NAN-DS-9
Arrest
Report by Deborah Ogedemgbe
Benin, March 2, 2017 (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Haliru Gwandu, says his command has arrested 112 armed robbery suspects since his assumption of office in September 2016.

Gwandu disclosed this in Benin on Tuesday during the second phase of the Eminent Persons Forum.

He said 108 persons were prosecuted and convicted while various dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

He also disclosed that within the period 38 kidnap suspects were arrested by the command, while 37 were prosecuted.

The commissioner said 389 suspected cult members were arrested while 352 were put to trial.

He also revealed that 15 murder suspects were arrested within the period with all suspects arraigned in court.

Gwandu also said seven suspected vandals were arrested and  prosecuted.

He further stated that 30 persons had been arrested for illegal possession of fire arms and prosecuted, while 25 assorted vehicles were recovered.

He explained that the essence of the forum was to discuss challenges with a view to collaborating with reputable members of the public for effective policing.

He said that the forum was the brain child of the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. (NAN)
DCO/MOL/AMY
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Abdullahi Yusuf
=======================

NAN-H-125

Registrar

By Emmanuel Ndukuba

Awka, March 2, 2017 (NAN) The Anambra Judiciary on Thursday appointed, Mr Lawrence Uzuodu, as the Chief Registrar of the state.

Uzuodu, until his appointment, was the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of Magistrates’ Courts in the state.

The Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, who swore in the chief registrar, urged him to be firm and strict in discharging his responsibilities.

Umeadi advised the new chief registrar to put in place a mechanism to ensure discipline of judiciary staff in line with the current administration’s zero-tolerance to corruption.

He urged Uzuodu to also evolve a reward system and welfare package for staff that excel in their duties.

He disclosed that plans were on to revise the High Court and Magistrates` Court rules of the state.

Umeadi warned judicial officers against truancy and lateness to duty.

In his response, Uzuodu pledged his commitment to putting into practice those lofty ideas that would ensure that the judiciary remains the stronghold of hope of the common man.

NAN reports that the new chief registrar was appointed by the state`s Judicial Service Commission, following the retirement of Mrs Doris Ezeani in November 2016.  (NAN)
EAN/MOL/OFN
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi//Felix Nwadioha

NIWA embarks on maintenance of dredged channel of River Niger

NAN-HE-6

Dredging

Lokoja, March 2, 2017 ( NAN) Mr Boss Mustapha, the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), on Thursday said the agency had commenced routine maintenance of the dredged channel of River Niger.

Mustapha confirmed in a statement in Lokoja that the maintenance dredging would only be from Ajaokuta to Onitsha.

He said that the maintenance was to ensure smooth navigation of vessels and barges, adding that the exercise would be carried out by his workers.

The dredging of the 523-kilometre lower River Niger was executed at a cost of N36 billion.

According to him, the action is part of efforts to reposition NIWA to carry out its core mandate of providing navigation on the nation’s inland waterways all the year round.

Mustapha said that NIWA had capable and productive hands to carry out the maintenance and promised that he would continue to ensure that only NIWA staff handled its equipment during his tenure.

He said that a dredging committee that would carry out regular maintenance of the dredged channel had been inaugurated.

Mustapha gave assurances that the maintenance would be extended to other channels from time to time. (NAN)
KKA/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-2
Development
By Funmilayo Adeyemi/ Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja, March 2, 2017 (NAN) Dr Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, has urged Nigerian universities to be agents of community development rather than running all-comers’ programmes.

Saraki gave the advice in a goodwill message at the 3rd Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities in Abuja.

He was represented by Sen. Jubril Barawo, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education.

Saraki said in the past, Nigerian universities were known to have experts in certain programmes but this was no longer the case.

“Today, it is a different scenario, as many Nigerian universities want to run all programmes from university teaching hospital to having a nuclear department.

He said the development had paved way for the influx of unprepared students many of who could not address their special needs.

“There is, therefore, the need for Nigerian universities to change from being conventional sources of graduates to becoming engines of community development.

“Nigeria needs a new generation of universities that can serve as engines of community development and social renewal,’’ Saraki said.

He said that fundamental reforms would be needed in the curriculum design of the universities to boost their efforts in proffering lasting solution to the nation’s economic social and environmental challenges.

Saraki urged the committee to look into some other unwholesome practices by some lecturers who took delight in taking up multiple appointments or full time employment in more than one university.

He said the development accounted for the reduction in the quality of graduates, as a result of lack of adequate supervision by lecturers.

He called for an end to labour disputes in higher institutions to check strikes, adding that better funding would make them relevant ‘’in the ever-competitive contemporary education.’’

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, identified resource constraints as one of the challenges facing the universities.

He, however, called on the university authorities to manage the available resources at their disposal effectively and efficiently to achieve their aims and objectives.

Adamu’s massage was tagged: `The Journey so far and the Future; the Ministerial Strategic Plan for Higher Education’’.

The minister was represented on the occasion by Hajia Fatima Gidum, Director, Tertiary Education in the ministry.

Adamu urged the conference to come up with a framework for the funding of tertiary education and augment the statutory resources.

The conference, with theme, “Sustainable Tertiary Education in a Harsh Economic Environment’’,  will end on Thursday.(NAN)
PUO/FAK/FLP/DUA
================

Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dada Ahmed

NAN-F-54

Internet
Berlin, March 1, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) German parliament, which was attacked by hackers in 2015, said it suffered internet outage for several hours on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Bundestag, Ernst Hebeker said.

Hebeker, however, said there were no indications that the outage was triggered by a cyber attack.

“At the moment, there are no indications of a hack attack.

“Internet and email functions on the Bundestag’s servers went down at about 3.30 p.m. though experts believed the outage was the result of a technical problem and a replacement server was being installed.

“The German parliament was hit by a cyber attack in 2015 and the development was blamed on APT 28. ‘’But hacking group experts said it was linked to Russian military intelligence,” Hebeker said.

In another development, German intelligence agencies have warned there could be more cyber attacks ahead of national elections in September.

The agencies said in December they had seen a marked increase in Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising German society, as well as targeted cyber attacks against political parties.

But U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was pursuing at least three separate investigations into Russia’s claims.

Arno Schoenbohm, President of the German Federal Office for Information Security Technology, warned that German political parties would improve their cyber security ahead of elections in that country. (Reuters/NAN)

OYE/DUA

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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewol/Dada Ahmed

NAN-HE-15

Budget

Lokoja, March 1, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday, signed the state’s N 174.7 billion 2017 Appropriation Bill into law in his office.

Tagged “Budget of New Direction”, the budget is made of N81.6 billion recurrent expenditure and N93.1 billion capital expenditure and N75 billion higher than that of 2016 budget put at N99.998 billion.

In a brief remark, the governor urged corporate organisations and individuals to fulfill their tax obligations for the budget to achieve its targets.

He promised to adhere to the budget’s planning and framework to attain 99 per cent implementation and success.

Bello expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the state House of Assembly for their unity of purpose which he said culminated in the speedy passage of the budget.( NAN)
KKA/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed

NAN-H-112
Leadership
By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos, March 1, 2017 (NAN) Alhaji Abdulganiyu Egunjobi, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, on Wednesday attributed the rapid development in the state to visionary leaders and continuity in policy.

Egunjobi, the secretary of APC in Agege Local Government Area, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the state had been blessed with “masses-spirited’’ leaders.

The scribe called on the residents to remain steadfast in ensuring that the state remained under the leadership of APC.

“Lagos, in spite of its population, has been recording enormous successes in social and infrastructure development as a result of the good vision of the party leaders.

“These achievements are made possible by uninterrupted leadership since 1999 and consistency in policies.

“We give kudos to APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for providing the template that has galvanised the state thus far.’’

Egunjobi commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for his prompt approach in providing basic social amenities to assuage the needs of the state’s residents.

According to him, the incumbent government has worked hard in the areas of road construction and repairs, provision of adequate security for the safety of residents aside other social amenities.

The scribe, who also commended Lagosians for supporting the party called on all to support so as to enjoy uniform benefits across board.

Egunjobi, who noted that politics was not sweet without opposition, said the party in the state never regarded any election as a do-or-die affair.

He described the recent defection of six PDP lawmakers in the State House of Assembly to the ruling APC as a welcome development and a step in the right direction.

“The decision of the lawmakers to move to the APC cannot be unconnected with the pace of development in the state.

“Also, the non-discriminatory leadership style of the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, could have drawn them to APC,’’ he added.

Egunjobi, who had shown interest in contesting for the Chairmanship position of Agege Local Government Council in the forthcoming Local Government elections, described Obasa, as a “pragmatic team leader and stickler to party ethics’’.

“In Lagos, we can’t have it better in terms of quality leadership with genuine sense of commitment to the people.

“We have a rancour-free government that is waxing stronger in development and provisions for the social needs of the people.

“This is a government where the three arms of government are working together for one purpose; development. And this is the template left behind by Tinubu, our Leader,’’ he said.

He advised aspirants in the coming council elections to play the game according to the rules to compliment the good works of the party leaders. (NAN)
AYO/ENN/PDE
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(Editing by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-105
Arrest
By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja, Feb. 27, 2017 (NAN) A serving police inspector and a dismissed army corporal were among 14 suspects arrested by the  NDLEA  in Kogi  for being in possession of 1,083.62 kilograms of Indian hemp valued at N6 million.

The Commander of the NDLEA in Kogi, Mr Idris Bello,  told newsmen in Lokoja on Monday that the police inspector was arrested on Feb. 25 at Crusher area of Lokoja while conveying 75 bags of Indian hemp weighing 818.2 kg in a police bus with registration number NPF 7973 NPF.

He said that the suspect  was conveying the drug  from Okpela, Edo,  to Abuja when he was arrested alongside  two other accomplices.

Bello said that the dismissed army corporal was arrested in Lokoja while on his way from Edo  with 44kilograms of weeds suspects to be Indian hemp

According to him, 12 other suspects,  including a woman,  were arrested this month with varying kilograms of weeds.

He said that the 40- year-old woman was carrying a four-year-old boy  at the time she was arrested with 32.4 kilograms of Indian hemp.

The commander said that three other suspects  were  arrested with 190 blocks of compressed Indian hemp,   although the  exact kilogram and monetary value had not been ascertained.

He said that the suspects,  who were coming from Edo,  were arrested at Obajana in Kogi  in a car  with registration number Kano BC 737 KMC.

Bello, who   attributed the success of  the command  in recent times  to the  support being received from the state government, thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello for the donation of  patrol vehicles.

Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired Air Commander  Jerry Omodara,  commended the  NDLEA for its efforts, urging it to sustain the tempo.

He promised that  the state government would  continue to offer  support  to  all security agencies in the state. (NAN)
KKA/OJO
========
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H -35
Goods
By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja, Feb. 25, 2017 ( NAN) The Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Buba Jibrin has advised Nigerians to patronise locally-made goods to protect local industries and create jobs for the youth.

Jibrin gave the advice on Saturday in Lokoja while declaring open a five-day vocational training programme for 110 women selected from Lokoja and Kogi Local Government Councils.

He said that this would help the country to quickly come out of the economic recession.

According to him, the problem of unemployment, insecurity and poverty were largely due to Nigerians’ preference for foreign products at the expense of locally-manufactured ones.

He called for a change of attitude.

Jibrin, who is representing the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency in the House, sponsored the workshop in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

“We cannot be importing tooth pick, processed cassava (gari), plastics and cutleries and expect our economy to grow. If care is not taken, we will be importing yam from China, ‘’ he said.

Jibrin said that the bill on Made-in-Nigeria goods recently sponsored by him was to compel all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies to patronise locally-manufactured goods.

He said Nigerians should team up with the Federal Government in its quest to improve the economy.

The legislator said that change promised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was not about sharing money to the people but about empowering Nigerians to witness positive changes.

Jibrin, who is the Deputy Majority Leader, said it was in the light of this, he partnered the SMEDAN to organise the workshop for 110 women selected across the 21 wards in his constituency.

He advised the women to take advantage of the workshop to better their lives and promised to give each of them N25, 000 as start-up capital.

The North Central Coordinator of SMEDAN, Mrs Charity Abah, in her remark said that the participants would be taken through training in soap and Izal production; and fish farming, processing and packaging.

She said that after the training, SMEDAN would help the women to start and sustain their businesses by helping them to facilitate access to finance.

Abah said the women would be arranged into cooperative groups for the purpose.

She, however, advised the women to be passionate about their vocation so as to achieve success and commended Jibrin for partnering with SMEDAN to better the lots of the women.

One of the participants, Mrs Rhamatu Mohammed, commended Jibrin and SMEDAN for their efforts directed at helping her and other women to become self-reliant and bread winners.

Mohammed thanked the legislator for his decision to give all participants start-up capital and promised that they would not disappoint him so that more women could benefit. (NAN)
KKA/AJA
========
(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-AE-5
Coal
By Mercy Osajiugo
Minna, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Nuhu Obaje, a geologist at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger, has propounded “defusinization’’ as a new concept in coal research that can be used to produce smokeless coal.

The don made the claim in the university’s newsletter, which was given to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Thursday.

The publication said that Obaje, the Director of the university’s Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research (CASTER), propounded the theory when he presented an interim report on a coal research.

“This new concept was as a result of some preliminary discussions with scientists at Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mukheim, Germany, and Federal Institute for Geoscience in Hannover, also in Germany.

“The assessment of some Nigerian coal deposits as raw materials for the production of a new brand of smokeless fuel was sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund),’’ he said.

Obaje said that the concept was based on studies on coal carbonisation by some geologists in the early 1960s.

“It was discovered that during the carbonisation process, coal softens, fuses and re-solidifies to form the carbon-rich material known as Coke,’’ he said.

He said that the “defunisation’’ experiment was carried out with field mapping and sampling in Kudu in Niger, Okaba Omelehu, Ogbyaga in Kogi and Owukpa in Benue as well as Lafia Obi in Nasarawa State.

The newsletter stated that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Maiturare, who expressed delight at the research finding, sought to know the implications of coal conversion for general usage.

Maiturare was quoted as saying that ‘‘other departments should emulate the Department of Geology by carrying out researches that will be beneficial to the university and the nation at large.’’ (NAN)
MNO/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dyo Komolafe