Author: Isah Mukhtar

ABU wins Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate championship

NAN-S-7
Basketball (Wrap up)
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2017 (NAN) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU) rose above all to become champions in the 2^nd edition of the Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate Basketball Championship held from Jan. 14  to Jan. 21.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight tertiary institutions participated in the tournament held at the University of Lagos.

The competition which the organisers described as the “2016 edition’’ due to their inability to hold it last year, will go down as an event which gives youths the opportunity to showcase their capabilities.

To emerge the overall winner, ABU defeated the College of Education Minna, 88-79 in a very competitive and entertaining game.

The final game was dubbed `The Epic final` as fans were encapsulated in the showdown between the two teams.

The Minna college had a very impressive performance, setting championship record by beating every team with over 100 scores line, while ABU prided themselves as the best university basketball team in Africa.

ABU`s Coach, Emmanuel Shibi, had earlier said that the team would clinch the championship.

“It has been a tradition, basketball in African universities belong to ABU.

“When we go to the Africa University Games or NUGA games we always come back with a title or worthy medal to show for it,’’ Shibi said.

Following the victory, Shibi said the team proved themselves as worthy ambassadors of the institution.

“I am so happy with my players, they once again gave the institution the glory it deserved as the best institution in basketball,” Shibi said.

In expressing his disappointment over the loss, Ishiaka Yahaya the COE Minna`s coach said, “our goal was to win the trophy. From the results of all games, we played to the finals; you can tell that we came to win the trophy.

“But it is sad that we could not win for the second time. I guess it is how God wants it.

“We thank God that we made it to the finals. Not everyone makes it to the finals of such tournament; we are coming back stronger in next edition.

“Above all we thank Olumide Oyedeji for giving the youths this platform to exhibit their skills and play competitive basketball.”

NAN reports that other schools that participated in the competition are Federal University of Technology Minna; host school, University of Lagos; and Yaba College of Technology.

Others are Obafemi Awolowo University Ife [OAU], the Lead City University Ibadan and the North America University Houdegbe, Benin Republic.

The University of Lagos emerged third after defeating OAU.

NAN also reports that the 2017 edition is scheduled to hold in November. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/MZA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-4

Housing

By Peter Okolie

Onitsha (Anambra), Jan. 23, 2017 (NAN) Mr Frank Offor, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Anambra, on Monday restated the state government’s commitment to provide affordable housing for civil servants in the state.

Offor expressed the commitment in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha on Monday.

He said that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors for the construction of eight housing estates across the state.

The commissioner further disclosed that the state government had signed MoU with Cotabs Engineering Ltd. for the construction of housing units across the three senatorial zones of the state, valued at N57.4billion.

Offor said that EFABS Property Ltd was expected to construct 1,000 housing units at Amansea near Awka for the middle and high class, valued at N26.4 billion.

“The state government also contracted Dozzy Investments Ltd. to build another 1, 000 housing units in Awka at the cost of N12.4 billion.
“We have Aldove Ltd. which signed a contract for N2.3 billion 300 housing units at GRA, Onitsha.
‘’Lake Petroleum is already constructing 300 units at GRA Onitsha at the cost of N2.3 billion.

“Government is also financing Affordable Building Concept to build 10, 000 low cost and middle class housing units for civil servants at the cost of N119.7 billion,” he said.

However, Offor said that the recession was delaying the projects as well as other infrastructure development projects embarked upon by Gov. Willie Obiano.

“The challenge we had was that, at the time some of these investors were about to commence work was when the country started having the dollar issue which has continued till date.

According to him, the foreign exchange and the current economic recession are delaying the delivery of 20,000 housing units in the state.

‘’We are hoping that as soon as dollar issue is stabilised, work will resume fully on the sites.”

The commissioner, however, said that the state government and Federal Mortgage Bank were collaborating to ensure the completion of housing schemes meant for civil servants in the state.

“The state government decided to involve the Federal Mortgage Bank to finance the civil servant housing projects, because of the economic recession.

“By this arrangement, it won’t take time for the projects to be delivered.

‘’The state government and the bank are in the process, as soon as funds are released work will begin on sites.”
The commissioner said that Obiano was passionate about meeting the housing needs of workers. (NAN)
OPC/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed

Community leaders urge govt. to clear Lagos, Ogun creeks to curb kidnappings
NAN-H-32
Militants
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Jan. 22, 2017 (NAN) Some community leaders of Isawo in Ikorodu area of Lagos have urged government to clear the creeks, saying that this would check kidnappings and other violent crimes in the area.
The residents of the creeks, bordering Lagos and Ogun States, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that criminals were using the areas as hideouts and operational bases.
Two suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of eight students and staff at Nigerian-Turkish International College in Ogun confessed to using the Mawere creeks for their operations.
According to Chief Musediku Ibrahim-Ayinla, the Baale of Oke-Oko Isawo near Ikorodu, many of the kidnappers operating in Lagos and Ogun were hiding in Mawere creeks.
“They were involved in NNPC pipeline vandalism before the military forced them out of Isawo in Ikorodu.
“Since they do not have access to pipelines any longer, they resorted to kidnapping people and moved to Mawere creeks in Ogun; from that creek, they can operate anywhere.
“The main threat to Lagos State and Ogun is Mawere creeks; that is where the militants are hiding now.
“And if government want to check kidnappings and robberies, all the creeks in the area should be cleared,” the community leader told NAN.
He commended the joint military task force for flushing out militants from Isawo area of Ikorodu, noting that there had been no sporadic gunshot since the military kept vigil of the area.
He also urged the Lagos State Government to fulfil its promise to construct a new road to link Isawo with Lagos – Ibadan Expressway to open up and bring development to the area.
Also, a community leader in Mawere, Oke-Oko in Ogun, Chief Taiwo Adisa, corroborated Ibrahim-Ayinla’s position, urging government to clear the creeks harbouring criminals in the area.
The chairman of commercial motorcycle operators in Isawo, Mr Fatai Azeez, said violent crimes had reduced drastically in the areas cleared by the Lagos State Government last year.
“One thing the government must do to ensure safety of Ikorodu area is to clear all the creeks housing the militants.
“There is no more pipeline vandalism in the area that was cleared last year; more areas need to be cleared,”Azeez said.
NAN reports that more than 50 people lost lives during clashes between the militants and residents of Isawo near Ikorodu last year, leading to the deployment of troops to the area.
NAN also reports that some parts of the creeks leading to Arepo in Ogun, notorious for pipeline vandalism, were cleared by the state government last year. (NAN)
MIO/WOJ
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(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)
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Kaduna NUJ deregisters Shiite-owned Al-Mizan newspaper
NAN-H-73
Newspaper
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Jan. 20, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, says it has de-registered Shite sect-owned Al-Mizan Newspaper with immediate effect.
The NUJ announced the decision in a statement signed by the State Secretary of the union, Dauda Idris-Doka, in Zaria on Friday.
It said: “The decision was taken after the Executive Council Meeting held on Dec. 29, 2016 where it was discovered that Al-Mizan was registered in error.
“It will be recalled that the union has over the years distanced itself from any religious organisation been registered as its member “.
The NUJ noted that as Fourth Estate of the realm, its role was to protect all, irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation.
“In the past, we have refused to register similar religious organisations and their media, such as, The Cross Newspapers, The Awake and The Redeem News, among many others.
“In view of this development, Al-Mizan ceases to be recognised as a chapel in the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, “the union said.
NAN reports that both Al-Mizan Newspapers and Pointer Express (English version of Al-Mizan), belonged to Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shiite sect, whose leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is in detention.
NAN also recalls that the Kaduna State Government had in Dec. 2016 proscribed IMN and later banned all forms of procession, describing it as unlawful assembly.. (NAN)
KLM/KOLE/WOJ
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-HG-13
Health
By Muhammed Baba Busu
Lafia, Jan. 20, 2017 (NAN) Nasarawa State Government says it will upgrade primary health care facilities in rural communities across the state in its bid to fight malaria and other healthcare challenges.

The Governor of the state, Alhaji Tanko Almakura, made the promise while playing host to a team from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in his office in Lafia on Friday.

The governor was represented by his Deputy, Mr Silas Agara.

Almakura further expressed his administration’s commitment to partner the agency to provide quality and affordable health care services for the residents of the state.

He said: “Malaria has accounted for the high infant mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, and that is why the government is investing huge resources in its health sector.

“We are particularly concerned about the control of malaria and other tropical diseases affecting the health of the people.

“The state government is committed to give the fight against malaria a boost.

“Therefore, we will upgrade primary health care facilities in rural areas across the state because their dilapidation has been responsible for deaths in the past,’’ the governor said.

He commended USAID for its intervention so far in the health sector of the state, especially through the provision of insecticide treated mosquito nets.

He solicited for more assistance from foreign donor agencies to update the state’s health personnel data and provide necessary advocacy to equip the personnel for effective performance.

Earlier, the leader of the USAID delegation, Dr Uwen Nyang, said the agency was committed to partnering the state government on malaria control.

Nyang said: “Nasarawa State remains very strategic to the agency in the malaria control effort.

It is, therefore, the willingness of the agency to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government to end the scourge.

“We know that the state is strategic because of its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Many civil servants from Abuja are accommodated here, so we will partner with the state to ensure that people get quality and affordable health care services.’’ (NAN)
BAB/COF/DUA
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Dada Ahmed

NAN-H-29
Lecturers
Lokoja, Jan. 20, 2017 (NAN) Retired Justice Fred Apata on Friday appealed to Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to pay salaries of lecturers of the state university in the interest of education development.

Apata, who retired from the Federal High Court, made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, shortly after ‎delivering a lecture on “Basic Needs of Education in Nigeria’’.

The annual lecture was organised in Lokoja by the National Association of Okun Students. Okun is in the Kogi West Senatorial District.

Apata said that numerous strikes in the Kogi educational system had rendered students of tertiary institutions in the state redundant.

He urged the governor to address incessant strikes in Kogi State University, saying that they had made the students to lag behind their peers in other universities.

Apata advised Bello to give lecturers’ welfare a priority attention because of the rigorous nature of lecturing.

The retired judge also appealed to the lecturers to resolve issues with the state government without resorting to strikes.

He said that students rather than governments suffered from lecturers’ strikes.

Apata urged the lecturers to call off their one week warning strike which began on Thursday, adding that they should dialogue with the government.

NAN reports that the warning strike is to protest non-payment of salaries. (NAN)

WAL/FLP/IGO
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN–H–120

Workers

Lokoja, Jan. 19, 2017 ( NAN) Permanent secretaries and directors will be made to answer for the billions of naira spent  on 8, 879 ghost workers recently uncovered in the payroll of Kogi, the government has said.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Petra Akinti-Onyegbule, in Lokoja on Wednesday, the government said the ghost workers collected over N16 billion as salary and allowances in 13 years.

Akinti-Onyegbule said that the ghost workers were discovered  by a staff screening and verification committee set up by the state government.

“ For this figure, permanent secretaries, directors of local government and treasurers and other key senior personnel will be made to answer for the funds expended on them over the years,”’ she said.

Akinti-Onyegbule said 43,522 workers passed the screening  while 32,753 others were not cleared.

“ That a worker is uncleared is not the same as having been declared a ghost worker. Ghost workers are those without a face but whose names were used over the years to siphon funds.

“ For people who have been placed on the uncleared list, all they need to do is prove they deserve to be cleared.

“ We have a few cases of omission of names. Uncleared workers and those omitted will be given one last chance of clearing their status. The schedule of appearance will be announced between now and Jan. 23,” she said.

Akinti-Onyegbule said the exercise was not mere screening but aimed at the total overhaul of the civil service system with a view to putting it in good stead for quality service delivery.

She admitted that the exercise caused some pains to workers but added that they would be its greatest beneficiaries.

The spokesperson said although the exercise had made the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello unpopular to some extent the government was happy doing the right thing for the system.

“ A good leader is not one who should necessarily be loved while he is working.

‘’A good leader is one who is not afraid to take tough decisions for the ultimate good of his people.

‘’A good leader is one who moves when he should even if it means stepping on toes in the process, “ she explained.

The staff verification has placed the government at loggerheads with workers.

In spite of workers’ opposition, the government insists on implementing the recommendations of the committee which carried out the assignment to sanitise the service.

The government accuses those involved in the payment of salaries to ghost workers of using public resources to enrich themselves to the detriment of the youth. (NAN)

KKA/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NSC urges Maerskline to route Benin Republic cargoes through Nigerian ports
NAN-HE-12
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 19, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged Maerskline Nigeria Ltd. to route cargoes meant for Benin Republic through Nigerian ports to make Nigeria maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, made the plea when officials of
Maerskline visited the council’s headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.
Bello said that routing Benin Republic cargoes through Nigerian ports would improve relationship and reduce cost of doing business between both countries.
He pleaded for continuous collaboration between the NSC and the management of the shipping companies to make Nigerian ports more efficient and effective.
Bello commended Maerskline for its immense contributions to the development of the Nigerian ports, adding that more was still expected from the shipping company.
He identified instability of cargo dwell time and lack of transparency in the port operations as some of the challenges facing the Nigerian ports.
He then called for more dialogue and collaboration in addressing these challenges.
“Nigerian Shippers’ Council, being the Port Economic Regulator, is primarily concerned with effective operations of stakeholders in the country.
“NSC has settled a lot of disputes between operators and their customers and that is why I am advising operators not to take shipping cases to court.
“The council has settled a lot disputes through dialogue which provided win-win situation for the aggrieved parties,“ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Bello as saying.
Bello also called for stronger strategic partnership with Maerskline for the Kaduna Dry Port to have access to cargoes.
He said that the Kaduna Dry Port, which had been designated as port of origin and port of destination, was expected to begin operation soon.
He expressed optimism that the dry port, if fully operational, would boost the economy of the host state, decongest the ports and bring port services to their door steps.
The Managing Director, Maerskline Ltd., Mr Gildas Tohouo, expressed his readiness to support the council to achieve its objectives of making Nigerian ports “user friendly“.
Tohouo maintained that there should be give and take in port operations which would favour government in the long run by improving its revenue.
According to him, Maeskline subscribed to the dialogue being suggested by the council to create sustainable platform.
“As we just entered the New Year, the council should engage stakeholders from time to time, which will assist the growth of the maritime industry.
“The platform will involve sitting together to dialogue on the challenges to move the industry forward,“ Tohouo told NAN.
He called for information sharing among the operators and users to assist in bringing business to the dry port. (NAN)
AIC/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-S-18
Taekwondo
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 19, 2017 (NAN) The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and SBS Sports have extended their South Korean broadcasting partnership to 2020, WTF President, Chungwon Choue announced on Thursday.

According to an online portal, Insidethgames, the deal will extend the existing relationship between the sport’s governing body and SBS, a terrestrial broadcasting channel.

It said that the previous deal which was from 2015 to 2016 has been extended for another four years.

The publication said that Choue, who signed the deal with SBS Sports chief executive, Gyehong Kim, in Seoul, was pleased with the prospect of working with the broadcaster.

“Some 400 million TV viewers in 17 nations watched Olympic Taekwondo at Rio in 2016, which suggests a massive global appetite for televised taekwondo.

It is up to us in the WTF to deliver a better taekwondo event in the coming years.

“This is in terms of fairness, transparency, dazzle and excitement for the cameras of SBS Sports and our host broadcasters,’’ it quoted Choue as saying.

It said that under the agreement, SBS Sports would film and broadcast the WTF’s Grand Prix series, World Championships and World Team Championships to viewers across South Korea.

The portal added that the first event to be covered under the contract would be the Grand Prix Series 1 event in 2017, while the World Team Championships in 2020 is expected to be the last event.

It recalled that the SBS Sports worked on the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic taekwondo and archery competitions, with the WTF praising their credentials. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-5
AFCON
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 19, 2017 (NAN) Some football match viewing centres in Lagos have lamented the absence of Nigeria at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, saying they have poor patronage.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the centres on Wednesday, reports that the soccer fans, who usually watched Nigeria play in international matches were absent.

NAN reports that the country failed to qualify for the biggest football fiesta in the continent and were also absent at the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea.

Samuel Eyitayo, a viewing centre owner in Igando, told NAN that the number of viewers who turned up to watch the AFCON matches was discouraging.

“Some people are not interested in the Nations Cup mainly because Nigeria is not part of the tournament and this is not too good for my business.

“Since the competition started on Jan. 14, the number of viewers who show up for matches is nothing to write home about,’’ he said.

Also, Emmanuel Chigozie, another operator in Ikotun area of Lagos, said that most viewers had shown little interest in watching the tournament due to the nation’s absence.

“The last time Nigeria participated in the AFCON and won it, that was in 2013, I know how much I made.

“Football lovers hardly come around to watch matches, only few foreigners show up to watch their teams play,’’ he said.

In the same vein, Alabi Afeez, who runs a viewing centre in Ajegunle area of the state, said that it was demoralising that the country failed to participate in the competition for the second consecutive time.

Afeez said he would have made brisk sales if the country was part of the tournament but noted that the reverse was the case.

“At least our participation in the Nations Cup would have doubled my sales this period.

“I only make money from viewers who watch the English Premier League matches and other foreign leagues.

“We need to redeem our football otherwise I will not be surprised if we don’t qualify for the next edition,’’ he said.

Algeria and Tunisia will be locking horns by 5 p.m. on Thursday, while Senegal and Zimbabwe will engage each other by 8 p.m.

The competition is slated to end on February 5. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)