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Buratai urges Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue with FG
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has appealed to the Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue with the federal government to resolve issues in the region.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, at the inauguration of a newly built ultra-modern 2 Brigade Headquarters complex and Olympic-size swimming pool in Port-Harcourt yesterday, the COAS urged the militants to shun violence in making their demands, saying dialogue is the best option in a democratic dispensation.
“Government is still committed to dialogue and where this cannot go on – then there could be resort to other means.
“The non-kinetic (force) means has always been the source first before government can recourse to the kinetic means.
“So, there is need for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government,” he said.
Buratai said the Nigerian Army would provide adequate security during the July 30 legislative re-run election.
He said the army had challenges including shortage of accommodation, offices in the discharge of its responsibilities
The COAS said despite the dwindling resources there were efforts at renovating dilapidated structures and building new ones.
Muslim doctors to assist patients with heart ailments
By Musa Abdullahi Krishi & Aliyu M. Hamagam, Dutse
The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) will soon begin an intervention programme to assist patients with heart ailments across the country.
The association, which is an affiliate of the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA), said in a statement by its National President, Dr Salisu Ismail, that the project would go a long way in helping people with heart diseases.
He said the decision to start the project in Nigeria was reached in Abuja last Thursday by delegates that attended the 17th IMAN International Scientific Conference. While urging Nigerians to support the project which has the theme: ‘FIMA Save the Heart’, Ismail said the association recently organized free surgeries for 500 patients with cataract and 100 others with Vesico Viginal Fistula (VVF), in collaboration with other organizations.
He said the topic of this year’s conference, which was ‘Eradication of Communicable Diseases: West Africa and Nigerian Experience,’ was chosen to highlight the success Nigeria achieved recently in eradicating polio, containing Ebola and Lassa fever.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 200 people suffering from cataract are expected to undergo free medical surgery in Jigawa State.
The Coordinator, Eye Care and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Abdulrahman Ashiru, disclosed this in Dutse, saying the programme was carried out under the auspices of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria and the Federation of Islamic Medical Association with the support of the Jigawa State government, Albasar International, Christopel Blind Mission and Sight Savers.
He said 115 patients had undergone surgery in the first round of the exercise while the rest would have theirs in the next few days, adding that a team of experts was already on ground.
Veterinarians inducted into professional associations
By Abdullateef Salau
The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) was yesterday in Abuja inducted into the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).
NVMA President, Dr. Edgar Amos Sunday, in his speech at the occasion, said the association wanted to join APBN earlier when it applied in 2012 but was the process was delayed till this year.
He noted that the APBN 2016 summit of professionals would open today in Abuja with the theme: ‘ GDP Growth and Diversification: Present Day Realities’ and the sub theme: Developing Agricultural Value Chain for Export.
Dr. Sunday said although records had made reference to veterinary activity in Nigeria since 1914, the NVMA as the umbrella body of veterinary surgeons came into existence in 1963.
Keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Junaidu Maina, said the menace of cattle rustling, which poses threat to investment in Nigeria, could be addressed through collaboration between veterinary practitioners and a combined justice system.
Police arraign estate surveyor over forgery
By John Chuks Azu
An estate surveyor, Chinedu Nwosu, has been arraigned by the FCT Police Command before a Senior Magistrate’s Court in Abuja for allegedly forging land documents.
Nwosu, 56, is also facing a two-count charge of giving false information to the police. The offences are contrary to Section 140 and 364 of the Penal Code Law.
He however pleaded not guilty to the offence. He was also alleged to have presented fake land papers to the police after he was summoned over a cross petition with one Christopher Emefiele.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Chief Magistrate Usman Shuaibu adjourned the case to Sept 5 for hearing.
EFCC arrests 5 undergraduates over internet scam
By Ronald Mutum?
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five undergraduates over an alleged internet fraud.
A statement from EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said operatives at its ?Ibadan Zonal Office arrested the five suspects, four from the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) and the other from Adekunle Ajashin University, Akungba (AAUA).
Uwujaren said they were picked up? at an off-campus residence at Anuoluwapo Close, Stateline Hotel Road, off FUTA South Gate, Akure, Ondo State.
They include: Adeleke Paul, 21, Adebiyi Tayo Abudu, 22, Akinsanmi Olusola Adeniyi 21, Ogundile Ademola James, 23 and Okali Ugochukwu, 21.
Paul is a final year student of Building Technology while James and Olusola are both 400 level students of Agricultural Resources and Mathematics respectively.
?Okali is a 200 level student of Urban and Regional Planning, while Adebiyi Tayo is a 300 level Student of Mathematics at the Adekunle Ajashin University Akungba, Ondo State.
Uwujaren added that ?the commission got wind of their activities through intelligence gathering.
“?Paul and his co-travellers who go about with the name: Tsunnami Gang and Young Pablo Money, allegedly swindled unsuspecting foreigners and others to the tune of N16m recently,?” he said, adding they obtained money through scam mails.
Uwujaren noted that at the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered a 2006 black Toyota Highlander with registration number Lagos LND 112 EG, a 2010 light- green Toyota Camry (Muscle) with registration number Lagos AAA 850 EF, laptop computers, three Apple iphone6 and three Blackberry phones from them.
He said ?some implicating documents were also found and downloaded from their laptops, adding that would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.?