Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-47
Security

Kogi security: CAN, Ulamau ask security agencies to purge themselves of bad eggs

Lokoja, Feb. 16, 2017 ( NAN) The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Council of Muslim Ulamau in Kogi have advised police and other security agencies to purge their rank and file of bad eggs.

They said the advise was necessary to arrest to the worsening security situation in Kogi State.

These bodies made the call on Thursday in Lokoja in a communique issued at the end of their emergency meeting.

The communique was signed by the state Chairman of CAN, Rev. John Ibenu, and the state Chairman of Council of Ulamau, Sheikh Salman Adam.

According to the communique, there is now a palpable public loss of confidence in security agencies in the state, hence the need for them to fish and flush out criminal elements among them.

The groups urged Muslims and Christians in the state to be more vigilant in view of recent pronouncement by the Federal Government that a group called Islamic Brotherhood, an affiliate of Boko haram, was planning to cause terror in some states, including Kogi.

They also urged the leaders of both religions to embark on the sensitization of their followers on the need to be more security conscious and report any unusual movement to security agencies.

The groups sympathised with the government and people over the increasing cases of kidnapping, robbery and ritual killings in the state and advised the state government to respond appropriately.

“We call on Kogi State Government to enact relevant laws that will check the menace of these criminals in the state, “ the communique said.

They also called the attention of government to incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Krupa community of Lokoja Local Government and advised government to forestall its spread to the neighbouring communities.

The groups advised Christian and Muslim leaders in the state to refrain from making hate and inciteful statements and raising false alarm.

They called on Christians and Muslims to intensify prayers for the state and Nigeria in general. ( NAN)
KKA/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-S-10
Race
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) A Sports consultant, Izuchukwu Udegbunam, on Thursday urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports and corporate bodies to enhance the development of long distance races by investing in it.

Udegbunam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that such investments would help to research into and discover ways of grooming athletes in long distance races.

He noted that Nigerians could also gain prominence like the Kenyans and Ethiopians through the sport if given adequate attention.

“We have budding talents in the country who are ready to participate in long distance races but we are not doing what is expected of us as a country.

“In 2013, I took some Nigerian marathoners to China to compete in 10km Zhunhai International Marathon and Olumudi Aderonke won gold in that tournament where Kenyans also competed.

“China organises Marathon every week just to promote the sport and develop their athletes and if we can do the same it will be a plus for Nigeria,’’ he said.

Udegbunam, who is also the founder of Poshon Global Sports Ltd., added that a thorough research on long distance races would help to discover the necessary steps needed to enhance the sport.

“Nothing stops us from doing research on how the Kenyans and Ethiopians are topping long distance races over the years and still remains relevant today.

“We have brilliant people who can carry out this research in the country,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

Olympic medallist urges election of credible people into sports federations

NAN-S-2
Athletics
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) An Olympic gold medalist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, on Thursday advised stakeholders in athletics to elect credible and visionary individuals into the various sports federations in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that interested candidates are already strategizing ahead of the elections which hold after every Olympic year.

The Rio Olympics took place in 2016.

NAN reports that the Sports Ministry is yet to release a time table for the elections.

Udo-Obong, who won gold medal in 4 X 400m relay race at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, said it was important to have people with vision at the helm of the nation’s sport.

“We should elect candidates with good vision and blueprint that will help to develop the sport,’’ Udo-Obong said.

He noted that there had been some improvements in the country’s sports in the last eight years.

“We have seen some strides in sports despite criticisms that we failed to win medals in the last two Olympics.

“In the development of young athletes, there is huge progress and I believe that is a good thing,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/WOJ
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN -H -138

Funding

Lokoja, Feb. 15, 2017 (NAN) Hajia Habibat Adeiza, the outgoing Registrar, Federal University, Lokoja, has appealed to the Federal Government to make more funds to tertiary institutions to further guarantee quality teaching and learning.

Adeiza made the appeal on Wednesday in Lokoja during a send forth for her by the university’s branch of Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA).

She identified inadequate funding asthe major problem confronting tertiary schools in the country.

According to her, the suggestion if accepted, will also put the tertiary institutions in a position to train future leaders sound in character and learning.

She noted that inadequate funding had also prevented the institutions concerned from carrying out their core mandate of producing quality manpower.

“We will keep on appealing to government to do more for tertiary institutions in the area of funding.

‘’This is so, especially the set of new universities that are in the phase of development, “she said.

The outgoing registrar also urged her successor, Mr Suleiman Obansa, to be hard working, dedicated and focused in the discharge of his duties.

Adeiza also advised students of the institution to take their studies very serious and refrain from actions capable of derailing the steady growth of the university.

The branch Chairman of ANUPA, Mr Vincent Ojo, commended Adeiza for her service to the university which include laying a good foundation for its future development as the pioneer registrar.

He also thanked Adeiza for her support to the association, saying that 44 members of the association were sponsored to various trainings with her the support.

Ojo called on the incoming Registrar to emulate the good works of Adeiza and guide against taken decisions on sentiments. (NAN)
KKA/DUA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed

Pensioners in Cross River protest non-payment of 4 years` gratuities

NAN-H-17
Pensioners
By George Odok
Calabar, Feb. 15, 2017 (NAN) Pensioners, who retired from the Cross River Civil Service from 2012 to 2016, on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their gratuities.

The protesters were carrying different placards like: ‘Gratuity is our right, not a privilege;’ ‘give us our right while we are alive;’ ‘Labour stop fighting retires over gratuities;’ ‘Our children and wards are out of schools’ among others.
Coordinator of the retirees, Mr Paul Idagu, 60, who retired from the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation in 2013, told newsmen during the protest that life after service without money has not been easy.
“Four years after I retired from the service, life has not been easy.
‘‘I find it very difficult to pay my children`s school fees and other relatives who are depending on me.
“About two weeks ago, I heard of two people who died while battling with different illness.
‘‘It is so unfortunate that the government is not responsive in looking into the plight of retirees,’’ he said.
Another retiree, Mr Paul Ogbeche, who retired in December, 2013, accused the state government of not responding to the plight of retirees in the state.
“We have written to the state government, advising it to be setting aside some money received from the federal allocation for the payment of pension and gratuities in the state, but to no avail.
“We were told that so much money has been kept in a bank for the payment of gratuities; but we have not seen that money.
‘‘Are they waiting for us to die before they begin payment?
“We have worked for 35 years. We deserve this money. The state government should give us this money because it is our right and not a privilege,’’ he said.
Mrs Theresa Okoi, who retired in 2012, said she had withdrawn her children from tertiary institutions.
She said she had directed them to go and learn some trades/skills because she could no longer pay their fees.
“It is unfortunate that after working for 35 years, we have to beg for our monies to be paid. I have withdrawn my children from the higher institutions because I was no longer capable of paying their fees’’, she said.
Mr Asuquo Ekpenyong, the state Commissioner for Finance, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the state government was looking into the matter, with a view to settling the retirees.
“We are processing the payment of their outstanding gratuities. We are looking at the possibilities of settling them accordingly.
“We all understand the current economic situation in the country; this is not an issue that is peculiar to Cross River alone.
‘‘We are looking at ways at settling them (pensioners),’’ he said. (NAN)
GNO/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
 

NAN-ELS-1
MTV
By Nkiru Ifeajuna
Lagos, Feb. 15, 2017 (NAN) The Music Television (MTV) Base, on Wednesday, released hand-picked list of artistes across the African continent, who are expected to make it big in the music scene in 2017.

This disclosure is contained in a release made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos and signed by Anita Ayidu, Public Relations Officer of Black House Media (BHM).

Monde Twala, the Vice President of BET, Youth and Music, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said that it was the annual list of artistes, who could hopefully make a positive impact.

“They are the “ones to watch” and it is our belief that they will do great things this 2017 year.

“It is awesome how the artistes on the 2016 list performed, how much the support we provided has helped the artistes build their careers both locally and internationally,’’ he said.

Twala noted that the list was compiled by the MTV Base music and talent experts from across the continent.

“They are the list of 55 established and up-and-coming artistes based on the channels assessment of various artistes.

“Their current and future potential include, sales performances, popularity buzz, radio and video airplay, style and other intangible factors,’’ he said.

The vice president, however, said that MTV Base would support the “ones to watch’’ artistes as much as possible throughout 2017.

“We will do this through building their profiles via on air and online exposure, play-listing their repertoire, supporting key video releases and involving them in MTV Base events and gigs,” he said.

NAN reports that MTV Base on DSTV channel 322, plays its picked list of the “ones to watch for 2017’’.

The hand-picked selection of artistes expected to make it big on the music scene in the 2017 MTV Base;

“Ones to Watch” 2017 are: Edmasia-Angola; Nero Americano-Angola; Locko-Cameroon; Minks-Cameroon; Ezi Emela-England/Nigeria;

Others are: Hiro-France/DRC; Boboh-Ghana; Capasta-Ghana; Eugy-Ghana, Teephlow-Ghana; Triggmatic-Ghana; Wondaboy-Ghana; Band BeCa-Kenya and Everlast-Kenya.

The list includes, Kalighaph Jones-Kenya; Timmy Dat-Kenya; Videz and Shiv-Kenya; Willy Paul-Kenya and Filomena Maricoa.

It includes: Mozambique; LayLizzy-Mozambique; Dremo-Nigeria; Grey C-Nigeria; Jilex Anderson-Nigeria; Lola Rae-Nigeria; Mayorkun-Nigeria; Mr Easi-Nigeria, Ric Hassani-Nigeria, Terry Apala-Nigeria; Wale Turner-Nigeria.

Also considered are, Wurld-Nigeria/USA; Amanda Black-SA; A Reece-SA; Bhizer-SA; Distruction Boyz-SA; Dj Fortee-SA; Dj Mdix-SA; Easy freak-SA; Frank casino-SA; Gemini Major-SA; King Monada-SA; Kly-SA and Nadia Nakai-SA.

Others are: Sjava-SA; Tellaman-SA; Tshego-SA; Yung Swiss-SA; Apple Gule-Swaziland/SA; Ben Pol-Tanzania, Billnas-Tanzania, Harmonize-Tanzania; Rayvann-Tanazania; Ruby-Tanzania; Ceaserous-Uganda; Lydia Jasmine-Uganda; Ykee Benda-Uganda. (NAN)
NCI/ERO/YEMI
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN–H–106

Students

Lokoja, Feb. 14, 2017 (NAN) Tired of staying at home following a prolonged lecturers’ strike, students in Kogi higher institutions have urged government to resolve its dispute with the lecturers so that classes would resume.

The students, who made the appeal in a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, regretted that the dispute had been allowed to drag for too long “at the expense of our studies”.

Their spokesman, Mr Chris Audam, of the Joint Campus Committee, said that he and his colleagues were anxious to go back to school, and appealed to the two parties to reach a compromise.

He dissociated students in the state-owned tertiary institutions from any protest against the state and federal governments, and declared that the students would not join forces with any group to cause trouble.

Audam advised politicians to steer clear of campuses, and warned that the committee would resist any attempt to incite students into any protest.

“We have evaluated the possibility of such protest being hijacked and considered it unacceptable. We do not believe that a public protest in Kogi State at this time is a wise venture.

“We, therefore, urge students to kick against any form of protest,” he said.

He, however, stressed the need for government and other stakeholders to rescue the education sector from total collapse, and expressed confidence in the ability Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to tackle issues confronting Kogi. (NAN)
KKA/ETS

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By Ephraims Sheyin

NAN-H-25
Buhari
By Ismaila Chafe
Abuja, Feb. 14, 2017 (NAN)  A presidential aide, Malam Garba Shehu, has asked Nigerians to be ready to see President Muhammadu Buhari return from his medical vacation in London to the country anytime soon.

Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, made the statement in an interview with Channels Television in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the president was no longer “enjoying his stay’’ outside the country.

“As a matter of fact, we should be getting ready to see the president flesh and blood and that will be as soon as possible.

“The president (himself) is looking forward to being home to be with his people.

“I don’t think he is enjoying any longer an extended vacation outside the country,’’ Shehu said.

Commenting on the president’s telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, the spokesman said it was “undiplomatic’’ for anyone to demand for the release of the audio recording of the conversation.

According to him, releasing an audio containing the telephone conversation between two presidents is highly unethical and against modern civilisation.

“No, I don’t think so; I don’t think it is permitted in international diplomacy. I think if we had recorded Mr Trump in this conversation it would have offended our diplomatic relations.

“I think the Americans themselves would not have recorded this conversation of president to president,’’ he said.

On the president’s medical test results being expected from doctors, Shehu  said he had no information on whether the president had collected the results or not.

“No, we have no information on that (test results). If he had received them, he would have been on the plane back home.’’

Shehu said there was not enough time for the two presidents to discuss other continental and international issues.

He, however, expressed optimism that the conversation would boost bilateral relations between Nigeria and the U.S.

“Well, there wasn’t enough time to talk about everything. I think the point at what will follow is in the invitation that President Trump has extended to our president (Buhari) to come over.

“That is the kind of opportunity that was presented to Nigeria to put all the issues on the desk.

“As for their immigration policy, I think our president has been clear about one thing – the choices made by the Americans as to who to lead them, in this case, Mr Trump, is entirely their own choice.

“We have no business interfering with their domestic affairs.

“As to the countries that have been barred, it has been clearly specified and Nigeria did not feature in the list,’’ he added.

Buhari  proceeded on medical vacation on Jan. 19 and wrote to the Senate that Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo would act in his absence.

His absence which has stretched beyond the initial 10-day request has generated speculations about his health condition in spite of the fact that he wrote the Senate again  on Feb. 5 for an extension of the leave period.

On Monday, Buhari spoke with Trump by telephone at the request of the American president.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina,  said in a statement that the two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

He said Trump assured Buhari of the U.S Government’s readiness to enter a new deal in helping Nigeria in the supply of weapons to combat terrorism.

“Trump also invited Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date,’’ Adesina said. .(NAN)
SYC/MO/JCE
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Edited by Morayo Omolade/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-S-2
Fans
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Feb. 11, 2017 (NAN) Sports enthusiasts on Saturday commended the organisers of the 2^nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon for the live telecast of the race on a giant monitor at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a lot of spectators who came to watch the marathoners at the starting point trooped into the stadium to watch the event live on a giant viewing screen.

Bola Adewunmi, a student told NAN that it was a good initiative by the organisers.

“This is a good thing, the crowd here is huge and I think it has added spice to the Marathon unlike last year.

“I hope they will keep up the good work and continue the competition,’’ he said.

A businessman, Fidelis lfeanyi, said that many people who could not return to their home to watch the race because of the road blocks benefited from live telecast on a giant monitor.

“I live in Anthony, but I came to the stadium to watch the participants at the starting point and I cannot go back home now.

“A whole lot of people are also here watching the race and the atmosphere is bright and people are also excited watching it live,’’ he said.

Also, Adesuwa Odion, a student, said the number of viewers at the stadium showed that Nigerians were now embracing long distance races.

“I am overwhelmed by the large turnout of people watching this race live inside Teslim Balogu Stadium and this only means Nigerians are having interest in Marathon.

“It is only football that can pull this crowd but all the seats here are occupied and people are standing,’’ he said.

NAN reports that free face-caps and T-shirts were given to viewers who took parts in the dance, question and answer competitions at the viewing centre. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-HE-12
Revenue

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Feb.10, 2017(NAN) The Tin-Can Island Port 2 Customs Command on Friday said that it generated N834.6million in January.

Mr Godwin Andishu, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the command, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the figure was N274.9 million higher than the N559.7milion generated December 2016.

Andishu attributed the rise in the revenue effort of the command to increase in port activities in January, after a Yuletide lull in the preceding month.

“The command is committed to improving further its revenue generation this year.

‘’The Controller, Alhaji Abdulkadir Dalhatu, has put in place measures to ensure that we achieve our revenue target.

“These include blockage of revenue loopholes, training and retraining of officers, deployment of ICT tools at the command and engagement of the stakeholders on how best they could be served.

“By the time the results fully manifest, we will be talking of a command that is full of activities and generating more revenue,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the command had earlier announced a revenue figure of N8.1billion for 2016, with May recording the highest N1.5billion, being the highest for that year. (NAN)
BHB/FLP/DUA

Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dada Ahmed