Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-AE-5
Drainage
By Shehu Danjuma
Katsina, Dec.18, 2017 (NAN) The Katsina State Government has spent over N2 billlion in the last two years for the construction of a standard drainage system in the state capital and its environs.

Gov. Aminu Masari said this on Monday, while receiving stakeholders and political leaders from Katsina who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Katsina.

“The present administration has expended over N2 billion to construct drainages in the Katsina metropolis within the last two years.

“When this administration came on board, it met several wards that had been experiencing flood disasters every.

“This government constructed a long drainage of five-kilometres from Sabuwar-Unguwa to Adeleke Bridge to Tudun-Natsira and Kofar-Sauri area.

“The government also constructed a drainage from Kofar-Kwaya to Kofar-Kaura and joined it to Adeleke Bridge in the Katsina metropolis.

“Another drainage from the Emir’s palace to General Hospital Road to Katsina Teachers College and outside the city wall was constructed.

“The government also reclaimed some ponds that were becoming a threat to the people of the metropolis.

“A two-kilometre-drainage was constructed from Yammawa to the outskirts of the town to avert flood disaster in the area,’’ Masari added.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said that they were at the Government House to pledge their loyalty and support for the Masari-administration.

Yakubu, who is also the state Deputy Governor, commended Masari for the renovation and rehabilitation of selected educational institutions across Katsina city.

“We are, indeed, very grateful that the governor has upgraded all the facilities in the General Hospital, Katsina,” he added. (NAN)
SUD/MOL/OOK
===========

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe

NAN – H -20
Rally
Lokoja, Dec. 18, 2017 ( NAN) The leadership of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District says it is not a party to a rally being planned to hold in Kabba on Tuesday.

In a statement in Lokoja on Monday, the state Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr Osune Shaib,  said that the organisers of the rally were not known to APC.

He called on APC members to disregard information from the organisers.

“This is fake news .The officers of the party from Kogi West have not organised any rally and have not authorised anyone or group to do so by proxy.

“ We call on members and supporters of our great party across the seven local government areas of Kogi West to disregard any call or invitation to attend APC Kogi West Rally on  Dec.19 , 2017,” he said. ( NAN)
KKA /IGO
=========
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Navy recover 1330 jerry cans of petrol from oil thieves

NAN-H-10
Navy
By Henry Oladele
Lagos, Dec. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy says they have recovered 1,330 jerry cans filled with petrol during a raid on oil thieves in Atlas Cove Island in Lagos.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROCT Commander, Rear Adm. Maurice Eno, told journalists on Saturday night that the product was evacuated from a storage facility in Ilado/Idimangoro area of the island.

According to the naval chief, the petroleum product was stolen from vandalised NNPC pipelines on Atlas Cove Island.

Eno said that no person was found at the storage facility during the raid.

He said that the navy monitored activities in the area for about three weeks to ascertain the veracity of the information.

“On December 14, at about 8.10 a.m., a detachment of personnel from the NNS Beecroft raided the locations and discovered a storage facility having over one thousand five hundred jerricans.

“1,330 of the Jerricans contained product suspected to be premium Motor Spirit(PMS) believed to have been siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines laid on the island.

“At the time of the raid, no person was found on the storage facility,” he said.

“The team also discovered the siphoning points where valves were connected by the vandals to steal the product.

“It is pertinent to note that NNPC pipelines laid on Atlas Cove Island are under the supervision and care of Top Line Security Limited/Kings Guard Security Company.

“It is obvious that these acts may not have gone unnoticed by these private security outfits,” he said.

Eno said that the navy was committed to assisting the NNPC in dealing with pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

“The navy is using this medium to warn pipeline vandals and other criminal elements particularly in our maritime environment to desist from nefarious activities and pursue lawful means of livelihood,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited Atlas Cove Island on Satutday reports that several items used by the vandals in siphoning petrol from NNPC pipelines were found in the area.

Villagers in the community refused to speak to NAN on the incident.

The navy said the jerry cans filled with PMS products would be handed over to the NNPC. (NAN)

HOB/WOJ

=========

(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-AE-9
Benefits
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Dec.15, 2017 (NAN) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, says several advantages will accrue to Nigeria as the new president of Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).

The minister said this on Friday in Abuja, while speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of 10th Annual Ministerial Conference of FCWC.

He said that the benefits included capacity building and technological application schemes aimed at scaling up fish production.

He said that Nigeria was appointed the new president of FCWC, in line with the extant protocols which required any country hosting the annual FCWC meeting to chair the committee for next one year.

“Nigeria will benefit more because FCWC has enough funds; all the annual contributions total about 255,000 dollars but every year, the committee gets up to one billion-dollar support from EU, Norway and other donor partners.

“We will have a better say in terms of capacity building, sharing information because we will be privileged to first hear what is happening among member countries and beyond.

“It will also be an opportunity for technology improvement as our people will be given priority as to training in any part of the world, and they will be able to step the knowledge down to others.

“In all, this will scale up our productivity,’’ he added.

The minister said that Federal Government was determined to boost youth participation in agriculture through a partnership with commercial banks on the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

“There is also provision for youth training in agriculture and creating employment as well as generating wealth.

“Nigeria will also encourage investments in the deep sea and exclusive economic zone for the exploitation of her tuna (fish) resources.

“We have commenced the marine stewardship council regulation of our shrimps and freshwater fish species to receive premium market price,’’ he said. (NAN)
ROK/OOK
=======

NAN -H-50
Languages
Lokoja, Dec. 15, 2017 ( NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) says it will introduce sign languages and communication techniques to aid the full participation of People-Living-with-Disabilities (PLWDs) in the 2019 general elections.
Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Partnership and Outreach Committee of the commission, stated this in Lokoja on Friday at a workshop on capacity-building.
The workshop is on “Communication Skills for Desk Officers in Charge of People Living with Disabilities.’’
Ogunmola said that introduction of sign language was part of moves to ensure inclusiveness in electoral processes.
He identified lack of detailed and comprehensive data of PLWDs based on the disabilities and inaccessibility of some public places designated as polling units as some of the challenges.
Another, he said, was inadequate number of trained personnel to interface with disabled persons on electoral issues, assuring that the electoral body was determined to address the issues.
Ogunmola listed introduction of sign language interpretation on INEC programmes like Electoral Half Hour and message at collation centres for election results as part of steps to be taken in addressing the matter.
According to him, INEC is also working towards prevailing on political parties to mainstream people-living-with-disabilities into party decision-making process and leadership.
In addition, he said that the organisation would embark on recruitment of PLWDs into the INEC and come up with policy framework on electoral plans for them and other special group of stakeholders.
The commissioner expressed determination of INEC to deepen the participation of the persons in the electoral processes, urging participants to come up with suggestions to aid this.
“As a responsive institution, INEC appreciates the importance of inclusive electoral process, thus, its commitment to open up the electoral space for citizens, including people-living-with-disabilities,’’ he said.
Also speaking, another INEC Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche, said that the electoral body would introduce Form EC40H to capture information and statistics of PLWDs in readiness for the elections.
Agbamuche also stated that magnifying glasses to aid participation of the visually-impaired, including albinos, would be introduced to aid the inclusion of some PLWDs into all the aspects of the electoral process.
Mrs Dorothy Bello, INEC Deputy Director, Civil Society Liaison, said that the workshop was organised to build the capacity of participants to relate and communicate effectively with PLWDs in an acceptable manner to discharge their duties.
She said that the workshop was coming at a time when preparations were on for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
Bello stated that the knowledge and experience to be shared at the workshop would guide the participants to interact effectively with disabled people before and during the elections.
“As desk officers, we need to be well-equipped and trained on how to use better language when communicating with people-living-with-disabilities in order to deepen our democracy,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi, Prof. James Apam, called on participants to take the workshop seriously, saying it was part of efforts to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections in future.
Participants were drawn from the INEC offices in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)
KKA /IFY/OPI
=======
Edited by Ify Omowole and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-AE-5
Vessels
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Dec. 15, 2017 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of patrol vessels to reduce unregulated fishing activities and boost security on the country’s waterways.

The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed this on Friday at the 10th Annual Ministerial Conference of the Fisheries Committee for West, Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) in Abuja.

He said that the safety of the nation’s waterways remained a key priority to the current administration.

The vice-president also said the Federal Government was determined to reduce fish imports into the country, saying that the efforts were already yielding significant results.

Osinbajo noted that within 2017, local fish production had increased from 450, 000 tonnes in early January to 1.1 million tonnes.

“The safety of Nigerian maritime is also a principal concern to us.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of some patrol vessels for the Department of Fisheries, which would be managed with the collaboration of the Nigerian Navy.

“These vessels will boost the search and rescue capacities of the relevant security agencies, deter illegal fishing and help secure our vessels at sea,’’ he said.

Osinbajo said that earlier this year, President Buhari also approved establishment of the Lake Chad Naval Base to boost security and fast-track the restoration of livelihoods in the zone.

“The theme of this conference, which is to invest in the growth and sustainability of fishery in West Africa, is important; even in terms of sharing experience and laying aspiration for the economic well-being of our people.

“Our effort to reduce fish imports and increase local fish production by encouraging the private sector to invest in the aquaculture is yielding positive result.

“The domestic fish production, for example, in the last two years has increased from 450,000 tonnes to 1.1million tonnes and we hope that this growth will be exponential,’’ he said.

Osinbajo called for the support of the regional aquaculture industry, which he described as an efficient employer of labour.

He said that as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to support the Fisheries Committee, a sum of 200, 000 U.S. dollars had been paid to the FCWC, while the outstanding sum would be paid shortly.

In his opening remarks, Dr James Kollie, the Chairman of the conference of FCWC, urged the participants to explore opportunities that would enable the fishery resources of the region to boost its economic growth in a sustainable manner.

According to him, the potential of fishery goes beyond resources found in the maritime environment but concerns its status as a reliable employer of labour.

Kollie, who is Liberia’s Minister of Fishery, said: “Fish is a source of animal protection for more than 375 million people in West Africa.

“It is also a viable economic resource that provides employment and livelihood for over 100 million people in the region.’’

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, urged the participants to take the issues relating to effective management of fishery resources seriously.

He said that the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing deserved collective efforts, which should be sustained.

Lokpobiri lauded the FCWC for the appropriateness of the theme chosen for the conference: “Investment for Growth and Sustainability in Fisheries in West Africa.’’

The participants at the conference include delegates from Nigeria, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia and Togo.

Others are representatives of the African Union (AU), the European Union and the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS). (NAN)
ROK/APA/AJA/OOK
===============

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-AE-1
Funds
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Dec. 15, 2017 (NAN) The World Bank has called on states benefitting from the FADAMA programme to pay their own counterpart funds to enable them to benefit maximally from the programme.

Dr Adetunji Oredipe, World Bank Task Team Leader for the FADAMA III Programme, made the called on Friday in Abuja during the concluding meeting of the FADAMA supervision mission.

He said that World Bank, through the FADAMA programme, would not like to work with states that were not meeting their obligations to complement its efforts toward the success of the programme.

“The request is enormous and the needs at the community level are huge; the resources we have at the project level are limited.

“It is just a reasonable decision to work with the states that have paid their counterpart funds.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank those states that paid their counterpart funds to ensure that their farmers benefit fully from the project,’’ he said.

The team leader rated the performance of the FADAMA III project across the states as 70 per cent, judging from the number of states that had fulfilled their obligations.

“We are sending the clear message, which means that we may not be able to continue doing anything with those states that are not meeting their own counterpart fund obligations.

“Counterpart funds are the funds required to complement some of the things we do at the state level,’’ he said.

Oredipe noted that the FADAMA III programme was initially designed to end in December 2017, adding that the conclusion of the programme had been shifted to December 2019.

He said that the extension of the programme was particularly designed to enable the north-eastern part of the country, which was hitherto plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency, to benefit from it, while restoring the livelihoods of the people.

“We are leveraging on that and we have a two-year grace to complete what we have started.

“Our emphasis now is on how to complete all the projects we have started because by December 2019, we will not want to see any uncompleted project under this programme,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Mr Tayo Adewumi, National Programme Coordinator of FADAMA, said that the programme was able to attain 70-per-cent achievement because some states paid their counterpart funds for the project.

“The counterpart fund at the state level is like matching grant because there are some activities in the state level like monitoring, payment of staff allowance, among others, that need to be funded.

“The World Bank fund is already hooked down to support farmers, based on their capacities in the four value chains of rice, cassava, sorghum and horticulture,’’ he said.

Adewumi said that the states had over-sensitised the farmers to the sustainability of the programme, and based on the available funds, the project had only 30 per cent of the funds remaining for disbursement.

“We need to prioritise our activities; so the state counterpart funds were used to fund those activities we could not fund and used to sustain the project thereafter.

“Even at this mission, we have been able to support up to 200,000 farmers across the states in the four value chains we are operating in.

“We have a platform that is supporting the farmers directly using the World Bank funds.

“The only group of farmers that would not benefit are those who are supposed to pay beneficiary contributions, either in cash or kind,’’ he said. (NAN)
ROK/COO/OOK
============
Edited by Cecilia Odey and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-HE-3
Banks
By Simon Akoje
Lagos, Dec. 14, 2017 (NAN) An entrepreneur, Mr Nerus Ekezie, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to reform developmental banks to ensure they granted loans to small business owners without collateral.

Ekezie, the Director, Public Relations, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on Programmes, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that if only the government could review the developmental banks, accessibility of credit without collateral would be possible.

“Despite many of the lofty programmes being muted to fund small businesses by the government, it has been unrealised because of the stringent conditions of the banks.

“Restructuring of the banks has become inevitable for government to successfully fund indigenous businesses.

“Although the Bank of Industry and other schemes are doing a great deal, more needed to be done, especially in terms of loan without any form of collateral from the banks to SMEs for their businesses to grow,’’ he said.

Ekezie said that many of the indigenous business owners were still contending with insufficient foreign exchange in the country in spite of government multiple windows in the sector.

“In spite of the CBN reforms, the volume of foreign exchange available to business owners to acquire raw materials is not enough for them to continue production successfully.

“Even the volumes of foreign exchange accessible to our members could not be bought beyond a particular amount, which made them oftentimes source from the parallel market,’’ he said.

Ekezie said that government should enable local manufacturers to grow, and put more effort in securing the nation’s boundaries in order not to allow foreign made goods  flood the market. (NAN)
STA/ENN/GY
==========
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Grace Yussuf

NAN-ELS-1

Resort

By Aledare Akinwale.

Lokoja, Dec. 14, 2017 (NAN) A Kogi community leader, High Chief Peter Akefe, on Thursday, urged the State Government to turn around the  Obangogo Hill resort in order to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Akefe, who made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, said the resort only needed a face lift to serve as a money spinner for the State Government.

According to him, tourism generates revenue for government, provided that the tourist destination is properly managed.

The high chief said that it was high time the Obangogo Hill resort and other tourist centres in the state are revived.

Akefe said that a state such as Kogi would not depend much on federal allocations by looking inwards.

He expressed confidence that the Obangogo Hill resort has the capacity to rank among the best resorts such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch if the State Government could maximise its use.

According to him, there are tourists, who are interested in spending their vacations or public holidays in such a resort centre at any time of the year.

Akefe described the Obangogo Hill resort as “a place to behold’’ in view of the many exciting historical features on the hill, urging investors to explore the site and invest in it for good returns.

He said that Dec. 27, had been set aside to celebrate the wonders on the Obangogo Hill resort, adding that the 2017 celebration would feature several events.

Akefe called on Nigerians, who have a flair for site-seeing to come and witness the rich culture of the resort centre. (NAN)

WAL/OSA/YEMI

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-6

Death

By Adepote Arowojobe

Lagos, Dec.14, 2017 (NAN) The Lagos State Controller of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mr Tunde Ladipo, has ordered investigation into the death of an awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison.

The suspect, Chizoba Okoye, who was facing charges of kidnapping before an Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, was shot when he attempted to escape within the court premises on Wednesday.

The command’s spokesman, Rotimi Oladokun, said in a statement that the incident happened after the case was adjourned and the escort team was leading the suspect to the holding cell in the court premises.

“Thinking he could escape the watchful eyes of the armed guards, the suspect suddenly took to his heels, defiling verbal warnings and warning shots from the armed personnel and subsequently arrested.

“Unfortunately he lost his life on his way to the hospital for medical attention,” the NPS spokesman said in the statement.

He said that the Lagos State Command of the NPS has ordered an investigation into the incident and reassured the public of adequate cover in all the prison formations in the state.

The NPS spokesman thanked sister security agents for their support in apprehending the suspect and appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that would assist in ridding the state of criminals. (NAN)

ADEX/WOJ

(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)