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Tag: SON

  • SON intercepts, confiscates over N8bn worth of substandard cables

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has evacuated substandard locally cloned cables worth over N8 billion in two warehouses in Ajagbandi area in Lagos State as part of moves to ‎prevent the cables from getting into the market.

    The Director, Inspectorate and Compliance of SON, Engr. Bede Obayi, during an enforcement exercise explained that the importer of the cables will face the full wrath of the law for indulging in such nefarious activity.

    Some of the established brands recovered from the operation include Coleman, Nexans, purechem and other unbranded cables.He said the enforcement exercise is in line with the federal government’s quest to protect local industries from unfair competition against the influx of substandard goods.

    According to him, SON has made some enviable progress in the nation’s cable market, saying that this is the reason why these importers go abroad ‎to clone Nigerian cables.

    “All these cloned-Nigerian cable were made in China, but being packaged as made-in-Nigeria products and you know we are proud of made-in-Nigeria cables, because it is about the ‎best cable over the world. This will not be accepted and SON will not allow it. We are going to go after the importer and also going to prosecute him according to the act of SON.

    “The total value of these cables is estimated to be over N8 billion. You can imagine Nigerians losing N8 billion to this nefarious activity by these unscrupulous importers. Which company will survive when substandard products are taking over production capacities of local industries and with employment generation also being affected?

    “We are already moving them out because we have to take them out of circulation, we cannot allow these‎ cables to enter the Nigerian markets and this is why we are evacuating them from the warehouses. We want to use this medium to send a stern warning to other importers who engage in this kind of illicit trade to say that there is no room for these kinds of trade in Nigeria.” ‎

    He however advised Nigerian consumers to always ask questions before buying products, saying that ‎the qualities of these brands are not the same with certified brands while also adding that SON is not behind these brands.

     

  • Lack of collaboration hampers biotechnology effectiveness – Experts

    Lack of collaboration hampers biotechnology effectiveness – Experts

    Biotechnology experts say lack of collaboration in the face of limited resources will hamper the efficiency and effectiveness of the use and application of biotechnology in Nigeria.

    The experts told the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews on Friday in Abuja that only synergy would help the nation achieve food security.

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), said that modern biotechnology was becoming increasingly important in addressing emerging food security, social and economic challenges.

    “With its perceived and real unintended consequences, regulatory agencies and stakeholders must unite with a sense of purpose, vision, mission and determination to ensure that our nation reap the benefits of biotechnology.

    “We have an excellent working relationship with, and Memorandums of Understanding with agencies like NAFDAC, SON, the Nigerian Customs Services, NABDA, ARCN, Ministries of Environment, Health and others.

    “We have been organising workshops and involved in seminars that encourages effective collaboration with other regulatory Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the use and application of biotechnology.

    “This is part of our effort to keep Nigerians abreast of laid down internationally accepted procedures for verification of GM foods and Feed Safety; and determine the future activities to build necessary capacity in the Nigeria biosafety regulatory system,’’ he said.

    He said that the agency had put in place world class measures, equipment and international arrangements that ensured the practice of modern biotechnology in Nigeria was one of the safest in the world.

    Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), said collaboration in the adoption of biotechnology would facilitate sustainable agricultural production in the country.

    He said that the adoption of biotechnology applications was the panacea to the current food challenges facing the country.

    “Biotechnology, including genetic engineering and production of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), provides powerful tools for the sustainable development of agriculture, fishery and forestry, as well as meeting the food needs of the population.

    “GMOs currently account for about 16 per cent of the world’s crops, particularly crops like soybean, maize, cotton and canola, and there are indications that the growing trend will continue.

    “So, we must eat what we grow and grow what we eat. This means we ought to produce more and agricultural biotechnology is a tool for achieving this,’’ he said.

    Ubi also pledged the support of the BSN for the efforts of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to harness the potential of modern biotechnology.

  • ‘It’s like a miracle!’-Tiwa Savage emotional as son sings her song[Video]

    Nigerian songstress, Tiwa Savage has stated how excited she was, when her son Jamil, sang her song. The beautiful mother of one took to her Instagram page, sharing the video of her cute son attempting to sing her along.

    The All Over singer wrote: “So one day I was singing my song and out of nowhere my son started singing along. I was so shocked and emotional and happy and teary. My tiny baby of just yesterday is growing so fast. Every development I witness is like a miracle just like when he started walking or when he started school. Didn’t even mean to write this much but my little man is everything to me. I love him sooooo much,my lil jam jam. Na because of you wey I get goosebumps”.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUmBMNKAtak/?taken-by=tiwasavage

  • ‘My three-month-old baby survived horrible head injury-‘Mosunmola Filani

    Beautiful actress Mosunmola Filani, shocked many of her fans when she narrated how she and her then three-month-old son fell off the stairs, leading to a ghastly head injury sustained by the baby.

    In a birthday post, shared on Instagram in celebration of the young boy who is now three years old,the actress narrated the horrific incident, thanking God that her son is still alive.

    Read her story below

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUbQSxTAXsZ/?taken-by=ayabaoduoye

  • People once advised me to kill my ailing son – Wife of Kogi Governor

    People once advised me to kill my ailing son – Wife of Kogi Governor

     

    Wife of Kogi State Governor, Mrs. Amina Bello has said members of her immediate family once advised her to kill her sick son.

    The governor’s wife recalled how her son, who was suffering from cerebral palsy made her become a laughing stock among family members.

    She made this known in a chat with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

    She said, “I was advised to inject my son with harmful substance and some people advised me to take him to the village.

    “There is also the stigma which starts from your immediate environment. People will be whispering when a child with special needs or his parents are around.

    “This has made a lot of parents to live in depression.

    “This is the reason why some parents choose to live in denial and lick up such children.

    “Before you set up a school, it must be accessible to these children with special needs. You must have special teachers or therapists in every class and of course you should be certified fit to open a school for special needs children.

    “Government needs to provide wheelchairs for physically-challenged children and enforce that schools discriminating against the children should be shut down.

    “Schools which discriminate against children who are living with physical and developmental challenges should be shut down,” she added.

     

  • N1.1. billion fraud: Ex-FCT Minister’s son secure N100m bail

    N1.1. billion fraud: Ex-FCT Minister’s son secure N100m bail

    The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Friday, granted N100million bail to son of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, who is facing money laundering charges.

    The defendant was brought to court in handcuffs by prison officials. Trial Justice Nnamdi Dimgba had on Wednesday remanded Shamsudeen in Kuje Prison after he pleaded not guilty to a 15-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

    However, the defendant, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, begged the court to release him on bail pending the hearing and determination of the case against him.

    The application was vehemently opposed by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Ben Ikani, who alleged plot by the defendant to escape from the country once out of detention.

    The prosecution told the court that the ex-Minister’s son blatantly refused to surrender his international passport to the EFCC. Ruling on the application on Friday, Justice Dimgba said he was minded to grant the plea considering that allegations against the defendant are bailable offences.

    The court stressed that the defendant must produce two reasonable sureties to enter into N50m bail bond each, even as it fixed March 27 and 28 for commencement of trial.

    Shamsudeen is facing trial alongside four firms- Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd, Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd and Bal-Vac Mining Ltd, which the EFCC said were used to launder over N1.1billion.

    EFCC alleged that the 1st defendant, in a bid to conceal stolen funds at his disposal, resorted to acquisition of houses within the high brow areas in Abuja.

    It told the court that Shamsudeen paid cash for five plots of land and four other choice properties in Abuja. Some of the assets traced to him include five plots of land at Asokoro Gardens; House FS 2 B, Green Acre Estate Apo-Dutse, Abuja; House FS 1A, Green Acre Estate, Apo-Dutse; FS 1B, Green Acre Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja and House 2A, No. 7, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.

    According to the prosecution, the 1st defendant whose father, Bala Mohammed, is currently under detention, paid for the assets in excess of the statutory limit, without recourse to any financial institution.

    Aside allegation that he failed to declare his assets when he completed the EFCC Asset Declaration Form A, the ex-Minister’s son was further accused of concealing four accounts he operated with Standard Chartered Bank. EFCC gave the said account numbers as 0001857597, 5001214708, 0000895037 and 000895020.

    The agency had earlier seized some properties it traced to the defendant and his father who is under investigation over an alleged fraudulent N1trillion land swap deal that took place between 2010 and 2015 while he was in office as FCT Minister.

  • Fans battle Tonto Dike ‘s hubby for revealing son’s face

    Tonto Dike’s hubby, Oladunni Olakunle Church revealed their son’s face today.

    While some of Tonto’s fans are happy to finally see the young boy’s face, some of them think it’s a means to spite her as he has thwarted her effort to keep his face away from the media.

    Read the comments below

    Every one knows Tonto Dike is not yet uncomfortable revealing the face of her son. Is her husband going against their mutual agreement,by revealing their son’s face?

  • SON to destroy N400m worth of fake tyres

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON has said it will destroy about N400m worth of substandard tyres confiscated from dealers across the country.

    According to SON, the tyres have been mopped away from public use and has been properly secured at its warehouse from where it will be destroyed.

    The Director-General, SON, Mr. Osita Aboloma, who disclosed this in Abuja, added that the tyres were mopped up by the agency’s enforcement teams across the country over the last few months, adding that the tyres would be destroyed to safeguard lives and properties of innocent Nigerians.

    The DG said the measure has become imperative to serve as a deterrent to others in the habit of dealing in substandard products.

    He explained that in spite of their threat to live, substandard products also choke genuine products, exacerbate unemployment and contribute to crimes.

    In his words: “We will continue to take necessary steps towards cleaning up our economy and our country of substandard products so that Nigerians will have the benefit of enjoying quality and safe products. It is also of creating space for Nigerian-made products to sell, because right now, many quality local products are being choked by cheap imported but substandard ones.”

    He enjoined motorists to take additional precautions while conveying passengers to and from different locations during the yuletide, adding that such precautions should begin with a thorough check on the state of the tyres, including whether they were running on the right air pressures or not.

    According to Aboloma, the status of vehicle tyres is a strong determinant of safety behind the wheels, saying that motorists should take this into consideration.

    He blamed carelessness on the part of motorists and also the bid to maximise profits as reasons for incessant road crashes resulting from tyre failures, adding that although vehicle parts were important, the tyre condition was of critical importance.

    Aboloma said his agency would continue to sensitise Nigerians to the propriety of double-checking the quality of products they buy, while at the same time sanctioning those behind the distribution and sale of substandard products

     

  • Nigerian army promotes Obasanjo’s son, 11 others

    Adebayo Obasanjo, a son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was among 12 senior military officers at the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army who were yesterday decorated with their new ranks after the Army Council’s approval of 226 for the nationwide exercise.

    Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Major General Peter Dauke whose ceremonial decoration was done in Abuja, last week, was introduced to his officers and men with his new rank at the military formation’s headquarters in Jos.

    Colonel Obasanjo was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, two years after he was rushed back from the battle front where he sustained serious injuries engaging with the terrorists Boko Haram in Adamawa State.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Burati, was represented at the event by Major General Nicholas Ibe Rogers, the commander of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a peace operation stationed in Plateau and parts of Bauchi state.

    Six senior offers wore the new rank of Brigadier General, the senior among whom is Brigadier General Ibrahim Dogara Yusuf, whose appointment has been due since 2014.

    The other six were promoted to the rank of colonel, among whom is Adebayo Obasanjo.

    The COAS told the newly promoted officers to consider their new ranks as a new level of commitment to the ideal of the Nigerian military, and to remain loyal to the system.

    The GOC, Major General Dauke charged them to show more loyalty and dedication to the service.

  • How I almost aborted my son- Regina Chukwu

    How I almost aborted my son- Regina Chukwu

    Regina Chukwu is a notable name in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood. The beautiful mother of two whose son is a year older today, took to her social media page to share the story of how she wanted to abort the baby.

    According to her:”4yrs ago a prince was born? Am I going to write an epistle this year AGAIN? Ofcos I will?This young man here reminds me so much of his late father .

    Come with me as I travel down memory lane; On this faithful day, I walked into my then pastor’s office (I had come for counseling) after exchanging pleasantries, the pastor showed me to a seat and as i made to seat comfortably he said dnd I quote ‘Sister the lord will visit you with a male child soon’ on hearing that my eyes went straight to the calendar that was hung on the wall of his office, and I realized I was 2 weeks late?there and then, the world around me collapsed, I am supposed to be happy but I was not, why? You do ask….. as at that time, we were living from hand to mouth, my husband was sick and to crown it all Racheal was just like a year.

     

    At that spot I decided abortion was the solution but I made sure not to betray my emotion in the presence of our pastor. I got home and I said to my husband ‘I think I am pregnant’ and like I had envisaged he said it to me point blank ‘we are getting rid of it’ how do we have another child in this condition ?

    I said okay but that the pastor said it’s a male child o and like the typical Igbo man that my husband is now, his face brightened up at the mention of a MALE child, so he said to me ‘chi maybe we should leave it, God will provide’ he was from zero to 100 in less than a min? to cut the long story short Maduabuchi Richard Nwafor came into our lives after nine months and the father left us when he was just 4months (he waited for him) a lot of things happened in that space of 13 months but it’s a story for another day ? my son thank God I kept you, you and your sister have been a great source of strength to me this past years. Sunday left me with the most beautiful gift which is the both of you, and I love that you are my kids cos no one understands me like the both of you? I pray this will not be your last birthday on earth ? your father died young you will live to be very old?? I will never have any cause to cry over U both ?? happy birthday son momma loves u scarra N ur sister loves you too”