Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-113
Protest
Lokoja, May 15, 2017 (NAN) Students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, on Monday blocked the Okene-Lokoja highway for hours to protest their continued stay-at- home due to strike by their lecturers.

The students returned to campus following the directive by the state government to academic and non-academic staff in state-owned tertiary institutions to resume work by Monday.

The students were disappointed when they trooped back to campus only to meet their school under lock and key.

The state Head of Service had threatened that government would apply the no work, no pay rule if the workers fail to suspend their four months old strike and resume work on May 15.

However the leaders of various unions in tertiary institutions across the state directed their members to ignore the government directive and continue to stay off work.

Angered by the development, the students used bonfires and other items to block the Lokoja-Okene section of the busy Lokoja-Abuja highway

The action disrupted vehicular movement on the highway but the police swiftly responded by firing canisters of teargas to disperse the students.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the campus, observed that the property of the school were not destroyed as the protest took place only on the highway.

As at the time of this report, vehicular movement on the road had been restored due to the efforts of police and officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission.

The Police Public Relations Officer ASP William Aya was not available when NAN called him on phone. (NAN)
KKA/AEA
========

NAN-AE-2
Extortion
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, May 15, 2017 (NAN) Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to stop some government officials from extorting money from transporters of agricultural produce on federal highways.

According to a statement by Mr Peter Nwodo, Head of Media and Public Affairs, NAQS, in Abuja on Monday, a delegation of NAQS officials made the call at a meeting with the I-G in Abuja.

The officials met with the I-G to solicit the support of the police in efforts to check the incidence of extortion of transporters conveying agricultural commodities.

The Coordinating Director of NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe, who led the delegation, said that quarantine control posts were created for disease/pest surveillance, with a view to safeguarding the nation’s agricultural production.

He, however, noted that some state governments had turned those disease/pest surveillance points into revenue generating outlets, negating the original intention of the Federal Government for establishing the posts.

Isegbe said that the development had led to an upsurge in the market prices of agricultural commodities, while causing post-harvest losses of produce, especially the perishable goods, due to the delays at the illegal checkpoints.

Responding, Idris commended NAQS for being alive to its responsibilities as the frontline protector of the nation’s agricultural economy.

He assured NAQS of his support and pledged the full cooperation of the police to guarantee operational synergy at the various quarantine control posts across the country. (NAN)
ROK/AAB/OOK
============
Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and Dayo Komolafe

NAN-AE-3
Roads
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, May 15, 2017 (NAN) The Ondo State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate rural roads around Fadama farm projects in the state for easy evacuation of agricultural produce.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr Akin Olotu, made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

“If enormous resources are committed to road rehabilitation in Fadama production clusters, succour will come the way of farmers to easily get their produce from farms to nearby markets.

“The essence of production is getting what is produced in the farms to market and turning it into income for the farmers,’’ he said.

Olotu urged the federal government to prioritise for rehabilitation the 41km roads around Fadama clusters in order to achieve the laudable objectives of the project.

Also speaking, Mr Ademosun Salawu, a World Bank official supervising the project, said its objective was to increase the real income of beneficiaries.

“ This is the extent to which the project has been able to upgrade the production level of farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture and how the project has improved rural infrastructure,’’ Salawu said.

The State Project Coordinator, Mr Olusiji Olatunji, said over 3,000 hectares of both cassava and rice plantation would be implemented by farmers in the state. (NAN)
ROK/JEO/WOJ
===========

(Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H -1

Prayers

Aledare Akinwale

Lokoja, May 14, 2017 (NAN) Rev. Soji Adeniyi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lokoja, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari,as he traveled out of the country on health ground.

‎Adeniyi made the appeal on Sunday in Lokoja, his sermon entitled, “The need to always pray for a nation.”

The cleric said there was a need for the people to always seek the face of God for their leaders and country.

The Reverend, who prayed for the quick recovery of Buhari, said he would triumph over the sickness and return in good health to continue his duty to the nation.

He advised people who form the habit of wishing their fellow human death to eschew such attitude, adding that it was against the scripture.

Adeniyi, however, urged leaders to always have the fear of God in their actions toward the led and make it a duty to serve the people.

He expressed the hope that Nigeria would soon be ranked among great nations of the world. (NAN)

WAL/TO/DUA

Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Dada Ahmed
 

 NAN-H-48

Resources

By Egbogota Clara and Oladapo Udom

Lagos, May 11, 2017 (NAN) The Dean Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo, has stressed the need for the Federal Government to harness resources other than oil in the country.

Ademowo gave this advice at the closing ceremony of the second session of the 33rd synod, entitled, “Serving” at Our Saviours Church Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Onikan, on Thursday in Lagos.

He urged the Federal Government to raise a team of experts that would come up with vibrant economic policies for the country in order to achieve economic recovery.

“The nation’s continued over reliance on oil, which accounts for 90 per cent of the country’s foreign earnings, has exposed the economy to a major setback in foreign earnings and depletion of foreign reserve.

“The nation economy plunged into recession as a result of the fall in the global price of oil, and the resumption of militancy activities in Niger Delta, which has affected production,’’ he said.

The cleric advised economic policy formulators to ensure that the government improves the ease of doing business in Nigeria to attract foreign investors, boost the economy and generate employment.

Ademowo also lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing the menace of insurgency in the country.

He urged the government at all levels to address the immediate causes of insecurity in the country, saying if left unchecked, would pose as a threat to the unity of the country.

“The success recorded at taking over the terrorist enclave in Sambisa forest by the Nigerian armed forces is laudable.

“The efforts to achieve economic development and security of lives and property may continue to suffer setbacks in the face of unbridled terrorist activities .

“The effects of terrorist activities such as suicide bombings, kidnapping, destruction of lives and public infrastructure, if unchecked, could create an atmosphere of fear, panic and confusion.

“It can also endanger the efforts to achieve industrial development in the country and to face this challenge headlong, a change of approach is inevitable,’’ he added.

Ademowo said that some Christians had deviated from their purpose of existence and needed to be constantly reminded that their main purpose was service to God and humanity.

Ademowo said that it was only through selfless service to God and humanity that life could be made more comfortable for the masses.

According to him, the theme of the synod is to propagate the message on the importance of selfless service to humanity. (NAN)

OUU/ECO/COO/YEMI
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-AE-2
Intervention
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, May 11, 2017 (NAN) The Kogi government on Thursday said it would seek World Bank’s intervention in its quest to boost rice production and improve aquatic culture in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oloruntoba Kehinde, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Kehinde said the state government was impressed with the success recorded by the World Bank in cassava production and its value chain under the Fadama 111 additional financing in Kogi.

He noted that the bank’s intervention would ultimately encourage rice production in Kogi and make the state one of the largest producer of rice in North Central Nigeria.

He described Kogi as “a confluence of opportunities”, blessed with rivers, fertile expanse of land and able-bodied men.

The commissioner said that areas like Ibaji, Ejiba/Omi Dam, Bassa, Koton-Karfe, Lokoja, Omala, among others, had abundance of viable farm lands for rice and aquatic culture.

“We want the World Bank to intervene in rice production and aquaculture because the bank has being a worthy partner in cassava production and even in the health sector,” Kehinde said.

He said the state government realised agriculture was pivotal to its economic growth and had declared a state of emergency in the sector to reduce crime and guarantee food security.

Kehinde disclosed that Kogi had asked for the lease of Federal Government’s 4,500 hectares land around Omi Dam in Yagba West and Ibaji Local Government Areas for rice production.

He said the federal government has also pledged to set up another rice mill in Ibaji and called for upscale in rice cultivation to feed the mills.

“About 45,000 hectares of Fadama land in Odo-Ape could also be used for cassava and rice production,” he said.

NAN reports that Kogi is one of the six core states of Fadama III programme participating in cassava value chain. (NAN)
ROK/KOO/WOJ
============
(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-HE-4
Fadama
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, May 10, 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Usman Kutigi, the Coordinator of Niger Fadama Project, says Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) intervention programme will have positive impact on the people of the state.

Kutigi made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said that the Fadama intervention programme would boost food security and eradicate poverty through enhanced agricultural production in the state and Nigeria at large.

According to him, the state government has provided subsidised inputs and credit support to farmers during the rainy season in collaboration with Fadama farmers and the Bank of Agriculture.

“I appreciate the donor agencies like the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and others for supporting the state,’’ he said.

Kutigi said that the agricultural inputs provided included 30 metric tonnes of improved rice seeds, 2,300 litres of herbicides and 150 metric tonnes of fertilisers.

“I will like to inform you that the state has gone far in the implementation of Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) as three of core states.

“The state has more than 1,000 hectares of rice comprising 800 hectares in 2016 rainy season and 300 hectares for dry season,’’ he said.

Kutigi said the state government was committed to the Fadama III Additional Financing Project, adding that the beneficiary communities were also cooperating.

Niger State is one of the core states under fadama 111 AF which is into rice value chain. (NAN)
ROK/JPE/TA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Tajudeen Atitebi

Oyo State Govt. to reposition Igbeti Marble, inaugurates NMMC board – Ajimobi

NAN-AE-13
Marble
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, May 9, 2017(NAN) The Oyo State Government will soon reposition the Nigeria Marble Mining Company Limited (NMMC) in Igbeti area of the state to a viable enterprise, so as to explore its huge potential.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State disclosed this in Ibadan on Tuesday during the inauguration of the board members of the company.

Ajimobi, who said that the Igbeti Marble was one of the enterprises that have huge potential in the country, urged the newly inaugurated board to review the technical management partners of the company.

The governor urged the new board to bring investors, particularly from China and Australia that are ready with financial capability and equipment to transform the company.

‘‘If the new board can get investors, who are ready to invest heavily in the business, we can reduce our share percentage and urge the Federal Government to reduce theirs too by five per cent.

‘‘We believe that the company could be well transformed for great benefit through Public Private Partnership (PPP),’’ he said.

He also called on the newly inaugurated board to reposition the company to a platform for all stakeholders in the country to benefit.

Ajimobi said that the effort of the government toward repositioning the industry was in line with his administration’s development tripod of restoration, transformation and repositioning.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly inaugurated board of the company has nine members, drawn from among the stakeholders.

The breakdown of the composition was three from the state government, two from the Federal Government, three from Igbeti Marble Industry and one from Olorunsogo Local Government area.

Representing the state are Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Mathew Oyedokun, Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals and Mr Seun Abimbola, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

On the list is the Chairman, Olorunsogo Local Government, while Mr Ayobami Akanbi and Mr Donatus Umaro, Zonal Mines Officer, South West are representing the Federal Government.

Others are Dr (Mrs) Jadesola Sodipe, Chief Jacob Adetoro and Chief (Mrs) Connie Aremu representing Igbeti Marble Industries on the newly inaugurated board.

Adetoro, the Asiwaju of Igbeti and a board member representing Igbeti Mining Industry (IMI), said that the NMMC board had been in existence since 2001 but was no more functioning as a result of some challenges.

He appreciated the state government for its concern and commitment toward repositioning the company, adding that the new board inaugurated consisted members representing the shareholders.

Adetoro, also a representative of the community, said that the company had for many years been moribund, expressing optimism of greater benefits to all stakeholders with the newly inaugurated board.

NAN reports that NMMC started as Igbeti Mining Industries Limited owned by Chief Oyedele Ashamu but was later taken over by Oyo State Government in 1978.

The equity structure was 30 per cent to Oyo State Government, 25 per cent to IMI, 20 per cent to Federal Government, 10 per cent to Local Government and 15 per cent to Technical Partners. (NAN)
TAA/MOL/AFA
=============
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide

NAN–H–21

Criminals

Lokoja, May 9, 2017 (NAN) Mr Wilson Inalegwu, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi, has charged men and officers of the command to go after kidnappers and armed robbers terrorising people in some parts of the state.

Inalegwu, while addressing operatives of the 37 Mobile Police Force Command on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that criminals should not be allowed to continue to operate at will.

“It can never be business as usual; criminals must be forced to abandon their arms or relocate from Kogi,” he said.

Inalegwu restated his determination to rid Kogi of criminals to allow residents and visitors to move freely, and called for support from members of the public toward achieving that.

“We cannot fight crime without the support of the public. Kogi residents should assist the police with the right information,” he said. (NAN)
KKA/ETS
========

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

NAN-H-33
Safety
Lokoja, May 9, 2017 (NAN) Six motor parks in Lokoja metropolis will be closed as part of efforts to enhance passengers safety on roads across Kogi, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Salisu Sani-Ogu, has said.

The commissioner made the statement on Tuesday in Lokoja at a press conference to flag-off the 2017 United Nations Global Safety Week.

He said that the closure of the parks was aimed at centralizing loading of passengers out of the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the safety week is being marked in collaboration with West African Road Safety Organisation with its headquarters in Nigeria.

Sani-Ogu said that motor parks located at Ganaja junction, Post Office, Kogi travelers, Ibro Park, Sarki-Noma and local government secretariat would be relocated to the new ultra-modern motor park.

He said that the ultra-modern motor part, constructed at Felele area of the city, cost the government N1.5 billion.

The commissioner said that the new park would serve as the central loading point for all inter-state commercial vehicles.

He added that efforts were on top gear to provide the new park with police station, water, road network and other facilities to enable it function 24 hours daily.

Sani-Ogu said that two mini parks would be established by the government at Ganaja and Zango Daji suburbs of Lokoja to cater for intra-state transportation services.

He expressed concern at the high rate of crashes on the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene and Lokoja-Ajaokuta-Ayungba roads.

He said that the government would assist the Federal Road Safety Corps to restore sanity on the roads.

He said that government would soon organise stakeholders meeting where decisions would be taken on how to ensure safety of live and property on all the roads across the state.

In his remarks, the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Segun Martins, said that the week was to remember victims of road accidents.

He added that it was also sensitive motorists on the need to drive with caution.

Martins, who was represented by Mr Suleiman Mohammed, the Head of Operations, said that the enforcement of speed limiting device has helped to reduce road crashes in the state.

He appealed to the government and relevant establishments to join hands with the FRSC to reduce carnage on the roads.

“Excessive speeding by drivers has been the problem.

“If the road is good, it is problem, if the road is bad, it is a problem. This is the situation we have found ourselves,” he said. (NAN)
KKA/AEA
=======