Category: General

Two women, a financial advisor at Sanlam and an employee of Hollard Insurance in Rundu made their first court appearance on Monday on charges of defrauding a Sanlam client of N.dollars 200 000.

The two accused are Victoria Kavu, 32, and 39-year-old Christophine Shininge.

According to the charge sheet the two allegedly defrauded a Sanlam client of N.dollars 200 000 which the client deposited into her account.

The two were arrested on 06 June 2023.

Police records revealed that Kavu, who is stationed the Sanlam financial advisor at Bank Windhoek, allegedly transferred the N.dollars 200 000 to a Hollard personal account of Shininge, who is her friend.

The two appeared before Magistrate Sonia Sampofu.

Kavu is charged with two counts, fraud and contravening Section 4 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2004, which deals with unlawfully disguising the origin of the proceeds.

Shininge is charged with three counts – fraud, contravening Section 5 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 2004 which deals with assisting a person who obtained the proceeds unlawfully and controlling that on their behalf, and contravening Section 6 of the same act which deals with acquiring the proceeds unlawfully.

The two accused were first given bail of N.dollars 40 000 each which was reduced to N.dollars 10 000 on Tuesday on grounds that the women are both breadwinners for their families.

Kavu was represented by Bernhard Tjatjara Law Firm and Shininge by Thomas Appolus Law Firm, while Variety Matamata represented the State.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) has appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to establish a joint committee on electricity safety, security and enforcement.

The National President of LECAN, Mr John Etim, made this appeal while delivering an inaugural lecture at the inauguration of the Executive Members of LECAN, FCT Chapter.

The lecture was titled: “Addressing Epileptic Power Supply in the Federal Capital Territory: Perspective of Licensed Electrical Contractors of Nigeria.”

Etim said that the establishment of the FCT Joint Electricity Safety, Security and Standards enforcement committee would reduce epileptic power supply in the territory.

“The committee should comprise of members of LECAN, Works Department of FCTA, FCT Fire Service, FCT Police Command, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA),

“FCT, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCD), Representatives of works department of the Six Area Councils of FCT, representative of Civil Society Organisation working in the Power Sector,” he said.

Etim listed the functions of the committee to include ensuring that fake electrical materials in the markets of FCT are confiscated and the dealers prosecuted.

“Monitor electrical installations in FCT to ensure that NEMSA criteria for best practice are complied with.

“Identify quacks who carry out installations within and outside Distribution Company (DISCO) staff are prosecuted and also ensure that new installations are inspected and tested before connection to the grid,” he said

He said that the committee should not be seen to be taking over NEMSA’s job, but would rather be supporting it to deliver on it functions as provided by the new Electricity Act.

According to him, FCTA should consider safety reliability and quality standard in the electricity sector as a priority in its development agenda.

“This is to prevent incidents of fire outbreak, destruction of electrical equipment’s and gadgets and loss of lives,”he said.

While congratulating LECAN FCT Chapter new executives, he urged them to ensure safety in the discharge of their duties.

On his part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, said that collaboration between stakeholders is key to achieving significant result in the sector.

He was represented by Mr Bright Obidi, Acting Head, Regulatory, Safety and Certification Unit, NEMSA

He urged the new executives to take seriously the instrument of uniform professional standards by upholding the code of ethics of the profession.

” Using the mechanism of conflict resolution where required to ensuring seamless collaboration for the betterment of all in the sector, ”he said.

Earlier, retired Navy Captain, Umar Bakori , Commandant-General, Vigilante Group, Nigeria, said the event was apt considering the importance of electricity.

Bakori said that ensuring safety of the sector is everyone’s business.

”And we have vigilante in every local government in the Federation to ensure the protection of power equipment which is critical, ”he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) has unveiled the Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) champions initiative, aimed at achieving “zero hunger” for the country.

The President, UNESCO REF, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, in Abuja on Wednesday said that initiative under its Strategic Intervention Programme -ALPHA (SIP-ALPHA) would help in attain the United Nations global goals before or by 2030.

According to him, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil.

As such, from 1960 to 1969, the sector accounted for average of 57 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generated 64.5 per cent of export earnings.

Recognising the key role women play in agriculture, Ladigbolu said the initiative could not have come at any better time than now when food insecurity had become a major issue.

”The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that women make up 43 per cent of the agricultural workforce globally. This number goes up to over 60 per cent in least developed countries.

” In spite of the key role women play in agricultural development, women have less access to technologies, In information, resources, and finance for their agriculture activities across the globe.

”The cost of the gender productivity gap in agriculture-inequalities in access to and control of productive and financial resources inhibits agricultural productivity, reduces food security, and costs millions to countries,” he said.

The president also said that agriculture has incredible impact on lives and communities ranging from food provision to creating jobs and economic opportunities.

He canvassed for the exploration of new technologies and approaches that would transform the agricultural industry.

“At UNESCO REF, we are optimistic that this transformative approach would enhance the acceleration of past progress made by putting us on track towards achieving the goal of strengthening small holders, women’s livelihood and resilience in Nigeria.

” This is part of concerted efforts in ensuring food security, addressing food waste and loss, improve food nutrition security and provide them with viable strategies that create real, long-term results for economic development and community stability,” he added

He stressed the need for equal inclusion of women in all areas of development initiatives as this would enable them to fully use their potential, creativity and talents.

He said that their inclusion was instrumental for the economic development of the country, adding that the economic strength of women would help achieve other pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Women’s Space in the United States, Ogechi Onyeukwu, said risks were associated with food insecurity, hunger, poverty and poor diets, hence the need for the initiative.

Onyeukwu said the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had accelerated a global food crisis, driving millions more into extreme poverty, and around 205 million people across 45 countries now have so little food to eat.

”As a Nigerian in the diaspora, I have always been passionate about the development of women development and find it paramount to contribute my own quarter towards the actualisation of the United Nations global goal in the country.

”That is why I took it upon myself to talk to relevant stakeholders in the US, most especially with the executive members of Women’s space to see reasons why we should invest in women capacity building, focusing on the agricultural sector.

”This is because agriculture is also crucial to economic growth, accounting for 4 per cent of global GDP and in some least-developed countries, it can account for more than 25 per cent of GDP,” she said.

She further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to embrace the cause of women’s development to create a supportive environment for Nigerian women to thrive.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Olajide Babayemi of Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan has urged the Federal Government to conduct census to ascertain the total number of animals in the country.

Babayemi, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday, said that the census would help in policy formation on animals.

According to him, there is no record on total number of animals living in the country.

He said that President Bola Tinubu should concentrate on agriculture to improve food production, saying there are crops, animals and other components that help agriculture.

“When we talk about food security, we are talking of agriculture; our new president should face agriculture squarely to enhance production in the sector

“The president should focus on carrying out survey to know the number of animals that we have in Nigeria. Animal census is as good as human census too. We don’t have the data, what we have is an assumption,’’ he said.

The don queried the 12 million cattle figure and 40 million goats quoted in Nigeria, saying, who told you that?.

“For example, if you have 24 million cattle in Nigeria, divide it by number of people that you have, that will give you an idea of what is on the table or on ground.

“When last did we do animal census? No one can say. I have never seen where it is done. Since I have been born, it has never been done,” he said.

Babayemi said that the Federal Government should conduct the census as done in other countries where record keeping plays a major role in planning.

He said that nobody could answer the question on the total number of animals in the country as well as whether enough are being produced due to lack of data.

He said, “In other places they know the number of animals they have in their country at any point in time. If an animal has delivered today, there is a record that a new baby in the animal kingdom has been born.

“But in Nigeria, we don’t have any record, adding that government should discourage the dependence on foreign supply of animals from neighbouring countries.”

According to him, some of the animals consumed in Nigeria come from Niger, Mali, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries.

He said that though there are other sources of protein like fish, chicken and others, but all over the world, people depend on cattle because it could serve the population as much as possible.

He added that Nigeria should not continue to depend on the neighbouring countries for cattle and urged the president to focus mainly on agriculture.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A coalition of 30 Anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations have called on President Bola Tinubu to revive anti-corruption fight in the country and reel out agenda to curb its spread.

Spokesperson for the group, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, who is also the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), made the call on Tuesday in Abuja.

Rafsanjani said that the nation had been plagued with corrupt practices manifesting in different forms for many years and these has resulted in slowness in the judicial process.

He listed low reporting of corrupt practices by citizens due to mistrust in the system, lack of whistle blower and witness protection law to protect whistle-blowers, underfunding of anti-graft agencies and non-adherence to laws as part of corruption.

He said that the absence of political will at the highest level of government and the lack of implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, political corruption among others as other causes of corruption.

He, therefore, said the group made some recommendations like the Federal Government should pass the Whistle-blower and Witness Protection Bill into law.

The recommendation according to him, also include full implementation of the National Strategy on anti-corruption and the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 across all the states of the Federation including the FCT.

“Compulsory capacity building exercise for staff of public institutions on the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 2011.

“Effective monitoring and implementation of the Beneficial Ownership register in full compliance with the provisions of CAMA for improved transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.

“Effective implementation of the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act, 2022 and OGP NAP III.”

Rafsanjani called for improved funding for ICPC and Code of Conduct Bureau as well as review by the National Assembly of the provisions of the Acts establishing the ICPC, EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau regarding the mode of appointment of the Chairman and other key laws used to prosecute cases .

He said that these would also result in increased number of convictions of politically exposed persons (PEP) by the EFCC and ICPC.

“In amending the enabling Acts of the anti- corruption agencies, we suggest security of tenure for heads of these agencies.

“Investigation of all public officers and politically exposed persons (PEP) named in the Pandora papers, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Genko scandal and FinCEN Files.

“While those found guilty be made to face the full wrath of the law as a deterrent to others,” he said.

He also called for reform of financial institutions such as CBN and commercial banks, FIRS, Nigerian Ports Authority and Maritime sector. These have become money laundering gateways.

Rafsanjani said that there was the need to take concrete steps to foster great judicial independence by institutionalisng real financial autonomy for the judiciary.

He said this currently depended on disbursements that were often delayed by the executive.

He said the group demanded that anti-corruption and security agencies demonstrated greater transparency with regards to their budgets and expenditures, developing strategic capacity-building spending plans.

He urged the government to prioritise the need to ensure that information and data in the oil and gas sector was provided.

He called for the need to engage state government to align with all anti-corruption strategies and initiatives at the federal level and in particular, get all those states that have not domesticated the Freedom of Information Act to do so,

Rafsanjani said that there was need to improve and strengthen the autonomy, independence and institutional capacity of state-level anti-corrupting agencies and create better synergy between them and their counter-parts at the federal level.

“There should be respect for civil space by those in authority. Civil Society Organisations and citizens should have the liberty of expressing themselves regarding issues of governance and well-being of citizens without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“Government should see the role CSOs play as complimentary rather than antagonistic.

“For genuinely confidential procurements in the Defense Sector, we recommend that a separate legal procedure should be designed allowing for monitoring by a confidential Senate Committee.”

Rafsanjani said the group also recommended that the National Assembly should fast tracks the process of reviewing the obsolete current audit act to empower the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in discharging his duty.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has strongly condemned the continuation of abuse and murder of elderly people accused of witchcraft.

MEC Khoza has reiterated that witchcraft-related violence is a deeply rooted issue that requires immediate attention and concerted efforts from both the government and society as a whole.

Khoza made the remarks following the brutal murder of a 74-year-old pensioner, Solani Mchunu, from Bandlaneni area in KwaNongoma.

Mchunu was allegedly murdered by a local boy at the weekend, after accusing him of witchcraft.

It is alleged that the community also stoned the accused to death after he was seen following Mchunu.

“As the community of this province, we should understand that every individual has the right to life, dignity and freedom from violence. Therefore, targeting and persecution of individuals based on accusations of witchcraft is not only morally repugnant, but also a violation of fundamental human rights,” Khoza said.

Khoza has strongly condemned the continuation of abuse and murder of elderly people accused of witchcraft.

She said it is crucial for communities to foster understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity, recognising that myths about witchcraft do not justify violence.

The MEC has also called upon the law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this heinous crime and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

“It is essential that the legal system sends a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated and that those responsible will face the full force of the law.

“We also urge community leaders, religious institutions and civil society organisations to come together and address the issue of accusing elderly people of witchcraft through education, awareness campaigns and dialogue,” Khoza said.

She emphasised the importance of dispelling myths, challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting respect for human rights, and the rule of law.

The MEC appealed to the public to prioritise the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, who may be more susceptible to accusations of witchcraft.

She further called on KwaZulu-Natal citizens to stand united in condemning the brutal murder and all forms of violence associated with witchcraft accusations.

“It is our collective responsibility to create a society that values human life, respects, diversity and upholds the principles of justice and equality. We call on all stakeholders to work together to address this pressing issue and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.”

Khoza sent her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the local community for their loss.

She said a team of social workers has been dispatched to both families, to provide adequate psychosocial support, including trauma debriefing and trauma containment.

Source: South African Government News Agency