Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H–45

Kidnap

Lokoja, July 17, 2017 (NAN) Kogi State Police Command said on Monday that it had arrested nine suspected kidnappers and rescued a victim, Pastor Oliver Clement.

Its Public Relations Officer, Mr William Aya, said in a statement in Lokoja that the suspects were rounded up at their various hideouts in Okene, Ankpa, Lokoja and other parts of the state.

He said that the cleric was kidnapped on July 9 and was with his abductors until July 13, when he was rescued.

“The kidnappers took him to their  hideout at Inye in Ankpa area. We are happy to announce that he has reunited with his family,” Aya said.

According to him, one of the suspects, Uche Michael, was arrested with bullets wounds at the General Hospital, Okpo, Olamaboro Local Government Area.

Aya described Michael as “a notorious armed robber/kidnapper, who has just escaped from police arrest in Ondo State”.

He said that the suspect had gone to the hospital for treatment when luck ran out on him.

The police officer said that one Habeeb Abdulkareem, an “old time criminal”, who had been on the police wanted list for so many years, was among those arrested. The suspect was arrested in Okene.

He named other suspects arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery to include Muazu Salem, Mutari Suleiman, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Ali, Abdulahi Idris, Amodu Isah and Gade Garba.

“Some of the suspects escaped arrest, but intelligence officers have been detailed to track and arrest them,” he said.

Aya said that the suspects were arrested between May 25 and July 13, adding that nine assorted rifles, including AK47, pump action machine, double barrel guns and pistols were recovered from them.

Also recovered from them are live cartridges, cutlasses, knives, hammers and charms.

Aya said that some of the suspects had made confessional statement and would soon be charged to court. (NAN)
KKA/ETS
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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

NAN warns bloggers against illegal use of NAN news

NAN-H-

Warning

By Biola Lawal

Abuja, July 16, 2017 (NAN) NAN Managing Director, Bayo Onanuga, has warned bloggers and other online publishers illegally using NAN news materials to stop forthwith or face sanctions.

Onanuga, who gave the warning over the weekend in Abuja at a meeting with marketing staff of the agency, said that NAN has begun compilation of a list of culprit bloggers which would be forwarded to Google for redress and sanctions.

Google had recently warned of its readiness to shut down any blogger or website found infringing on copyright of others as a means of sanitising the  online news  business.

Onanuga disclosed that NAN has strengthened its tab on the culprit bloggers and online users, noting that their unlawful actions were impacting negatively on the revenue drive of the agency.

“After a grace period of one month from today, any blogger or online publisher still found using NAN news stories, photo news etc, without subscription will be reported to Google,’’ he stated.

“The offenders should know that NAN is always ready to assist any media outfit, online or otherwise, that approaches us with genuine request for assistance and possible rebate to enable them grow and consolidate,’’ Onanuga stated.

“Everyone in the media industry knows that the business of news gathering and processing to a high quality output as NAN does, is capital intensive,’’ he said, adding; “we expect all NAN stakeholders to help the agency by paying the publisher-friendly token NAN is charging as subscription fee for its products’’.

While commending NAN marketers for being hardworking, he urged them to redouble their efforts and generate more revenue to enable NAN serve the Nigerian Media Industry and Nigerians better.

Onanuga promised to provide more logistics to assist NAN marketers in the discharge of their functions. (NAN)

BL/

NAN–H–77
Fraud
Lokoja, July 14, 2017 (NAN) The Kogi State government announced on Friday that it had uncovered an N8.4 billion fraud at the Kogi State University, Ayangba.

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the state governor, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja, said that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the fraud.

“The suspects perpetrated the fraud by including names of ghost workers into the payroll of the institution.

“They (suspects) work in the accounts department of the school and committed the fraud by stealing N100 million per month over a period of seven years,” Fanwo said in a briefing, shortly after the weekly executive council meeting.

He said that the fraud was discovered during the just concluded staff screening exercise.

Fanwo said that the suspects had been handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

He said that government would soon establish international markets at Kabba, Ankpa and Adavi to boost the Kogi economy, adding that contracts for the projects hand been awarded with work expected to commence in September.

He said that the council also approved the contract for the construction of the office of the state-owned newspapers, “The Graphic.”

Fanwo said that the council also took a decisive look at the menace of erosion in some parts of the state and set up a committee to work with the State Emergency Management Agency to tackle the problem. (NAN ).

KKA/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

NAN-AE-4
Agriculture
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, July 14, 2017 (NAN) The Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kehinde Oloruntoba, of Friday has said that the state government will spur the development of agriculture.

A statement signed by Mr Tunde Oladunjoyelo, World Bank’s Media Consultant on the FADAMA programme in Abuja, said that Oloruntoba expressed the commitment during a tour of some farms and infrastructural projects.

The projects are executed under the FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) programme.

Oloruntoba said that the state government was building a rice mill with a capacity of processing 50 tonnes of rice per day at Omi, Yagba East Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the mill, which would be completed before the end of the year, would facilitate the production of the Confluence Rice brand.

He lauded the state FADAMA Coordination Office for its excellent service delivery.

Mr David Apeh, the Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Agriculture, also said that efforts were underway to produce rice in large quantities through the FADAMA III AF programme.

He said that the FADAMA project had a tremendous impact on the economy of the state and the nation at large, adding that the rice mill, under construction in Omi, would boost the country’s rice processing capacity.

Also speaking, Mr Paul Ogunmola, the State Project Coordinator, FADAMA III AF programme, said that Kogi was renowned for rice production, adding that over 4,000 hectares of rice plantation was under cultivation. (NAN)
ROK/OOK
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NAN-H-28

Appeal

By Aledare Akinwale
‎
Lokoja, July 14,2017(NAN)‎ Mr Alaba Ajibade, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) Kabba branch, Kogi has appealed to Gov. Yahaya Bello to assist the branch with subsidized buses.

Ajibade made the appeal on Friday, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Lokoja on the sideline of the NURTW’s zonal meeting in Lokoja.

He said such assistance would go a long way to ease the stress of buying fairly used vehicles for commercial purpose and bring succour to commercial drivers.

Ajibade said the appeal also became necessary as members of the branch of the union could no longer buy vehicles due to the high price of vehicles in the country.

He commended the Gov. Bello for reviving the Confluence Express Transport Company and buying new buses for the company to enable it function effectively.

The branch chairman expressed optimism that the new improved transport company would ensure employment of more hands and boost revenue profile of the state government among other advantages.

Ajibade also urged the governor to assist the union repair the various motor parks in the state, adding that such structures were fast deteriorating.

He appealed to members of the union to exercise caution while driving and to obey traffic laws to reduce carnage on roads. (NAN)‎

WAL/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed
 

NAN-H-114

Power
By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, July 13, 2017 (NAN)The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde  Fashola, has said that the challenges of the power sector in Nigeria are manmade and not technical.

Fashola made the statement as a distinguished lecturer at the University of Lagos on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the lecture, organised by the Department of Economics of the university,  was: The Power Sector Reform in Nigeria; Challenges and the Way Forward.

Fashola said there was no mystery in achieving stable and reliable electricity supply but that all stakeholders must conform to guidelines of the sector’s roadmap.

He said the roadmap was aimed at  getting incremental, stable and uninterrupted power but that achieving set targets required step-by-step approach.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with APC government and pledged that the party  would deliver on its promises.

The minister said attacks on gas pipelines; kidnapping of expatriates working on power sustainability, procedures and inefficiencies in power transmission and distribution were among the challenges facing the sector.

He also cited sabotage in governance; non-payment of tariff, poor investment, among others as other challenges frustrating the power sector.

The minister noted that the issue of stable power was characterised by many years of broken promises but added that the sector was making progress.

He said  that the country was not yet feeling the impact of work done because of the processes involved in transmission and distribution.

“The issue of containers left in the port for about 10 years; explosion of pipelines; badly installed equipment; cancelled tariff, electricity theft among others are all the handiwork of men.

“Now, if men and women created these problems, in my view only men and women can solve them.

” You and I have a role to play, I have stood  up to play my role, have you?”

The minister highlighted issues related to metering and tariff and asked Nigerians to blow whistle when they noticed sharp practices among the operators.
Dr Wale Babalakin , the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman  Governing Council  of the university, said  the country needed a well thought out  solution based on creativity.

“In thinking of the power generating solution of this country, we also we must be creative. We have what it takes but we indeed need to work on our attitude.

“And that is why I am calling on all to join hand in reforming our education sector which is key to any developmental stride.

.

“Education as the engine room for the revolution of Nigeria must be fostered,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor  of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Bello, said Fashola  was well informed about  intrigues in the sector and  would get the solution with the support of all Nigerians.

.

Bello said under the minister plans had been concluded  to energise all public universities in Nigeria, adding that an agreement had been signed for power generation at the university of Lagos.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, Prof. Iyiola Oni, noted that the multiplier effects of power outages in the country had led to high cost of production.

Oni also stated that inflation, unemployment and poverty were ripple effects of the power sector challenge.

.

“In effect, this means that most of these  negative vices are more likely to become things of the past if sufficient and reliable power supply can be guaranteed,” he said .(NAN)

CCN/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-HG-6

Osotimehin
By Abolade Ogundimu
Abuja, July 13, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister for Health has described the late Babatunde Osotimehin, 68, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as a man who served God and humanity during his journey on earth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Osotimehin was one time Minister of Health between 2008 and 2010.

Adewole said this on Thursday while speaking with the mediamen at the end of Service of Song organised in honour of Osotimehin in Abuja by National Action Committee against AIDS (NACA).

“Osotimehin served both God and humanity throughout his life time and was passionate about the well-being of girls and women in the society.

“His legacy will definitely live forever in the life of those people he presided over their well-being,”he said.

Similarly, Pro. Onyebuchi Chukwu, also one of Osotimehin’s successors at the health ministry described Osotimehin as a sociable, humble and selfless professional.

“He was a sociable, humble and selfless personality; I rated him high  while serving the nation in different capacity.

“Osotimehin was the pride of the country at the UNFPA. He will be greatly missed.

Chukwu also said  Osotimehin was a man of immeasurable achievements.

Victor Omoyele, representative of People Living with HIV in Nigeria said,“Osotimehin will be remembered by 3.1 million Nigerians living with HIV in Nigeria.(NAN)

Osotimehin’s  daughter , Mrs Kehinde Olorunleke, described her father as a man who embraced his work with passion.

”He believed in us as his children than we believe in ourselves. We will miss him greatly,” she said

Osotimehin  studied medicine at the University of Ibadan and earned Doctorate Degree from the University of Birmingham in 1979 as well as other academic laurels.

Born on Feb. 6, 1949 in Ogun state, he was also the pioneer Director-General, National Action Committee on AIDS. He died June 4.

ASAB/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

NAN-AE-2
Advocacy
By Kudirat Ogunyemi and Philomina Attah
Abuja, July 12, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, will soon embark on a nationwide advocacy tour of the six geo-political zones on agricultural quality control and standardisation.

Ogbeh told newsmen in Abuja that the advocacy was necessary in order to address issues leading to the ban imposed by the European Union (EU) of the country’s agricultural produce in the international market.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nationwide advocacy visit to the six geo-political zones will start on July 23 and end on Aug. 26.

“‘The quality control of our commodities starts from the field operations, including land clearing, soil testing, seed selection, varietal selection, chemical application, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and post-harvest operations.

“There is no time than now to mainstream food safety into agricultural production if we want to really diversify our economy, using agriculture as a veritable tool and also have our share of the export.

“The nationwide advocacy on quality control and standardisation of agricultural commodities is targeting primary farmers and other stakeholders along the food value chain.

“We need to inculcate the culture of agro quality among key policy makers, in both public and private institutions, propelling them to recognise the essential role of food safety in production to the sale point of our commodity,’’ he said.

According to Ogbeh, there will be commodities certification centres across the six geopolitical zones to aid certification, standardisation and traceability of any agricultural product.

He added that the advocacy would start in Kano State for North-West to Borno for North-East, to Benue for North-Central, to Enugu State for South-East, to Rivers for South-South and Lagos State for South-West.

“Nigerians also deserve good, safe and quality agro outputs for consumption and should be globally accepted like their counterparts across the globe.

“The ban on our dry beans by EU (European Union) draws our attention that we have actually been consuming poison unknowingly, which has resulted to an increase on non-communicable disease,’’ he added.

Ogbeh, however, commended the Standing Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on Zero Reject of Agricultural Commodities and Non-Oil Export for its hard work and UNIDO as a consultant partner. (NAN)
ROK/APA/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-H-33

Education

By Aledare Akinwale

Lokoja, July 11, 2017 (NAN)‎ An educationist, Mr Ape Onakpa, has advised Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to prioritise the development of education for the overall development of the state.

Onakpe, a former Principal, Government Secondary School, Ejule in Dekina Local Government of the state gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lokoja.

He lamented the decadence in the educational system, saying the situation required urgent and pragmatic approach from the state government.

He appealed to the governor to give attention to basic educational needs so that students could be taught necessary norms and values of education.

The former principal said the salaries ‎of teachers should also be given priority by the government.

Onakpe, however, commended Bello for reaching out to the striking tertiary institution workers, thus persuading them to resume work.

“Students must always be in school to get the best of education.

“An education system experiencing frequent industrial action cannot offer the best service to the youths,’’ he said.‎

Onakpa also appealed to academic and non academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state to embrace dialogue in the interest of students and their parents.

He said they should be considerate in their demands and make sacrifice in their negotiation with the state government‎.

He further urged the state government to do the needful by paying all allowances and salaries of lecturers for full resumption of academic activities.

NAN reports that both teaching and none teaching staff of state owned tertiary institutions went on indefinite strike since January over non payment of their salaries and other entitlements.

The Governor of the state, Alhaji Yayaha Bello was in Anyigba on Tuesday, to meet members of the staff of the state University, Anyigba to resolve the problem.

He had earlier urged the striking members of staff of the higher institutions to call off their strike, assuring them that government would meet their demands.

NAN correspondent, who visited the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Tuesday, reports that students were seen returning to the institution in readiness for academic activities.(NAN)

WAL/AIB/DUA

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Dada Ahmed

NAN-H-3
Housing
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, July 11, 2017 (NAN) Dr Hannatu Fika, the Executive Secretary of Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), has said that one way a government can encourage workers is by providing them shelter.

Fika spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

She said it was for this reason that the current government had  used FGSHLB to enable federal government workers to build  houses.

Fika said that over time the board had helped 30,000 workers to access loans to own houses.

“The best thing any government can do for its workers is to provide certain basic welfare needs so that they too can work effectively, diligently and willingly for the country.

“The first recipient of our loan and the house procured from this scheme is still standing in Surulere, Lagos, since 1952.

“Until 1974 the programme was only situated in the Lagos territory but was expanded to all the states of the federation.

“So as of today, from the statistics of loans that we recently disbursed, we can proudly say that we have touched the lives of 30000 federal public servants who now own their own homes through the FGLSHB revolving scheme.’’

She noted that the board started operations in 1924.

Fika said the housing deficit in the country might persist if the   relevant agencies lacked the resources to operate.

“We will continue to pressurise government to make fund available for us.

“If you look at the number of civil servants that come under our purview they are so many.’’

She, however, stressed that  “as long as funds are not there, we have to utilise what is in the mortgage agency to be able to build these houses.’’

Fika lauded the efforts of the present administration to provide houses for Nigerians, especially through the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’s projects in all the states.  (NAN)

KTE/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie