Author: Isah Mukhtar

Flood

Lokoja, April 19, 2018 ( NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has warned against diverting relief materials meant for the 15,874 flood victims in the state as anyone caught would be shown the way out.

Bello, who stated this on Thursday at Koton Karfe, Kogi Local Government while flagging-off the distribution of relief materials to victims of 2017 flood disaster also warned against politicizing the exercise.

The governor, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Emergency Management, Mr Yakubu Ocholi, appealed to officials in charge of the distribution of the items to ensure equity and fairness.

He charged them to distribute directly to the victims whom he said are scattered in 13 local government areas of the state.

He listed the local government areas to be covered to include, Idah, Ibaji, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Kabba, Ajaokuta , Bassa , Lokoja and Kogi.

The relief materials being distributed were provided by the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA).

The items include bags of rice and beans, clothes, roofing sheets, detergents, soaps, blankets, mosquito nets and fishing nets.

Others were sewing machines, water pumping machines, mattresses, cartons of milk, salt, vegetable oil , bags of cement and maize, among others.

Mr Bitrus Samuel, who represented the Director-General of NEMA at the event said that the agency was on ground to monitor the exercise to ensure direct distribution to victims.

He charged officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and council officials in charge of the distribution to ensure justice and fairness.

Samuel who is the Head, Abuja Operations of NEMA said that the state is naturally prone to flood disaster , saying that the agency will be sharing safety information on regular basis.

According to him, those living on flood prone areas in the state should be getting ready to locate to higher grounds because of the higher rainfall likely to be experienced this year.

Also speaking , the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr Ayegba Hassan promised that the materials will be distributed to victims.

A NAN Correspondent who witnessed the flag-off of the distribution, reports that 2,209 flood victims in six wards of Kogi Local Government would benefit from the items. (NAN)
KKA/MTM
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Tourism
By Justina Auta
Abuja, April 17, 2018 (NAN) Mr Folunrusho Coker, Director- General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has expressed the commitment of the corporation toward effective enlightenment of Nigerians on the tourism potential of the nation to boost the sector.

The director-general made the commitment while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Coker said more awareness of tourism potential of Nigeria would boost the nation’s revenue, increase inflow of tourism, open markets for local tourists and increase patriotism for the country and love for Nigerians.

The director-general said it was in line with the mission of the corporation to explore the tourism potential of the nation that, it launched the ‘Tour Nigeria’ and ‘Nigeria Flavour’ project.

“The response to the project has so far been encouraging.
‘Tour Nigeria’ means that we want to tour Nigeria with a new medium of cultural expression, to enlighten Nigerians on the potential we have.

“If Nigerians know Nigeria, there will be so many things that will be different. Nigerians love to be Nigerians, but they do not know Nigeria.

“That is why we are encouraging people to tour Nigeria with culture, film, music, religion, cuisine, sports, and all the media that other countries are using, to promote tourism.

On security challenges in some parts of the country and its effects on the sector, Coker noted that government was working hard to address the problem.

“There is no country in the world that does not have security challenges. Nigeria is like all those countries in the world that have security challenges.
“Terrorism is not all over the country, it is a challenge that the government is addressing,” Coker said.

He also disclosed that measures were in place to improve infrastructure development of the country, to further improve the tourism sector of the country.
“I am not saying we are where we want to be now, but we are working hard to get there and we will get there.

“This administration had invested more in infrastructure development than the previous administrations in such a short time,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the corporation to discharge its mandates, particularly in revenue generation, business opportunities for both local and international investors effectively. (NAN)
JAD/KTO/DUA
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/DUA

Panel

Lokoja, April 17, 2018 ( NAN) Kogi Government has set up a 13-member Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the recent bloody civil disturbances in Ognae-Nigwu, Ojuwo -Ajimadi and Agbenema-Ife communities in the state.

Members of the panel were inaugurated on Tuesday in Lokoja by the state Deputy governor, Mr Simon Achuba.

Justice Josiah Mejabi is the Chairman of the panel, while Mr Ayo Fasoba of the state Ministry of Justice will serve as Secretary.

At the inauguration, Achuba charged members of the panel to take the assignment seriously , saying that government was determined to get to the roots of the crises.

He said that government would provide a conducive environment for the panel to carry out the assignment.

He gave the committee six weeks to carry out the assignment and submit its report.

According to the deputy governor, the terms of reference of the panel include: determining the immediate and remote causes of the bloody clashes in which 17 people were killed and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

He said that individuals or group of persons directly responsible for the mayhem should also to be identified by
the panel.

Achuba charged the panel members to identity and assess damage done to lives and property during the crises.

“ It should also make recommendations that would help to restore peace and avoid reoccurrence of such crises,” he said.

Mejabi promised that members of the panel would live up to expectations by doing a thorough job within the specified time.

He thanked the government for finding them worthy to serve as members of the panel.

Other members of the panel are: the Director -General, Bureau of Information Services and Grassroots Sensitisation, Mr Abdulkarim Abdulmalik and Mr Sumaila Abbas.

Others are: Mr Ibrahim Atadoga; Mr Samuel Onimisi; Mr Adamu Isakoto; Mr Jatto Dan Bello; Miss Abimbola Agbogun; Mr Ahmed Atta; Major Tijani Sheu; Navy Capt. Isaac Udoudoh; Mr Yahaya Atoto and ACP Lenox Taylor. ( NAN)
KKA /AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Start-up

By BiolaLawal/ Dada Ahmed

Abuja, April, 15, 2018 (NAN).The Federal Government has commenced Startup programme to build entrepreneurial spirit in youths, unemploymentand prepare them toward self-sustaining activities rather than be job seekers.

The Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Innovations and Entrepreneurship, Mr Ife Adebayo, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said the programme would involve training of youths in innovation and technology among others, starting from the North-Central and South-East region of the country.

The Vice-President’s aide said the overall objective of the programme was for the Federal Government to galvanise social and economic activities to boost the economy.

“This is one of the cardinal objectives why the Federal Government engaged the private sector participants, to support companies that would boost the economy in their regions.

‘’One of the best ways we can accelerate our exit from recession is to support companies to do much more than they are currently doing,’’ Adebayo said.

‘’Start-up Nigeria, is a programme that focuses on innovation, agriculture and technology,everybody involved in innovation, technology and agriculture, within the two regions, will be supported to achieve his or her objectives.

‘’Globally, it is known that people who work in start-up organisations end being employers of labour, and build their businesses from the ideas they got from such ventures.

‘’The start-up programme fully supports President Muhammadu Buhari’s goal and zeal, which stress the need to have more employers than job seekers in the country.

‘’Beyond the direct impact in the collaborative effort will have on the participating private companies, there are a lot secondary and tertiary impact on the nation.

“This is because as government reaches out to a lot of startups, they will in turn train more people on entrepreneurial skills and employ others,’’ he said.

Adebayo said the startup would be funded from the N500 billion, Federal Government fund earmarked for the implementation of social investment programmes.

Adebayo assured that conscious effort was being made to effectively fund the programmefor government to achieve its aims and objectives of putting Nigeria on the path of enhanced entrepreneurial, technological, innovative and agricultural development.

According to him, government will also engage and pay experts that will teach participants and offer advice and guidance them on agriculture, technology, financing projects among others, free of charge.

Adebayo, who revealed that over 400 youths from South-East and North-Central had so far applied to be engaged in the programme, said that Start-up had the potential of changing their livesfor the better.

The Vice-President’s aide advised youths to visit Start-up website: www.startupnigeria.ng to register for the programme, to enable them acquire knowledge, skills and experience, free of charge.

He said the programme would afford participants the opportunity to contribute their quota to the social and economic development of Nigeria. (NAN)

BL/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Terminals

By Kazeem Akande/Augusta Uchediunor
Lagos, April 13, 2018 (NAN) The three terminals under construction at the ongoing Oshodi Transport Interchange will be ready by October this year, the project Manager, Mr Abiodun Otunola, has said.

Otunola, a civil engineer with PLANET PROJECTS Construction Company, the firm handling the job, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that speedy work was ongoing at the site to ensure the projects were delivered at as scheduled.

According to him, 70 per cent of the work has been done as the projects consist of three terminals, for interstate, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the third meant to serve the Lagos State entirely.

“The Oshodi transport interchange will be ready by October; we are working hard to ensure prompt delivery of the project.

“Everybody working here is a Nigerian and you can see the quality of the structures and work we are doing.

“There is no design like this anywhere in the world, it is unique and a peculiar structure due to the shape and geography of this place, Oshodi.

“We tailored the design to fit the geography of the environment, so we have three terminals that take care of interstate, the BRT and the one serving Lagos state itself,’’ he said.

The engineer said that the terminals were built in such a way that passengers could link one terminal from the other.

“With this, we are solving transport, environmental and security problems in Lagos State; Oshodi that I used to know is getting shape gradually, in a few months, you will see a new Oshodi,’’ he added.

Otunola noted that Lagos residents deserved befitting and comfortable transportation facilities, especially at Oshodi, the hub and centre where people move to other states even to some West African countries.

“Before now, we discovered that there are about 17 different parks with no standard facilities like toilets, ticketing and adequate security personnel in place.

“There is no part of Nigeria that is not served from a particular spot at Oshodi, when some people say it is a mere bus stop, I laugh, they are not being realistic and not saying the truth.

“In western world, they call it terminals, either buses or train terminals with many facilities in place and I know Lagos is getting there very soon.

“So, it is going to be Lagos gift to Nigeria and the West Coast when it is fully done in terms of facilities, like Wifi, waiting area, ticketing booth, ATM points, loading bay, offices and conveniences.

“The size, population, complexity and number of destinations at the terminals are going to be more than 50 of present days motor park at Oshodi,’’ he noted.

According to him, the project will support economic development of the state and ensure that the growing population of the state have efficient public transport system.

He said that it would also ensure the safety and security of the residents as well as guarantee enhanced quality of life.

NAN reports that Mr Ladi Lawanson, the Commissioner for Transportation, had said that over 800 buses would be deployed to start operations at the recently inaugurated Ikeja Bus Terminal.

Lawanson spoke during a visit to both Ikeja and Oshodi Transport Interchange construction site recently.

According to him, the newly procured buses will enable efficient and effective transportation to classes of Lagos residents.

“The state government is coming with multi-modal and integrated transportation system which will take care of about four million people on a daily basis across the state.

“The idea is to cater for Lagos residents, especially the lower and middle classes, who cannot afford to fund their own cars every day.

“We should be expecting some buses like over 800 that Lagos State Government has procured to kick-start operation for the benefit of the residents,’’ he said.

He noted that Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, had about 900,000 inhabitants.

“It is also a major transport hub on the Lagos mainland as it is amajor node of important corridors in Lagos such as Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Oba Akran and Awolowo Way. (NAN)
AKA/ANU/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

Kogi teachers reject 20pct salary payment, threaten action

Teachers
Lokoja, April 12, 2018 ( NAN) The Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) has called on the Kogi State to restore full payment of salary and allowances to its members or face industrial dispute .

The Chairman of the state branch of NUT, Mr Thomas Ayodele made the call in Lokoja on Thursday during the union’s yearly solemn assembly .

He said that his members could no longer accept a salary of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent being paid to them since the beginning of the year.

The Chairman said the underpayment , inconsistent percentage payment and omissions that have so far characterized the payment of primary school teachers salary must stop forthwith.

Ayodele called on the state Ministry of Local Government and all the 21 local governments in the state to make necessary adjustments and make salary of teachers first line charge as directed by the state government since July, 2017.

The union insisted that local governments hands off payment of teachers salary henceforth, saying that the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB), which is constitutionally saddle with this responsibility, be allowed to perform its function.

Ayodele also called on the state government to undertake the harmonization of teachers payroll to include all pending cases currently being reviewed by SUBEB in conjunction with the office of the state Head of Service.

While demanding immediate payment of all outstanding salary and allowances of teachers , the union requested that adequate instructional materials be provided in all schools to enhance teaching and learning.

It also called for the support of the state government to enable teachers in primary schools to become computer literate.

He, however, appealed to his members to remain calm as efforts were being intensified to resolve salary and other issues with relevant authorities. ( NAN)
KKA /YAZ
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Obajana – Kabba road ready in December – Dangote Geoup

Road
Lokoja, April 9, 2018 ( NAN) The 44-kilometre Obajana–Kabba concrete road project in Kogi will be ready in December, the Managing Director of AG-Dangote Construction Company, Mr Ashif Juma, has said.

Juma, who stated this in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Monday, said that the longest concrete road project in Nigeria was being built according to specifications.

According to him, so far 33 kilometers earthwork and 22 kilometres concrete pavement have already been accomplished.

“We will deliver the project by December this year as planned,” Juma said.

He urged government at all levels to switch over to construction of concrete road instead of asphalt as it is far superior, durable and cheaper, as it does not require frequent maintenance.

The statement signed by Mr Anthony Chiejina, Corporate Communication Officer, Dangote Group said that the Obajana-Kabba rigid pavement road project was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) of the Dangote Group Plc.

“Concrete road last longer than asphalt roads and do not have potholes. It does not require frequent maintenance as asphalt roads. It saves fuel for motorists and protects tyres from wear and tears,” it said.

According to Chiejina, it is part of the Group’s determination to support government and Nigerians in order to grow the economy and facilitate ease of doing business.

The statement also quoted the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as expressing worry over the huge amount being spent on repairs of asphalt roads across the country.

Dangote, who spoke at the inauguration of the 26- kilometre Itori-Ibeshe concrete road project in Ogun State, said plans were afoot to revolutionize Nigerian roads with concrete.

He was of the opinion that resources used in road repairs and maintenance would be channeled to other more important needs of the nation.(NAN)
KKA/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

ECOWAS to make self-sufficiency in rice a reality by 2025 – Official

Rice
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, April 9, 2018 (NAN) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says its rice offensive programme would make self-sufficiency in rice a reality in the sub-region by 2025.

Mr Ernest Aubee, Principal Programme Officer and ECOWAS Head of Agriculture Division, made the disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Aubee said that the programme had been designed to enhance rice production in all member states

‘‘The programme will basically look at how the region can increase its production so as to meet consumption needs and reduce import.

‘‘It will also create job opportunities for our own farmers especially youths and women.

‘‘It will also improve the value chain so that it could be of high quality and nutritionally suitable for us as ECOWAS citizens to consume.’’

He said that rice has become a highly strategic commodity in West Africa and is the largest source of food calories on the African continent.

‘‘ECOWAS countries imported around nine million tonnes of milled rice in 2014, representing a cost of 4 billion Euros.

‘‘To avoid risks of civil unrest and the scenarios of increased global food prices, there is an urgent need to increase rice production, processing, value-addition, and marketing in West Africa to achieve self-sufficiency.

‘‘Currently, the region depends on imports from Asia to fulfil about half of its consumption needs.

“ECOWAS has initiated a regional offensive to reach rice self-sufficiency by 2025.’’

NAN reports that the regional offensive for sustained recovery of rice production in West Africa Programme was approved by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in June 2014.

Aubee said that this offensive was aimed at reducing imports to zero level by 2025.

He said the joint collaborative spirit aimed at supporting the rice offensive would energise rice production in the sub-region.

‘‘It will also bolster a regional public-private partnership which makes self-sufficiency in rice and economic prosperity a reality in West Africa.

‘‘The fact book is a briefing document on key rice parameters in the ECOWAS region, opportunities and business cases aimed at attracting anchor investors.’’

He added that the commission has been in partnership with CARI in four countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Tanzania to promote rice production in Africa.

‘‘We are member of steering committee for CARI for the whole of Africa and also a very active member in Nigeria Rice Advocacy Platform, helping to support rice cultivation in all rice production states.’’

He said CARI Phase I has been successful in the four countries in the efforts to make Africa self-sufficient in rice. (NAN)
ROK/MOL/MZA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Maharazu Ahmed
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Don challenges Nigerian youths on productivity

Youths

Aledare Akinwale

Lokoja, April 7, 2018(NAN) Dr James Olakunle, a senior lecturer at the Federal University, Lokoja, has appealed to youths in the country to be more productive in order to enhance their standard of living.

Olakunle made the call on Saturday in Lokoja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), after a seminar with the theme: “Youths and the Future of the Nation”.

According to him, the youths of Nigeria need to take charge of their destinies in their hands as this is the only way to secure a bright future.

The lecturer decried the high rate of alcohol and drug abuse among the youths, adding that youths who were hooked on drugs would make terrible leaders in future.

“You see some youths clamouring for leadership position, and yet are not well positioned due to all sorts of illicit drug in take,’’ he said.

Olakunle urged government at all levels to begin to sensitise youths across the nation on the need to avoid illicit drugs.

He stated that nothing would come out of the Not too Young to Run Bill if Nigerian youths refused to be responsible and act responsibly.

The lecturer also urged the youths to resist the temptation of being used by politicians as thugs during elections. (NAN)

WAL/WS/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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