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Asaba 2018: Stadium overhead water tank collapses

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Asaba 2018: Stadium overhead water tank collapses

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] big water tank at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, venue for the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships, on Thursday collapsed and crushed two cars parked outside the fence of the stadium. However, no one was injured in the incident.The facility which collapsed left several vehicles and wall fence damaged.The incident, Grassroots Publishers online learnt caused panic among the athletes and spectators as the game was going on.

Senior Delta Government officials were busy at the stadium when the incident happened, but an eyewitness said no one was injured in the collapse.
An official of the State Sports Commission, Asaba, who craved anonymity confirmed the incident saying it could be a fallout of shoddy job at the stadium to meet the August target.The water tank, which was mounted on iron stands, was meant to serve the swimming pool, which is still under construction, and some other parts of the stadium.

While the athletes were competing, the tank crashed and destroyed parts of the stadium fence. The iron stands, on which the tank was mounted, tore the bonnet of a Sports Utility Vehicle while parts of the tank fell on another car.

“The contractor did a very bad job because that tank was too heavy for the iron serving as its stands. They needed something stronger to hold such a big tank. Nobody was injured and that is why we are thanking God.”

As of the time of filing this report, no rescue work was ongoing but some workers were seen salvaging what was left of the tank.

Asaba 2018: Amusan, Enekwechi Win Gold For Nigeria

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Asaba 2018: Amusan, Enekwechi Win Gold For Nigeria
CAA Asaba 2018 100m Female Hurdles Winnner, Tobiloba Amusan

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he host country for the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, Nigeria started raking in medals with Tobiloba Amusan and Enekwechi Chukwebuka winning two gold medals for the country on the Day 2 of action in Asaba.

Amusan who is the reigning Commonwealth Games champion had given her words on the eve of the commencement of CAA Asaba 2018 that Team Nigeria will be putting her best foot forward and she did not disappoint; winning the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.86secs.

There was more to cheer for Nigeria in the Men’s Shot Put event where Enekwechi Chukwuebuka won gold in what is his first African Championships appearance.

Enekwechi threw a distance of 21.08m to pick gold ahead of the duo of Mohamed Khalifa from Egypt and Kyle Blignaut of South Africa. While many were taken aback with the pulling out of Blessing Okagbare from the 100m event, Nigeria nonetheless made it to the podium with Joy Udo-Gabriel proving she is on top of her game; winning another bronze medal.

Temilola Ogunrinde also added to Nigeria’s medal tally on Day 2 as she won silver in the Hammer Throw with a new National Record of 67.39m.

With the high-quality performance being churned out by Africa’s best legs in Asaba, it was not surprising that the IAAF President, Sebastian Coe expressed delight at being in Delta State for the African Championships.

CAA Asaba 2018 Winner of the Men’s Shot Put Event, Enekwechi Chukwuebuka

In a press conference held on Thursday, the IAAF boss said he will be working towards getting more support for African countries even when they are organizing their regional meets.

The IAAF President said: “I am not just here just for the ceremony, I brought a big team with me from our headquarters to understand the challenges countries face in delivering athletics events like this even at the regional level.

“My team are also here to look to address and observe to see how they can be more helpful in the delivering more opportunities.” He added.

On his part, the LOC Chairman for CAA Asaba 2018, Solomon Ogba apologized for all the shortcomings and also addressed the overblown reports about athletics sleeping at the Lagos Airport before making it to Asaba. Ogba explained that most of the affected athletes arrived at the Lagos airport by the time Asaba airport has closed.

He stated that the athletes were checked into good hotels that same day for two days before planes were made available to fly them to Asaba. He said, “They told us that some athletes were at the airport and cannot go to Asaba. The foreign athletes put the organizers under pressure but that is not what we are saying right now because we have passed this stage”.

“The Nigeria media did not help matters and did not ask questions from the right source. If the team had given us their arrival schedules, we would have known were they would be arriving. This is Africa, people who cannot provide for you when they come, they’ll want to attack because they see Nigeria as a big brother”, he added.

The LOC boss, however, apologized to the journalists covering the championships for the hiccups observed at the start of the event.

He also debunked the rumors that Tanzania pulled out of Asaba 2018 as he revealed that they never expressed intention to be part of the African championships in the first place; having been absent at the Delegation Registration Meeting.

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I MAINTAIN MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR BUHARI -SENATOR GBEMISOLA SARAKI

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I MAINTAIN MY UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR BUHARI -SENATOR GBEMISOLA SARAKI
SENATOR GBEMISOLA SARAKI

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the wake of the defection of the Nigerian Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, his sister Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, has come out to declare her unwavering support for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Senator Gbemisola Saraki said, “I maintain my unwavering support for President Muhammadu Buhari, now and for his re-election in 2019, and for the success of our party, the APC, in Kwara State and across the federation”
“All the members of my political organisations including GRS Movement (GRSM); GRS Foundation (GRSF); GRS Friends on Facebook (GRSFOF); Paramount Women Forum (PWF) and GRS Grassroots Youth Movement (GRS-GYM) will begin to implement the first phase of our “Get-Out-The-Vote for PMB and APC. Politics is a public service to the people and we ought to conduct it with dignity, peace and love for our fellow citizens”.

She equally used the opportunity to state that God willing that she will replace Senator Bukola Saraki in the senate come in 2019

“I would contest for Kwara Central Senatorial election to replace Bukola Saraki in 2019 in the state under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. Bukola is a goner, He’s a real betrayer and that’s the end of his political life. I will replace him in the upper chamber and deliver Kwara State to Baba Buhari” Gbemisola said.

Senator Gbemisola Saraki had been elected in 2003 to represent Kwara Central Senatorial District under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after her stint at the Federal House of Representatives in 1999 when she represented Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State. She was the female legislator with the highest number of sponsored bills in Nigeria.

She is popularly known for her philanthropy, intelligence and love for scholarships. It is on record that asides her father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, no politician (male or female) from North Central zone had given out as much scholarships as Gbemisola Saraki. So, it will be a keenly contest fight between her and her brother in the 2019 general elections and the control of Kwara politics.

 

Grassroots Publishers take Campaign Against Drug Abuse and Cultism to schools

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Grassroots Publishers take Campaign Against Drug Abuse and Cultism to schools

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network,(GNPN) says it has taken its Media Campaign Against Drug Abuse, Cultism and Other Vices to schools and streets. The network’s Spokesman, Abiagom Philip,told newsmen in Yenagoa on Monday that the network would stop at nothing in its ongoing campaign to eradicate Drug Abuse and Cult activities in our schools. The network team on the campaign drawn from its members across the country has visited Yenagoa and Ogbia during our visit two weeks ago.

“The team visited Yenagoa community where members of the community and students were engaged at the Community Comprehensive Secondary School; Agbura Town, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.“Other areas that the team had visited included Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State where invited Students and youths were sensitised.

“The team, not relenting in its efforts, had also visited Community Secondary School , Alesa Eleme, Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, and Niger Grammar School, D/Line, Port-Harcourt, all in Rivers State where the students were highly sensitized too.  “The team also had constant lectures/sensitisation for various youths on the street a D/Line, Port-Harcourt as well as other informal sensitization meetings on the same issue,’’ he said.

The Grassroots Publishers spokesman said the team had also partnered with Corporate bodies and individuals like Dozzy Group of Companies, and Macgee Ventures, Calabar,  who have assisted this body to carry out this program and other sensitisation materials against Drug Abuse, cult activities and related vices.There has been an upsurge of Drug Abuse and Cultism activities and related crimes in the states, especially among students, young artisans and street boys in the state, recently.

The Grassroots Publishers therefore use this opportunity to call on well-meaningful Nigerians to come to aid of youths since the government cannot singlehandedly win the war against Durg abuse and cultism hence thee need to encourage all stakeholders including parents, teachers, schools, religious institutions, media, NGOs, Corporate bodies and individuals to collaborate to end this embarrasing menace of Drug abuse and cultism in our society through sensitization and advocacy on negative effect of this menace on our youths.
The Grassroots Publishers has taken this fight as a core project for the year 2018 and promise to take this sensitization campaign around the country to save our future.

Source: Grassroots Publishers

Okowa to Commission Brand New Eagle-Net Special Squad Office in Asaba

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Okowa to Commission Brand New Eagle-Net Special Squad Office in Asaba

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called for the support of all stakeholders for the security agencies so as to ensure peace and security in the society.

Grassroots Publishers reports, while speaking on Monday in Asaba during the commissioning of Police Eagle-Net Special Squad Office and operational vehicles, Gov. Okowa said the task of ensuring peace and security of the society should not be left for government alone.

“We cannot continue to leave the affairs of security just to the government alone; individuals who are blessed, corporate organizations ought to and should continue to support police in their work so that they can have the best in delivering their duties because when they have the best working environment they are likely to be more civil in your duties.

“As a country and as a people we must realize that we require the partnership of the police and we ought to be their partners if we want things to work, the private sector should support the security agencies to ensure peace and security in the country,” he stressed. Okowa commended the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and the Delta State Security Trust Fund for the building project and the operational vehicles.

“I must also thank the management of DESOPADEC and the management of the Delta state Security Trust Fund for their collaboration with the police, starting first with the Eagle Net Squad and the Transit camp for the women that was built, we need to partner with Police Force to provide conducive working environment for its officers and members, so as to get the best out of them,” he stated.

While congratulating the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Muhammed Mustafa for the leadership qualities in bringing out the best in his subordinates, the governor eulogised the initiator of the projects, DSP Usman Dimka, O/C Eagle-Net Special Squad, Asaba, for his initiative in building the office and Transit Camp and urged others to emulate him.

In his welcome address, the State Police Commissioner, CP Muhammed Mustafa appreciated Governor Okowa for his numerous support to the state Police Command and DESOPADEC for the partnership and the projects.

He commended DSP Dimka for initiating and completing the projects for the benefit of the Nigeria Police especially members of his squad.  In his brief remarks, DSP Dimka said that the projects were in fulfillment of his vision of what the future police station should look like and providing conducive working environment for his colleagues.

 

Asaba 2018: Ogba, CAA President Promise Best African Championships

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Asaba 2018: Ogba, CAA President Promise Best African Championships
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, Solomon Ogba has given assurances that Asaba 2018 will not only live up to expectations but will surpass previous  events hosted on the continent.

Ogba gave the pledge at the CAA press conference held on Monday at the Media center at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. The LOC boss said though they are a few places still being perfected, all will be ready ahead of the August 1 opening ceremony at the Gov. Okowa Main Bowl at the newly completed Stephen Keshi Stadium.

He said: This is a record-breaking championship because we have exceeded all the benchmarks given. “We have like 52 countries, 48 of which were around for the DRM.“About 90% of the athletes expected are already in the country and we have a record number of foreign journalists who have come to cover this championship”

In a press statement issued by the Head of media and publicity, Olukayode Thomas, Ogba revealed some of the innovations in place to make CAA Asaba 2018 a success.

“We are also going to mix sports and entertainment for the next five days. For the first time, we are introducing prize monies. We are very happy with the cooperation we have received from the journalists; the IAAF and the CAA will be running training for the media practitioners and we are happy about that.”

On his part, CAA President, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum admitted that he is surprised with Asaba has put in place to host the continent; adding that best of African athletics will be on parade from August 1-5.

“I visited the stadium (Stephen Keshi) several months ago but I never thought it could host a championship of this magnitude. We express our profound gratitude to the Delta state governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

“I also met the Sports minister, Solomon Dalung who told me the Federal Government will also support this event, so we are grateful to the President of the country. The CAA President said it was delightful to have the best legs on the continent in Asaba and he assured that Africa will get the best of representation at the Intercontinental Cup in Ostrava in September.

“The best athletes of Africa are already here, and we are going to select a strong team for the Intercontinental Cup that would be competing against the rest of the world.

South Africa are the defending champions of the African Senior Athletics having hosted and won the last edition on home soil in Durban.

Court restrains INEC, APC, Oshiomhole from conducting congresses in Imo

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Court restrains INEC, APC, Oshiomhole from conducting congresses in Imo

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, not to conduct any congress in Imo State until August 21.
The court also ordered the plaintiffs, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Sen. Ben Uwajimogu , Mr Mathew Omegara, Mr Hilary Ekeh and Mr Patrick Uzoukwu to maintain status quo until August 21
The vacation judge, Jutice Babatunde Quadri gave the order following an application by Mr Ahmed Raji, (SAN), counsel to the plaintiffs.
Raji had asked the court to order that all parties be restrained from conducting any primaries in the state, ward or local government until the next adjourned date of the suit.
He said that if such and order was not made and the defendants went ahead to conduct the primaries before the next adjourned date, the suit would become an academic exercise.
Raji told the court that although the defendants were duly served with an order of court stopping them from conducting congresses on July 20, they went ahead to conduct the congresses.
The senior lawyer argued that consequently, on July 23, the plaintiffs filed a motion ex parte praying the court to set aside the purported congresses.
He said they further asked the court for an order of injunction restraining APC and its chairman from recognising and swearing in those purportedly elected at the congresses.
“The court, however in its wisdom refused to grant this order and ordered us to put them on notice, and we did and duly served all processes on them but there has been no response from them.’’
Responding, counsel to the defendants, Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) told the court that he had just been briefed about the matter.
According to Okpeseyi, all I could achieve as at today is to file a memorandum of conditional appearance.
Okpeseyi alluded to the fact that his clients had been unable to file the proper responses owing to the “political maneuvering” they had recently been faced with including the mass defection from the party.
“The executive members of the party have not been around so the best we could do is to file a memorandum of conditional appearance.
“We want to crave the indulgence of the court to give us more time within which to file our processes.’’
He prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him file the necessary processes.
The plaintiff’s counsel, however, disagreed with Okpeseyi’s reason for his inability to file his processes saying such reasons were not permissible in law.
According to him, this unusual and unheard-of oral application of the defendant has no basis and should be rejected because the alleged defection he alluded to happened after they were served with processes.
Justice Quadri in a short ruling, ordered all parties in the suit to maintain status quo and not conduct any primaries until the next adjourned date.
‘’All parties are restrained from conducting any primaries in the state, ward or local government until Aug. 21.’’
He awarded a cost of N10,000 against the defendants for not filing their processes within the stipulated time and adjourned the matter until Aug. 21 to allow the defendants regularize their processes.
In the originating summons, the plaintiffs have formulated four questions for the court to determine.
One of which is that having regard to an appeal pending before the Court of Appeal in Owerri, whether INEC has the power to monitor the state, ward and local government congresses of the APC of July 20.
“Whether the APC and its chairman have the powers to lawfully schedule or conduct the state, ward and local government primaries in the state without 21 days’ notice given to INEC in line with mandatory provisions of Section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.’’
Consequently, the plaintiffs are asking for the following reliefs;“ A declaration that having regard to the appeal pending before the Court of Appeal in Owerri, INEC has no power to monitor state, ward and local government congresses of the APC of July 20.
“A declaration that the state, ward and local government congresses of the APC purportedly scheduled to hold in Imo on July 20 is illegal, unlawful, null and void and a gross abuse of court process.
“An order of injunction restraining INEC from monitoring state, ward and local government congresses of the APC purportedly scheduled to hold in Imo on July 20.
“An order nullifying or setting aside the state, ward and local government congresses of the APC scheduled to hold or which held in Imo on July 20.

Nigeria Customs creates window for payment of duty on smuggled vehicles

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Col. Hameed Ali (rtd)
Comptroller General of Customs

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has created a new window for vehicle owners who imported them illegally to pay appropriate Customs duty. Customs Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali reportedly granted the request by some clearing agents who visited him in Abuja recently.“When we visited the CGC, in the presence of his management, we made a verbal request to the CGC to consider reopening of duty payment like the platform they had around March and April last year for those cars that were improperly brought into the country. So instead of them being arrested, they are being requested to come and pay appropriate duty on them to avoid being seized.
The spokesman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Joe Sanni stated that the request was granted and that is why we are driving the process but it is open to the general public. The CGC immediately told the Customs Public Relations Officer to coordinate the request. “This is not a grace period because there is no period attached to this one but it is like an opportunity or open cheque given to those improperly imported vehicles,” he added.
He said vehicle owners or importers who are in doubt of the authenticity of their vehicles Customs documentation should take advantage of the new window to regularize their import duty payment. “So far, people are coming forward with their applications all over the country and once we have a substantial number, we head to Abuja and the PRO now takes us to who is going to issue the value and the way to go and pay,” he said.
However, Customs National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, denied knowledge of the new window. “I am not aware of the arrangement and I cannot comment on a non-existing programme. There is nothing like grace period,” Attah said.

Gridlock: Lagos shuts five bonded terminals

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Gridlock: Lagos shuts five bonded terminals

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE Lagos State Building Control Agency has closed five illegal bonded terminals and five other buildings in the Ajegunle area of the state. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had last week ordered the closure of all illegal bonded terminals in Ajegunle, in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, saying they contributed to the gridlock in the Apapa area of Lagos.

Officials of LASBCA stormed the area on Friday and shut down the affected terminals and structures.The Queena Bonded Terminal, Don Climax Bonded Terminal and others were sealed by the government officials.

The popular Godday Cinema that had existed for decades in Ajegunle was also closed by the officials, while some buildings converted from residential to commercial purposes were shut.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Lekan Shodeinde, who was represented by the agency’s secretary, Tayo Fakolujo, said the exercise was to ensure that building development in the state followed approved layouts and due process.

He said, “The government in its quest to turn the state into a smart city is making Lagos a well-planned and structured society where buildings are constructed according to building plan approved by the government.

“All bonded terminals operating within residential areas will be sealed. The genesis of Apapa’s gridlock is indiscriminate citing of tank farms and bonded terminals without any approval from the government.”

BREAKING!!! Imo Assembly Impeach Deputy Governor

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BREAKING!!! Imo Assembly Impeach Deputy Governor

[dropcap] D[/dropcap]eputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere The Imo State House of Assembly has impeached the Deputy Governor, Mr Eze Madumere. He was impeached on Monday by 19 members out of the 27 member-assembly. Grassroots Publishers will bring details as they unfold.

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