NAN-HG-2
Polio
By Martha Agas
Jos, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The emir of Kanam in Plateau, Alhaji Mohammed Muazu II, has advocated community ownership of polio immunisation to ensure effective eradication of the disease from the country.

The emir made the call on Wednesday in Jos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The traditional ruler, who made reference to the re-surgence of polio in Goza, Jere and Mongono LGAs of Borno, expressed concern over the wrong notion held by some people about immunisation.

“We have received various comments that some people perceive polio immunisation as money spinner.

“They have the notion that large funds are voted for the exercise annually and there is no compulsion to participate in it since another opportunity will come every year,’’ he said.

Muazu stressed the need to enlighten the public to correct the wrong notion that funds meant for immunisation were for personal use and not for the exercise.

He said that since mothers were more receptive to immunising their children, traditional rulers’ council in the north plans to use them gain access to and immunise their children.

“ We have noted that the mothers can be used as avenues to change the impression of their husbands against polio vaccination, especially in Muslim community.

“We intend to use donation of food items and presentation of household items to attract mothers to bring out their children for immunisation.

“We may have to add subtle coercion if persuasion and cajoling did not yield the desirable results.

“ The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps will be engaged for the exercise and palace guards,  as symbols of traditional institution, will  be stationed at strategic locations during the exercsise,’’ he said. (NAN)
MA/DUA/AEA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed and Controlled by
Archibong Asuquo

Taipei, Sept. 14, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN)  Typhoon Meranti made landfall Wednesday, leaving 117,666 households in Taiwan without any power as strong winds and heavy downpour battered the island, according to Taiwan Power Company on Wednesday.

According to the power company, 114,485 households were still cut off from the power grid as of 9:58 a.m. Wednesday. Among them, more than 91,000 households were in Pingtung County in the south of the island.

Meanwhile, flights were also canceled and road transportation disrupted on Wednesday, in addition to closure of schools, according to local authorities.

Taiwan’s meteorological agency Wednesday, issued a land and sea warning for the typhoon, which would affect 13 counties and cities in southern and eastern parts of the Island, including Kaohsiung, Taitung and Hualien.  (Xinhua/ NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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Hillary Clinton to resume campaign Thursday after pneumonia treatment: campaign
NAN-F-1
Campaign
Washington, Sept. 14, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN)  U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has been staying at home since swooning at a 9/11 memorial ceremony due to pneumonia, will return to campaign trail on Thursday.

The former secretary of state is set to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala in Washington D.C. on Thursday and due in several battleground states next week, said her campaign, which has promised to release Clinton’s medical records later this week.

Donald Trump, her Republican rival, also promised to offer up more information about his health later this week, following quarrels between the two campaigns over which candidate is more secret about their health and wealth.

A damaging video of Clinton’s faint at Ground Zero on Sunday has turned the issue of health transparency onto the central stage in their White House bids.

Clinton was diagnosed pneumonia two days before she fainted on Sunday but her campaign had kept it quiet until the video was put online.

However, earlier on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blasted the media for having blown Clinton’s pneumonia out of proportion.

“You’ve all been unfair to Hillary, look at Donald Trump at his medical records, which are nonexistent,” he told reporters at a news conference.

Also on Tuesday, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine suggested that Clinton’s decision to keep campaigning despite suffering from pneumonia was influenced by the historic nature of her bid to become the country’s first woman president.

The U.S. is “uniquely bad at electing women to office,” the Virginia senator told a crowd at the University of Michigan, citing it a factor affecting her race against the New York billionaire.

Only 19 per cent of the U.S. Congress is female, though it is the highest percentage in the country’s history, Kaine noted.

The September race is observed unexpectedly rough for Clinton as her wounds were rubbed salt into continuously, including a gaffe about Republican “deplorable.”

A series of national poll results show that her lead over Trump has been narrowed since Labour Day. (Xinhua/ NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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ITF holds news conference in Jos on its new training programme in Plateau.

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno to inaugurate re-construction of houses in Bama town, damaged by Boko Haram.

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Ogun branch, organises stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta with owners of patent medicine stores in the state.

A Gudu Upper Area Court hears a case of alleged abduction filed against two motorcyclists.

Justice Bello Kawu of FCT High Court, Kubwa, hears a suit filed by the Economic and Fina ncial Crimes Commission against Adefemi Mabogune.

African Union for Housing Finance in collaboration with Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company holds AGM/Housing Finance Conference at PTDF Centre, Abuja.

2nd Conference of pilgrimage leaders and managers of Nigeria ends today at Goshen City, Abuja.

3 matches to be played in the FCT super league at Area 3 Football pitch.

6th annual meeting of African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Audit continues at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

South Africa not in ‘recession territory’: Gordhan

NAN-F- 5
Economy
Jo’’burg. Sept. 13, 2016 Reuters/NAN)  South Africa’s economy is not in “recession territory” and there is a more than 50 per cent chance ratings agencies will not downgrade it to “junk” status this year, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Tuesday.

Reports say agency rate has identified a lower growth rate.

Treasury also plans to stick to its deficit and debt targets set-out in a budget delivered in February, Gordhan told business leaders in Johannesburg.

“We will retain and sustain our fiscal credibility notwithstanding lower growth, which will put pressure on the revenue and the expenditure side,” Gordhan said. (Reuters/ NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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NAN-F-4
Sanctions
Seoul, Sept. 13, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN) Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the U.S. agreed on Tuesday to seek the strongest possible sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its recent nuclear test.

Sung Kim, special representative for DPRK Policy of the U.S. Department of State, arrived in Seoul on Monday afternoon after holding talks with his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo.

The U.S. official met with his South Korean counterpart Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at Seoul’s foreign ministry, to discuss how to address the DPRK’s fifth nuclear test that was conducted on Sept. 9.

Kim said at a joint press conference that the two allies agreed to pursue the strongest possible sanctions and pressure on the DPRK by pressuring Pyongyang in an omni-directional way through UN Security Council measures, unilateral sanctions and international pressure.

Meanwhile, the U.S. official said Washington will make best efforts to take strong actions as rapidly as possible through the United Nations, noting that the U.S., South Korea and Japan will consider additional measures toward the DPRK separately.

He said that if Pyongyang is really ready to talk about denuclearisation, it can be discussed through six-party talks, but the U.S. diplomat noted that the DPRK showed no interest in dialogue as it conducted unprecedented provocations.

The six-way talks, which involve DPRK, South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, have been halted since late 2008.

The DPRK announced on Sept. 9 that it had successfully conducted an explosion test of nuclear warhead that can be mounted on ballistic missiles.

Seoul’s military estimated the fifth test was the most powerful as it produced an explosive yield of 10 kilotons, stronger than 6 kilotons generated during the fourth nuclear detonation in January. (Xinhua/ NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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NAN – H –33

Fraud

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Sept. 11, 2016 ( NAN) Five top civil servants in Kogi have been arrested for allegedly diverting N230 million pension fund to their private uses.

The Accountant-General of the state, Alhaji Yusuf Okala, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Lokoja on Sunday.

Okala, who is also the Chairman of the Staff Screening and Verification Committee, said the alleged fraud was discovered in the course of the committee’s work.

“ Yes, it is true. We have been able to recover N20 million from them through the efforts of the police command in the state,” Okala said.

Also, the state Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, said that the money would be recovered in full from the suspects.

NAN learnt that the money was part of funds released by the administration of Capt. Idris Wada for the payment of pensioners.

Over 9,000 retirees in the state are owed between four and five months pension arrears as a result of the alleged diversion and the lack of funds by the government.

Ododo explained that the suspects would be made to face the law.

He commended the state government for setting up the committee for conducting the verification in the interest of the state.

He said that apart from identifying ghost workers and pensioners, the committee was working to plug loopholes through which public funds were being stolen.

Ododo promised that all genuine workers and pensioners would soon be cleared for the payment of salaries and pensions.

“ The screening of workers and pensioners is going to be a continuous exercise.

‘’No authentic staff or pensioner will have any cause to fear. Gov. Yahaya Bello-led administration in the state has high regard for both workers and pensioners.

“The on-going verification is not aimed at victimising anybody but an effort targeted at saving money for the state to take adequate care of its responsibilities, “ Ododo said. ( NAN)
KKA/JCE
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(Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie)

NAN–H–25

Sallah

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has called on Nigerians to pray and make sacrifices for Nigeria to recover from present economic recession and become great again.

Bello made the call on Sunday in Lokoja in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He said that regular prayers for the country and its leaders, and sacrifices on the part of Nigerians through show of understanding and cooperation in these trying times, would see the nation through.

He said that no nation could grow without sacrifices from her citizens, adding that the country was currently going through an invaluable opportunity to think out of the box and rebound to greatness.

The governor described the Eid-el-Kabir period as a season of extraordinary affinity with Allah, urging Muslims to use the period to seek breakthrough and progress for the country.

“Nigerians must remain united. We must continue to pray for our leaders as directed by Allah.

“Every leader is anointed by Allah; therefore, we must continue to pray for our nation and our leaders,” he said.

He particularly urged Muslims in the country to continue to live peacefully with people of other religions in accordance with Allah’s injunction.

“A world of peace is inestimable. Peace is the father of development.

“As we seek development, we must preach peace among religions and ethnicities.

“Muslims must be seen at the forefront of promoting peace around in the country,” he stated.

Bello also charged youths in the state to shun criminality and embrace the New Direction agenda of his administration to make the state a centrepiece of modern development in Nigeria.

He thanked the people of the state for their sacrifices and support for his administration, saying Kogi’s best years were already unfolding.

According to him, the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe are all pointers to this. (NAN)

KKA/OPI/OPI
(Edited by Olisa Ifeajika)

Xi thanks nation’s teachers, stresses role of education

NAN-F-7
Education
Beijing, Sept. 9, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN)  To mark China’s 32nd Teachers’ Day, which falls on Sept. 10 every year, President Xi Jinping on Friday took a trip down memory lane and visited his old school.

He took the opportunity of Teachers’ Day to extend his appreciation to the country’s educators for their diligence and commitment.

Xi attended Beijing Bayi School, Haidian District, during his elementary and junior high school years. During his visit he commented on the school’s dynamic, inspirational environment and remarked on the many positive changes since his time as a student.

Education determines our lives today, and our future, he said, adding that educational reform will play a fundamental and guiding role in China’s wider development story.

During his visit, Xi was shown the library and viewed exhibitions on the school’s history and defense education.

The school also shared some archive photographs taken of Xi when he was a student. He said he cherished these formative years and remembered his lessons and fellow students fondly.

As one of Beijing’s renowned schools, Bayi places a lot of focus on the sciences as a gateway to encouraging creativity and imagination.

Xi said children must be equipped with the fundamental skills of creative thinking and practical ability.

The president also talked with a group of pupils who were playing football and posed for photos with them. An avid supporter of soccer in education, Xi encouraged the students to aspire to be excellent soccer players.

While touring some of the school’s older buildings, he also met with some of his former teachers, and he took the opportunity to thank them for all they did for him and wished them happy, healthy lives.

Xi also talked with faculty members and students about school management, education and their dreams and aspirations.

The importance of knowledge and talent cannot be underestimated, Xi said, and education must continue to be improved.

Moreover, he said, the teaching of ideology, ethics and socialist core values should be reinforced so that students leave the education system as confident, dignified, independent members of society.

The benefits of development in education must be made available to all Chinese, he added.

To this end, he pledged greater support across the whole education system, from kindergarten to high school.

The distribution of resources should be optimized so that there is no difference in education quality between schools in cities and rural areas.

Funding in revolutionary bases, ethnic, remote and impoverished areas needs to be increased and education should be part of the ongoing poverty-relief campaign.

“We must stop poverty from being passed on to future generations. Every child should be confident in themselves and their future,” he said.

Xi called on teachers to instill in their students a love of the motherland, the people, and the Communist Party of China.

Meanwhile, Party committees and governments at all levels should create suitable conditions so that teachers are “content and enthusiastic,” Xi said.

Elementary and high school students are the future of China, Xi said.

Students should strive to be a person of “pure heart, sound personality, and integrity,” and “educated, compassionate and ready to take on responsibilities,” Xi said.

Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels to make education a priority, and deepen educational reforms. (Xinhua/NAN)

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UN says U.S.-Russia talks on Syria crucial as aid stops rolling in

NAN-F-6
Aid
Geneva, Sept. 9, 2016 (Reuters /NAN) The Syrian government has effectively stopped aid convoys this month and the besieged city of Aleppo is close to running out of fuel, making U.S.-Russian peace talks in Geneva on Friday even more urgent, the United Nations  has said.

“Convoys are not rolling at the moment in Syria,” the U.N. humanitarian chief told reporters in Geneva, although an air bridge to the Kurdish-controlled northeastern city of Hasaka has continued operating, and there have been a handful of evacuations from the besieged towns of Foua and Madaya.

Syria’s government vets UN aid plans on a monthly basis, and its late and partial approval of the programme for this month meant no aid had yet gone in, Stephen O’Brien said.

“We are on Sept 9, and the supplies under the September plan have not yet started.”

As he spoke, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were meeting nearby for a third time in as many weeks to clinch a nationwide ceasefire deal.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, with de O’Brien, said the talks were “addressing complex, delicate and difficult issues. “The conclusions could make, lets’s be frank, a major difference,” he said.

Helping around 250,000 people besieged in eastern Aleppo, where a battle for control has escalated in the past month, was becoming urgent, he said.

“There is a growing concern about eastern Aleppo: the issue about food, the issue about the possibility that within perhaps the next few days it will turn out to be dark because there is no fuel, problems of water.”

Opposition groups say Russia, which co-sponsors the U.N. peace process, is part of the problem and not the solution, because it has provided strong air support for fighters loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“We ask any party which has influence on any of the warring parties to ensure that they recognize that the demand for humanitarian access is paramount and rises above all the other vested interests,” O’Brien said. (Reuters/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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