Author: Isah Mukhtar

1 Enugu state commissioner for Information addresses journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

2.  The mascot for the Federal Public Service Games to be unveiled in Jos to herald commencement of the games.

3. Gov. Tanko Al-Makura meets traditional rulers.

4. Fiscal Responsibility Commission continues verification of projects executed by the Federal Government in Sokoto State.

5.The coronation of the Agwam Atyap, the paramount Chief of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, takes place in Zangon Kataf.

6.  The Independent National Electoral Commission trains Local Government Electoral Officers in Ondo State ahead of the Nov. 26 governorship election in state.

7. The trial of a 45-year-old man, who allegedly stole 25 litres of palm oil at Kuto Market, comes up in an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court.

8.  Hearing continues in an FCT High Court in a case of murder against Hama Ahmed and three others.

9. . ‎Rice Millers Association of Nigeria meets with Comptroller-General of customs in Abuja.

10. Senate Committee on Interior to consider a report on internal security.

11. Public Accounts Committee, House of Representatives meets.

NAN-AE-13
Mills
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Federal government says it is facilitating the procurement of additional 40 large-scale rice mills to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop themed “Big Boost for Agro Diversification and Export.’’
Ogbeh said that the Integrated Rice Mills (IRMs) of the Ministry had increased the rice milling capacity in the country.
He said that the Ministry’s new goal was to attain self-sufficiency in food production and annually export 10 million metric tonnes of food to ECOWAS region and beyond by 2019.
According to the minister, the country’s food import bill has further declined from N1.1 trillion in 2009 to N684 billion in 2013.
“Nigeria has huge agricultural potentials with 11 million hectares of arable land but only cultivates 40 per cent; 263 billion cubic metres of water with two of the largest rivers in Africa.
“We have a cheap labour force to support agriculture intensification. We grow our food, feed ourselves and create local and international markets for our farmers and also unlock our enormous potentials in agriculture.
“We can achieve the economic diversification goal of government and surmount the present economic recession.
“I hope with the help of the Pentair, Good Rain, Dayu irrigation, Zhong Zhou Poultry, Jinan and our local companies, we will diversify and get out of recession in no time,’’ Ogbeh said.
Don Ekesiobi, Managing Director, Eurobase Nigeria Limited, the workshop organiser, said his company and the Ministry of Agriculture brought to Nigeria six world leading agro companies for partnership.
Ekesiobi said that the companies would introduce and showcase for adoption, technologies to turn around neglected agro value chain of the country in six months.
“I hereby state that any state, local government, commercial and private agro company that adopts and partner with these corporations will be on their way out of recession within a short time.
“Nigeria’s arable land has capacity to generate 100 billion dollar annually, if we take agro chain value seriously this time.
“ If Chile and other countries can survive on agriculture with huge favour, Nigeria can do the same if it adopts and apply the right technology,’’ he said.
He urged states, local governments and stakeholders to identify crops that are adaptable to their terrain.
Ekesiobo added that the partnership would boost and achieve sustainable economic growth and job creation in the country. (NAN)
ROK/JPE/WOJ
(Edited by Joseph Edeh / Wale Ojetimi)
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NAN-H-72
Patronage
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) Indigenous aircraft lessors on Thursday decried the low patronage of their services by airline operators in the country.

Mr Emmanuel Kalu, Managing Director, Adonai Aircraft, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that many aircraft leasing companies might go out of business soon unless the trend was reversed.

“We are an integral part of the aviation industry. We are involved in civil aviation aircraft and helicopter sales, aircraft acquisitions, engines, spare parts supply and aviation project financing.

“One of the greatest problems we have in Nigeria is that people don’t really value the services of indigenous aircraft leasing companies.

“It is wrong for them to bye-pass us here and go overseas or around Africa for services that can be offered by us.

“Often times, they come back with bad news that they lost their money in the transactions instead of using professionals that are here to show them the way,’’ Kalu said.

He noted that indigenous service providers had the capacity to deliver any aircraft of the lessee’s choice approved by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in its Airline Operating Certificate.

“Even if the lessees don’t have the money, we can bring in our partners that will fund the acquisition of the aircraft and still give them operational funds.

“As it stands, other countries are calling for our services and that is why it is very unfortunate that we are getting low patronage here in Nigeria.

“These are the things that lessees are missing out from but we want things to change,’’ the aeronautical engineer said.

He said the lessors would soon form a union; Association of Aircraft Aquisition Brokers, which would be an umbrella body to push for a legislation at the National Assembly to protect their interest.

According to him, the legislation will ensure that airline operators in Nigeria will begin to look inward to see the benefit of working with indigenous lessors.

Kalu also emphasised the need for airlines to carry out the necessary periodic maintenance checks on aircraft in their fleet.

“The aviation sector is a highly regulated sector and airlines cannot afford mistakes. It is safety first and they cannot toy with that.

“In aircraft maintenance, all the spare parts have limited time of usage.

“So, when it is the time to change even a nut, you have to change it. If you fail to do that then you are operating in a risky manner.

“To sum it up, when aircraft maintenance is ignored or excused, you are putting the lives of our dear country people in danger,’’ he added. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

1 Arraignment of five suspected robbers comes up at an Owerri Chief Magistrates’ Court.
2. Kaduna Electric Company to distribute 20, 000 pre-payment meters free of charge to customers in Kaduna.

3. Commissioner of Police in Plateau addresses journalists in Jos.
4. Kogi House of Assembly considers Bill on new taxes in the state.
5. Committee on Works, Nasarawa House of Assembly continues inspection of rural road projects in the state.
6. The Research, Innovation and Community Service for Societal Transformation, an NGO, holds conference at the University of Ibadan.
7. A case of unlawful termination of appointment and claims of entitlement instituted against Bureau of Public Enterprises by some former PHCN workers holds at the National Industrial Court, Ibadan.
8. Chief of Army Staff visits troops in Borno after the killing of some soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents.
9. Eurobase Consult Nigeria Ltd organises training on Big Boost for Agro- Diversification and Export at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
10. Stakeholders Retreat on Development of Medium Term National Plan 2017-2020 opens at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.
11. Special Court of Appeal Panel rules on motions on Ondo PDP governorship candidate.
12. Federal High Court hears a case filed by Minister of Interior against EcoBank.
13. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court continues hearing in a case of alleged possession of 1.2 kg of a substance suspected to be cocaine filed against a suspect.
14. An FCT High Court Maitama continues hearing in a case of alleged culpable homicide preferred against one Sunday Emmanuel.
15. FCT Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal to rule on a land matter between one Mrs Chinonye Okoye and Kuje Area Council.
16. ‎ House of Representatives continues deliberation on Bill for an Act to make provisions for Freedom from Hunger and the Right to Adequate Food of Acceptable Quality and Other Related Matters.
17. House of Representatives continues deliberations on a Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission Act to make provisions for licensing procedure and registration of driving schools.
18. House‎ of Representatives continues deliberations on a Bill for an Act to establish a Scholarship Board for the Purpose of Planning, Implementing and Overseeing a Federal Scholarship Scheme and Other Related Matters.
19. Senate continues plenary to consider a Bill for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Customs Service Management Act.
20. Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria meets with Focal Point Officers of NEPAD in MDAs in Abuja.
21. Senate Committee to pay an oversight visit to Servicom, Abuja.

Ghana: Veteran Ghanaian football coach Afranie dies

NAN-S-3
Death
Accra, Nov. 10, 2016 (PANA/NAN) Veteran Ghanaian football coach Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie has died after an ambulance transferring him to a hospital was involved in an accident on Wednesday.

The Accra-based ‘myjoyonline’ website reported that the accident occurred in the Eastern Region while he was being transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana’s second biggest city.

The coach was said to be suffering from a mild stroke.

Afraine qualified three different Ghanaian national teams for World Cup competitions – the Black Starlets (Under-17) and the Black Satellites (Under-20) where he won silver, and later the Black Queens (national women’s team). (PANA/NAN)
TON
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Edited by Tony Nezianya

NAN-HE-10
Fair
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Goods belonging to some illegal participants at the ongoing 30th Lagos International Trade Fair were on Wednesday impounded by some officials of Kick-Against-Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade.

Mr Ayo Ogungbiye, the head of the task force disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that goods worth thousands of naira had been seized by his officials so far, ,at the fair.

He said this was as a result of the directive from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Organisers of the fair, for offcials of the KAI Brigade to impound goods belonging to hawkers and illegal occupants of the tents.

Ogungbiye said that some legal occupants were sub-letting part of their pavilions to others, which is contrary to the agreement the organisers reached with exhibitors at the fair.

“There was an agreement that no occupant should accommodate any other company but this has been breached and they must be sanctioned.

“You can see that their goods have been seized, so they will have to pay a ransom before they can re-gain possession of their goods,’’ he said.

Mr Remi Giwa, the representative of the LCCI, said that before the commencement of the fair, the exhibitors had been warned against accommodating illegal occupants.

Giwa said that the chamber was shocked to have seen such atrocities being perpetrated by some exhibitors, hence it had to engage the KAI Brigade.

“The decision was taken to avoid any disorganisation at the fair,’’ he said.

The 10-day fair ends on Sunday, Nov. 13. (NAN)
PTB/FF/PIO
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Idonije Obakhedo

Lagos Trade Fair: foreign exhibitors task LCCI on security
NAN-HE- 21
Security
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Some foreign exhibitors at the Lagos International Trade Fair have decried the poor security arrangement at the fair complex, saying it was lax and encouraged activities of miscreants.

The exhibitors told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that the organisers of the fair needed to beef up security on the ground.

An exhibitor, Mr Hassan Fanag, the Director, Egyptian Pavilion, said the complaint was pertinent as some of the products they came to exhibit had been stolen.

`There have been two cases of theft recorded within the Egyptian pavilion in which some items were carted away.

“This is due to laxity on the part of the security officers engaged to watch the premises.

“We call on the organisers, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), to ensure maximum protection of our properties.

“We do not want to experience any case of theft again; our goods should be sold and not stolen,’’ Fanag said.

Mr Hassan Nosr, a kitchenware exhibitor, who also complained of weak security presence at the fair, said that some facilities were needed to be supplied by the LCCI.

Nosr said that the carpentry work done on the tent’s floor was not smooth and customers could easily slip and fall coupled with problem of lighting.

“We want the LCCI to beef up security in the tent and ensure adequate power supply as lighting is important in the display of our goods to intending customers.

“Effective lighting will also curb activities of hoodlums.

“The carpentry work done here should be improved on next year because it is not neat,’’ the exhibitor said.
Another foreign exhibitor, Miss Mohammed Amer, who came to get Nigerian distributors for her products, also called for stronger security presence at the fair ground.

Amer said that the security officers engaged should be vigilant day and night and should not give priority to the night alone.

“The security officers should also be allowed to work, while we sell during the day,’’ She said. (NAN)
PTB/COF/TA
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-HE-8

Food
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Some food vendors at the ongoing 30^th Lagos International trade fair have registered their displeasure over the allocation of unhygienic spaces to them by the Lagos Chamber for Commence and Industry (LCCI).

The vendors complained about the spaces in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Lagos.

Miss Nancy Emenalom, the Chief Executive Officer of Carpus Kitchen, said the portion allotted to her company by the LCCI was dirty and not conducive for customers to eat in.

Emenalom also decried the lack of adequate water supply at the fair.

“We were given the worst and the dirtiest part of the complex and we have to continually use air fresheners to stem the odour emanating from the dilapidated facility.

She advised the management of LCCI to address the issues now being raised by the food vendors in future planning.

Another vendor, Mrs Dorothy Aburo, the Proprietor of Anointed Igbo Foods, expressed her disappointment with poor planning by the LCCI.

Aburo, who said she paid N120, 000 to the agency for the erection of her tent at the fair, however, said the services they paid for were not adequately provided.

She lamented the dirty environment and the failure of LCCI to meet their terms of agreement.

“Besides the dirty environment we are compelled to sell our food in, we have been denied some amenities we were promised prior to the commencement of the fair.

“We were promised adequate water and power supply but LCCI did not keep its promise; for me, it has been the worse trade fair I have participated in, and we are also contending with low patronage,’’ she said.

Mrs Caroline Jegede, the Managing Director, Carol Kitchen, lamented poor patronage at the fair.

According to her, some customers even negotiate the price of food, which has never happened in the past.

“ We put the flat rate for a plate of food at N350 but some people still come to plead to be served for N100 or N150, due to the recession in the country.

“Most times, I have to spray air freshener to stem the odour from the gutters, and I have observed that all food vendors do it,’’ Jegede added. (NAN)
PTB/LAB/PIO
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Edited by Lydia Beshel/Idonije Obakhedo

Recession: Katsina farmers smile to the banks

NAN-HE-5
Farmers
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Farmers in Katsina State on Wednesday said they were smiling to the banks in spite of recession in the country after experiencing bumper harvest after the 2016 wet season farming.
Mr Bashir Alliyu, the Secretary, Farmers and Cattle Rearers Cooperative, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Alliyu said that the cooperative of 25 members grew guinea corn, millet, groundnut, maize and beans across more than 50 hectares of land.
“This year’s rainy season farming was very good for us and I can say it is a season of bumper harvest.
“The price of our farm produce is very favourable to us farmers because guinea corn, millet and beans for instance have satisfying prices this year compared to last year.
“Last year’s prices were very low, but this year is high and we the farmers are satisfied.
“We want government to provide farming and processing machines to support us to expand our farms,’’ he said.
He, however, said that farmers had their worst experience this year as regards accessing fertilisers and called on government to make fertiliser more readily available.
A rice farmer, Hajiya Salama Kabiru, said she harvested 200 bags of rice and 130 bags of wheat after the wet season.
She said a bag of paddy rice was selling for N10, 000 as against N4, 000 last year.
According to her, if she was able to process the rice, 70kg of the milled rice would sell for N20, 000.
Kabiru, who was full of smiles, urged the Federal Government not to lift the ban on rice importation.
She said they were now getting value for their labour. (NAN)
ROK/FF/TA
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-S-2
Defence
By Aderonke Ojediran-Lawal
Lagos, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) An ex-international, Edema Fuludu, on Wednesday said he was afraid of the Super Eagles defence as the team prepared for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the qualifiers hold on Nov. 12 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Fuludu, a member of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the handlers of the team should focus on beefing up the defence.

Cue-in audio

“My only fear has always been our defence line, against Zambia we were very worried that their attack was very sharp but the defence did not play very well.

“I hope the new technical adviser and the coaches will notice that and thinker properly with our defensive formation.

“While the attackers are doing their beats, the midfielders are working so hard to score; we should not concede any unnecessary and flimsy goal.

“So that we can keep our hope alive, this is one of the toughest matches we will play, but I think the Super Eagles of Nigeria will triumph.

“Even if we win with a slain one goal or two goals margin, victory is the most important thing for us; and Algeria is not going to be a push over.

“ I believe that with them having a new coach their spirit will have been gingered up again psychologically.

“And I think they will come and play a game of delay, a game of frustrating our Super Eagles.

“But with the calibre of players that have come into camp we will be able to triumph.

Cue-out audio

NAN reports that Group B of the World Cup qualifiers consists of Zambia, Algeria and Cameroon; Eagles won its last tie against Zambia 2-1 in an away match. (NAN)
OAF/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)