency was key, and that food was available but not getting to the people because of so many issues.

Mrs Veronica Alaba, NIFST Adviser, said that the government needed to find a lasting solution to the issue of terrorism which was hindering farmers from planting crops.

According to her, the attacks have made so many farmers to stop cultivating crops, which in turn has led to food inflation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders in law enforcement and criminal justice for child sexual abuse survivors have called for the adoption of the ‘Child Forensic Interview Protocol’ to ensure that justice is served.

The stakeholders, including the Lagos State Government, the Police and non-governmental organisations, made the call at a workshop on Thursday in Lagos.

The workshop was tagged ‘3rd Installment of the Consultative Workshop for the Development and Implementation of a Child Abuse Investigation and Interview Protocol’.

Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, Chief Operations Officer of CeceYara, an NGO, said the numbers of child sexual abuses were staggering, as one out of every four girls and one in eight boys was abused before they turned 18 years.

‘Forensic Interview is a structured conversation to elicit evidential information from the child in an age-appropriate and developmental manner,’ she said.

Ajayi-Kayode noted that child sexual abuses were not easily detected because of challenges, which included poor interviewing skills,
delays in disclosure and reporting and lack of physical and supportive evidence.

Others are crude, duplicative and fragmented ways of questioning children; use of legal, verbose language that could scare or confuse children; pleas of not guilty and appeals more common than in other offences.

On his part, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, said forensic interview was a cornerstone in the quest to deliver justice, particularly in cases involving children.

‘It will also guide justice for all and exonerate the innocent,’ he said.

Pedro urged all stakeholders to be committed to the process.

Also, Ladi Ajomale, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Petition, and Human Rights at the Lagos State House of Assembly, said child protection was a responsibility and a moral obligation of society.

Ajomale, who was represented by Mrs Titilola Vivor-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), said the protocol would strengthen the mu
lti-disciplinary, critical in preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence.

‘The child forensic interview is a game changer in ensuring successful prosecution of these heinous crimes.

‘This form of interview enhances the child’s ability to communicate, lessening the traumatisation that can occur during controversial questioning methods,’ he said.

Also, Mrs Oyindamola James-Ododo, a Forensic Interviewer, recommended that the interview be done immediately after the abuse occurred to avoid the evidence being contaminated with threats or lack of adequate information.

Mrs Aderonke Oyelakin, State Coordinator, Child Protection Network, however, cautioned against retraumatisating the victim through repeated interrogations.

‘It is important that once a child says his or her story once, that child shouldn’t be subjected to go through the process again,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it is preparing a platform for ensuring an opportunity for government to interact with organised businesses for rewarding economic reforms.

NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos,

According to him, the organisation will hold Employers’ Summit, expected to drive conversations surrounding the private sector and economic development.

He said that the third edition ‘is apt as it is coming at a time of new reforms.

‘The summit is not basically to interrogate those reforms, but to deepen or share the nexus between the reforms and private sector.

‘Also, it is on how government can actually leverage the agility of the private sector to navigate through these reforms and achieve the desired outcomes.

‘This is a fundamental summit, which time has come to play a major role in the context of the growth of the private sector, economy, and competitiveness of businesses’.

Also, the Chairman of
the Summit, Mr Olumuyiwa Adebayo, said that some of the goals of the summit would include fostering dialogue.

‘In supporting government, it means we need to support them in policies, call it to order when we need to do so and this is always through advocacy.

‘We believe that sharing innovative practices is key between the private sector and government officials.

‘This is because whatever policy we have is only going to be implemented by the private sector as the case may be because it is the engine room for any economy around the world,’ he observed.

In her remarks, the Co-Chairman, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said that there must be effective communication and collaboration between the government and private sector for development.

‘We want to work together to develop strategies that will really drive economic growth.

‘Through this summit, we need to reinforce our role as private sector as the engine of national development.

‘We believe that the outcome from this engagement as we have done in other years wi
ll be driven through the government, but we will continue the conversation.

‘Thi is the beginning of a dialogue; this is what the summit is,’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Nigeria Employers’ Summit would be held between June 25 and June 26 in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is, ‘Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility ‘

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Devatop Centre for Africa Development, an anti-human trafficking and human rights organisation, has urged state governments to strengthen enforcement of laws and implementation of policies protecting children against exploitation.

The Group Project Manager, Mr Andrew Adaji, gave the advice on Thursday at the group’s commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labour.

The event, which held in Ikeja, was tagged: ‘TALKAM Against Child Labour’.

The World Day Against Child Labour is celebrated every June 12 to raise awareness and activism against child labour.

This 2024 edition had the theme: ‘Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Devatop Centre for Africa Development is focused on combating human trafficking, gender-based violence and irregular migration, as well as supporting survivors and at-risk youths.

Adaji called on governments, organisations and individuals to intensify efforts in ending child labour and ensuring children’s rights to educ
ation, health and a safe environment.

He emphasised the need for concrete actions and fulfillment of commitments toward eradicating child labour.

‘Governments should enforce the Child Rights Act and provide free and quality education.

‘They should support families with economic opportunities to reduce poverty which is a key driver of child labour.

‘Also, there is need for sensitilisation, public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the harm of child labour,’ he said.

The manager also advised parents and guardians to refrain from engaging children in harmful work or exploiting them for financial gain.

According to him, every child deserves education, protection and childhood free from exploitation.

‘Parents should ensure their children attend schools regularly and complete their education.

‘They should provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children to grow, he said.

Mrs Mienye Badejo, South-West Zonal Director, Ministry of Labour and Employment, in her keynote address, said th
at no child should be exploited in any way.

In the address titled: ‘Our Corporate Responsibility In Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Child Domestic Workers’, Badejo said that children should be treated as children, not as adults.

She said that eradicating child labour required collaboration of everyone.

‘Let us unite in the common cause of ensuring that every child in Nigeria is afforded the opportunity to grow, dream and learn.

‘They should be given the chance to contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of our great nation without the burden of exploitative child labour, ‘ she said.

Earlier, in her goodwill message, Mrs Comfort Agboko, Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Lagos Zone, called on all stakeholders to intensify interventions against child labour.

According to her, there is a difference between child work and child labour.

She said that no child should be reduced to a slave even within the family circle.

The zonal commander said that there was ne
ed to carry out evidence-based interventions with key performance indicators that would directly impact positively on children.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria