Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-47
Flood (Re-0pened)
By Aminu Garko

Suleja (Niger), July 9, 2017 (NAN) The Chairman of Suleja Local Government of Niger, Malam Abdullahi Maje, has confirmed 10 persons missing and two bodies recovered in flood in the area on Sunday.

Maje also said that 100 houses were affected in the incident, adding that eight houses were washed away in the flood, which followed 10 hours of heavy  rainfall.

Witnesses had said that eight members of a family were suspected to have died in the flood which affected Suleja and Tafa local Government areas of Niger.

The head of the household was said to have survived but his  two wives and six children were not lucky.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many families were affected with household effects floating in the water.

Many people struggled to bale water out of their houses.

Mr Mohammed Mohammed, the District Police Officer in-charge of Division ‘A’ Police station in Suleja, could not confirm the casualty figure but said his men had visited the flood scenes.

“The flood affected many people who built their houses along the river bank; many houses have been destroyed with unconfirmed number of deaths recorded.

“Police are providing security around the scene so that hoodlums will not cart away victims’ property especially those lying outside,” he said.

He promised to furnish more details on the incident.

The National Emergency Management Agency was not also able to give  details.

Meanwhile, Malam Abdulkareem Samanja, the Village Head of Hayin Nasarawa-Iku in the nearby Tafa Local Government Area decried the loss of property.

He said he was still awaiting report from ward heads on the incident.
At Suleja General Hospital, Musliu Mohammed, a 17 year-old boy, recovered from the flood and brought into the hospital by sympathisers, was placed on admission (NAN)
AAGJCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-HG-3

Immunisation

By Muhammad Bashi

Dutse,(Jigawa) July8,2017 (NAN) The Jigawa Government says it will immunise about 1.7 million children against polio in the ongoing immunisation campaign in the state.

Dr Kabiru Ibrahim, Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHDCA), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Dutse.

Ibrahim said enough personnel had been engaged to conduct the exercise simultaneously in the 27 local government areas of the state.

He appealed to parents to cooperate with the immunisation officials to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise.

The executive secretary said the exercise was to ensure that all children in the state were immunised against the disease

According to him, the exercise will also facilitate state government’s quick response to combating the diseases and other emergency situations in the state.

NAN reports that the exercise commenced on Saturday in all the 27 local government areas of the state (NAN)

MNB/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

27962

NAN-HG-14
Herbs
Okene (Kogi State), July 6, 2017 (NAN) Federal Government said plans were in the offing to develop Nigerian herbal medicines for export.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, made this known
on Thursday at Adavieba community in Adavi Local Government of Kogi when he
visited reknowned traditional medicine practitioner, Pa Aliyu Giwa.

Onu said a situation where traditional medicine from Asian countries flooded Nigerian markets called for serious attention from government, saying there was need to look inward to develop local herbs for export.

He added that “we are tired of importing everything we need from outside;  the time has come for us to look inward and see how we can export our traditional medicines.”

According to him, many diseases that appear incurable through orthodox medicine can
be cured with herbal medicines.

He said that he decided to visit Pa Giwa because of the respect the ministry had for him, describing Giwa as herbal practitioner who distinguished himself in the area of prostate cancer and other ailments.

The minister explained that the Federal Government would collaborate with Giwa through Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency to enable other Nigerians to benefit from his knowledge.

Onu said that the Federal Ministry of Health had agreed to be part of the effort,
noting that the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development
(NIPPRI) would be involved in the process of developing the medicines for use locally and abroad.

Pa Giwa, a 90-year-old traditional medicine practitioner specialises in the treatment of prostate cancer, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, rheumatism, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other ailments using local herbs.

The minister said government would expand Giwa’s clinic by building for him a four-bedroom flat to enable him to accommodate more patients and also provide him with a vehicle to enhance mobility.

Giwa, while welcoming the minister and his entourage to his house, told his visitors that traditional medicine started from his grandfather who imparted the knowledge on his father who in turn transferred the knowledge to him.

He said he had treated many Nigerians from different parts of the country and expressed his readiness to continue to offer his services to people as long as God spared his life.

Giwa also thanked the minister for deciding to expand his clinic and give him a vehicle, saying the gestures would go a long way to assist him in his work.

One of his patients, Nze Stephen Ibeneme, who said he had been battling with prostate cancer since 2008, said “I was healed within three days by Pa Giwa.”

Ibeneme, a traditional ruler, appealed to Federal Government to assist Pa Giwa “so that other Nigerians can benefit from his traditional medicine.”

The Director-General of NIPPRI, Prof. Karniyusus Gammaniel, who represented the Federal Ministry of Health during the visit, said there was no conflict between traditional and orthodox medicine.

He expressed the readiness of Ministry of Health to partner with Ministry of Science and Technology to develop herbal medicine in line with the wish of Federal Government.

The science and technology minister also paid courtesy visit to Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim and the Power Equipment Infrastructure Development Agency in Okene.

On the minister’s entourage were top government officials, including the Director-General of Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Mr Sam Etatuvie. (NAN)
KKA/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-ELS-2

Language

Abuja, July 5, 2017 (NAN) Mr Francis Nwachukwu, a linguist with the Arts and Crafts Village, Abuja has urged Nigerians to learn foreign languages besides English, to enhance communication, unity and business enterprise globally.

He gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Nwachukwu expressed dismay that many Nigerians did not show interest in other international language apart from English.

He described America as a country that’’ speaks other country’s language, irrespective of its colonised language.’’

“Because of our orientation,we are only subjected to speaking our colonial language, English language, and the traditional dialect.

“Therefore, as a country surrounded by French speaking countries, all we need do is to try as much as possible learn French language and be able to speak it,’’ he said.

He also said that speaking the language of other countries would give Nigerians access to knowing their cultural heritage and traditions.

Nwachukwu called on the stake holders in education to ensure that the educational system of the country mandates students to learn and speak at least one international language.

He said the school curriculum should make international language a compulsory subject for students at all levels.

“This will make students develop interest in speaking other foreign languages, especially from the primary school.’’

Also, Mrs Edith Thompson, a teacher, stressed the need for Nigerians to speak one foreign language, to foster unity between them and the citizens of other nations.

She noted that learning foreign languages would serve as an added advantage in securing job as well as getting other benefits from other countries of the world.

“ Some years back, I got a job with a French company but lost the job on the ground that I could not speak French.

She advised parents and guardians to encourage their children and wards to learn and speak other languages, to know more about other peoples’ culture and traditions among other advantages.(NAN)

SOO/COO/DUA
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Dada Ahmed

NAN-AE-6
Strategy
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, July 5, 2017 (NAN) The FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) programme says it is reviewing its communication strategy so as to reach out to its beneficiaries, better their lives and increase food production in Nigeria.

Mr Aliyu Kutigi, the Niger State Project Coordinator (SPC) of FADAMA III AF programme, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Kutigi said that the review of the communication strategy would facilitate efforts to empower the FADAMA beneficiaries with modern farming techniques through the media.

According to him, this will enhance the successful implementation of the project.

“In Niger, FADAMA farmers are reached through electronic and print media outfits like Radio Niger, Lavun Community Radio and NTA as well as newspapers.

“Other strategies we are adopting to communicate with the farmers are drama presentations, songs, films, video shows and public service announcement — using mobile media vans.

“These strategies have assisted the Niger State FADAMA Office in mobilising the communities and them sensitising to the specific schemes of the FADAMA III AF programme in the state,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that the Niger was the first state to set up a FADAMA project community radio station.

The radio station was established in 2014with support from the World Bank, the National FADAMA Office and other stakeholders.

Kutigi said that the successes so far recorded by the FADAMA III AF project, following the adoption of the communication strategies had been tremendous.

He said that 1,025 farmers were trained in business plan development, while 2,500 farmers received training in agribusiness management.

He also said that 312 programme slots were produced for broadcast by the radio and television, while 3,300 publications were printed and distributed to farmers and other stakeholders.

“A total of 79 farm clusters and 747 farmers, processors and agricultural services providers have been registered,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the main objective of the FADAMA III AF programme is to scale up the impact and the development effectiveness of a well-structured agricultural project.

The programme, which is implemented in some selected states with comparative advantage and high potential to increase production of cassava, rice, sorghum and horticulture value chains, also helps to link the farmers to better-organised markets. (NAN)
ROK/AIB/OOK
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-H-15
Suit
Lokoja, July 4, 2017 (NAN) Some electorate in Kogi, have approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to declare the return and swearing-in of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the governor of Kogi as null and void

The suit, number FHC/ABJ/C3/535/ /2017, was filed on June 16 before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court 3, Abuja, according to documents made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Mr Michael Elokun, Mr Ibrahim Sule and Mrs Hawa Adamu , all registered voters in Kogi are the electorate suing Bello on behalf of over 1.2 million registered voters in the state.

Other defendants in the suit are: the All Progressives Party (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In the originating summon supported by a 19-paragraph affidavit, the petitioners are asking the court to remove the governor on grounds that he is not a registered voter in Kogi.

The petitioners also urged the court to remove Bello on the grounds that he was not validly nominated in writing to contest the 2015 governorship election by any registered voter in the state.

They contended that this was in accordance with Section 32 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended.

Elokun, Sule and Adamu want the court to affirm that since Bello was not a registered voter in Kogi, he could not be nominated for any elective position or be voted for by the electorate in the state.

On this premise, the petitioners are asking the court to declare as null and void the declaration of Bello as the winner of the governorship election held in the state in 2015 by the INEC.

No date had been fixed to hear the suit. (NAN)
KKA/AEA
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NAN-H-52

Maitama

Yola, July 3, 2017 (NAN) The Adamawa  Government, on Monday condoled with the family and people of Kano, on the death of the elder statesman and one time Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama.

Maitama, a two- time minister and Kano tittle holder of Danmasanin, passed away in the early hours of Monday at a hospital in Cairo.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, described the death of Maitama as a great loss to the nation.

“It is a great loss for Nigeria; it is a great loss for Kano and  the North; it is a loss to humanity.

“We have lost a very great statesman and one of the finest ever produced in Nigeria. He is a voice of the people,” Sajoh said.

Meanwhile, a cross section of residents of Yola, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the elder statesman, expressed shock on his demise and prayed God to give him eternal rest.

“He is a good example of an elder statesman; always preaching peace, love and unity,” said Abdulrasheed Musa, a shop owner.

Hajara Lawan, a teacher, said: “Nigerians have gained a lot from his wealth of experience, he was a great teacher, may God grant him paradise, and his family the fortitude to bear the loss”. (NAN)
YMU/YEMI

NAN-AE-3
Contamination
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, July 3, 2017 (NAN) Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China, has sensitised market men and women to mycotoxin contamination of agricultural and food commodities.

A report signed by Dr Chigozie Nwodo, Head of Press and Media in NAQS, in Abuja on Monday said that the awareness activity took place in Kano, Benue and the FCT between May and June this year.

News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that mycotoxins are produced by moulds or fungi growing on agricultural commodities and allied products under some favourable environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Mycotoxins can be found in nuts, cereals, Oilseeds, tubers, seafood, spices, fruits, livestock and poultry, agro-allied products. When humans are exposed to mycotoxin, it consequently contaminates their urine, blood, semen, breast milk, serum, among others.

Dr Vincent Isegbe, the Coordinating Director of NAQS, said that that the objectives of the workshop were to educate, inform and enlighten participants on the occurrence and prevalence of mycotoxins in agricultural and food commodities.

“The workshop was organised to discuss the health and economic impacts of exposure to mycotoxin as well as the prevention and control of mycotoxin contamination in food, feeds and environment.

“It also examined the ubiquitous nature of fungi and occupational exposure to mycotoxin as well as the inappropriate post-harvest practices often employed by actors in agriculture and food value chains (producers, processors, handlers, marketers and consumers),’’ he said.

Isegbe also said that the role of agriculture and food commodities in the economic, industrial growth and the well-being of citizens was part of the themes of the workshop, which had market men and women as its target groups.

He underscored the need to give priority to any issue such as mycotoxin contamination, which had negative impacts on agriculture, food security and the people’s health.

Dr Maimuna Habib, Head of Department, Laboratory Management Services, NAQS, said that open market practices, employed by those selling agricultural and food commodities in Nigerian markets, were inappropriate, while posing a lot of risks.

She decried the habit of market men and women who were fond of washing fruits and vegetables with detergents, saying that it was a harmful practice.

Habib also said that the use of carbide on hasten the ripening of fruits such as banana and plantain, as well as the preservation beans and other commodities with dichlorvos,  among other synthetic chemicals, were not acceptable.

She said that such practices could provoke illnesses, while engendering market access restrictions and poor image for the country’s produce, among others.

“Mycotoxins have negative impact on the health of consumers as well as all the market men and women and other actors involved in the food value chain.

“Mycotoxin cannot be seen with naked eyes; however, contaminated materials tend to be rotten, mouldy, and discoloured; they also have unpleasant smell, bitter taste and poor milling qualities.

“In a nutshell, the contaminated produce can cause serious damage to animal and human health.

“I urge all the market men and women to stop the practices; they should embrace best practices for the common benefit of the sellers and consumers,’’ she said.

In his remark, Dr Zhou Pingjian, the Ambassador of the Peoples’ Republic of China, stressed that food security was not only about sustained food supplies food for the people but it also concerned the provision of nutritious and safe food for the people.

He said that the Chinese embassy was pleased to collaborate with NAQS in efforts to educate stakeholders on the dangers of mycotoxin contamination of agricultural and food commodities.

Zhou pledged the China would support any measures taken by the Federal Government to promote food safety and security.

He conveyed the willingness of China to share its experience on food safety with Nigeria, adding that his country would also provide financial and technical assistance to Nigeria in efforts to achieve agricultural transformation and food security. (NAN)
ROK/AOM/OOK
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-H-39
‎
Construction

By Aledare Akinwale

Lokoja, July 1, 2017 (NAN) Mr Abraham Suyi, the President, Agbede Community Development, has appealed to the Federal Government to speed up the ongoing construction of the Obajana-kabba road in Kogi state.

Suyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Saturday that the completion of the road project was long over-due.

‎He stated that the delay in the completion of the project has paralysed economic activities in the area as vehicular movement has drastically reduced since the construction work started.

He, therefore, appealed to the federal and state governments to compel the contractor handling the project to expedite action so that normalcy could be restored in the area.

Suyi applauded the Federal Government for awarding the contract, saying it would go a long way toward making life easier for the communities as well as boost economic activities in the area.

He urged residents to be patient and to remain calm pending the completion of the project. (NAN)

WAL/DOR/YEE
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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Emmanuel Yashim

NAN-H-78
Scholarships
By Biola Lawal
Abuja, June 29, 2017 (NAN) Mr Asim-Ali Khan, Charge De Affairs, Pakistan High Commission in Nigeria, said on Thursday that more than 100 Nigerian students were enjoying scholarships in the various Pakistani universities.

Khan, who made the disclosure in Abuja at an interactive session with newsmen, said the gesture was part of Pakistan’s assistance to the Nigerian youths.

According to him, a batch of 16 students left Nigeria for Pakistan in March to pursue post-graduate studies in Mathematics and other science-oriented courses.

‘“The scholarship scheme provided by the Pakistani Government exclusively covers Mathematics and science-oriented courses,” Khan said.

He said plans were underway to give more scholarship opportunities to Nigerians in subsequent batches as part of his country’s contributions to empower Nigerian youths through educational development.

He disclosed that Nigeria had the highest number of African students studying in the country, saying the conduct of Nigerians in that country is commendable.

The envoy urged Nigerian students in Pakistan to continue to be worthy ambassadors of their country in their various fields.

Khan also advocated a more robust economic relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan.

He said the volume of trade between the two countries stood at 450 million dollars as at May. (NAN)
BL/MOL/DA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Dele Akinsola