Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-66

VGN

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

Ilorin, Jan. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has urged the National Assembly to ensure a quick passage of the bill for the statutory establishment of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

Sulu-Gambari made this appeal when he received the delegation of the VGN, that paid him a courtesy visit in his palace on Tuesday.

The Emir noted that the security challenges confronting Nigeria required that all hands must be on deck.

He said the VGN bill was necessary to assist other security agencies, particularly the police, in the task of community policing.

The traditional ruler therefore implored the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki and other lawmakers to ensure the quick passage of the bill.

He recalled that the VGN in the state had been very effective in dealing with the issues of hooliganism and public disturbance by some youths in different parts of Ilorin emirate.

In his address, the Commander General of VGN, Prof. Jimoh Aliu, said the group had performed credibly in securing lives and property of people, especially in the North East region of the country.

Aliu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ali Sokoto, noted that similar organisations that registered as voluntary groups like the VGN, registered since 1983, had been considered.

“In view of this development, I seek the assistance and support of your highness for the statutory establishment of the VGN, as one of the paramilitary organisations in the country by the Federal Government,” he said.

Aliu assured the people of Kwara of the commitment of all VGN members to the security of lives and property in the state. (NAN)
AGF/HAS/YEMI

Edited By Hajia Sani/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Four Gambian Ministers resign from Jammeh’s government

NAN-F-17

Ministers
Banjul, Jan. 17, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Gambia’s Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Environment have resigned from President Yahya Jammeh’s government, according to report on Tuesday.

They all resigned as regional forces prepare to oust the veteran leader unless he steps down by Thursday.

Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, has become increasingly isolated at home and abroad after he refused to accept his Dec. 1 defeat to opposition leader Adama Barrow.

The surprise loss was seen as a boost to democracy in the former British colony, which has had only two presidents since it gained independence in 1965.

But Jammeh’s defiance has sent the tiny West African country into crisis, causing government defections and opening up the prospect of military intervention by other countries in the region.

A senior Nigerian military source said Nigeria and other West African nations were prepared to intervene militarily to remove him if he remains in office after Wednesday, when his presidential mandate runs out.

“The chiefs of defence staff of West African countries met on Monday to discuss strategies on the best way to get Yahya Jammeh out if he refuses to hand over power,’’ said the Nigerian source, who declined to be identified.

“Some West African countries will be contributing troops, including Nigeria, for the operation,’’ said the source, adding that the United Nations and African Union had offered support to regional body ECOWAS for the plan.

According to Gambian state television on late Monday, Finance Minister Abdou Kolley was being replaced.

Ministry sources said other government leaders including Foreign Minister Neneh Macdouall-Gaye had left the government and the country.

Their departures follow the resignation of communications minister Sheriff Bojang last week.

The mayor of the capital Banjul has also resigned, according to sources at the city council. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Abigael Joshua/Julius Enehikhuere)

1. Korean plan to put sex slave statue on disputed island riles

NAN-F-16

Slave
Tokyo, Jan. 17, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Japan has lodged a protest with Seoul about South Korean lawmakers’ plan to erect a statue depicting victims of wartime sexual slavery the government said on Tuesday.

The move was “extremely regrettable, we immediately lodged a strong protest with South Korea,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

A group of South Korean lawmakers announced the plan to erect the statue on the islet, contested by the two countries Japan and the Korean Peninsula which is part of a disputed chain called Dokdo by South Koreans, but Takeshima by Tokyo.

The plan was “unacceptable,’’ Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. “In the first place, Japan’s position is that Takeshima is our inherent territory, both under international law and historically.’’

Kishida’s remarks prompted South Korea to urge Japan to “stop making such useless claims.’’

“It is deplorable that Japan makes these claims,” South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Cho June Hyuck said.

Earlier this month, Japan recalled its ambassador to South Korea in response to the installation of a “comfort women’’ statue outside the Japanese consulate in the port city of Busan by South Korean activists in late December.

Up to 200,000 women and girls were coerced into sexual slavery to serve the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II, historians say.

Many of them were from South Korea, which was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Abigael Joshua/Julius Enehikhuere)

Gambia judge declines to rule on president’s election challenge

NAN-F-14

Election

Banjul, Jan. 17, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Gambia’s Supreme Court has declined ruling on President Yahya Jammeh’s petition to overturn his election defeat, the report said on Tuesday.

It said that many Gambians wait nervously to see how the veteran leader will react to his rival’s planned inauguration this week.

Jammeh initially conceded defeat to opposition leader Adama Barrow following the Dec. 1 poll and later changed his mind, drawing widespread condemnation and the threat of a military intervention by regional neighbours.

Whether Gambia succeeds in swearing in Barrow is viewed as a test for democracy in West Africa, a region which is seeking to draw a line under a history of coups and autocratic rule.

The Supreme Court has not sat for over a year and the entire judge’s seats bar that of the chief justice are unoccupied.

Jammeh has hired judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear the petitions, but they have failed to arrive in Gambia.

“It is crystal clear that the justices from Nigeria and Serra Leone are not coming,” the court’s Nigerian Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle said.

The chief justice said the court would be adjourned until the next regular session in either May or November, but added that the petitions could be heard if the judges arrived sooner.

The court’s inability to convene only deepens the political crisis in Gambia. Allies of Jammeh said there could be no inauguration with petitions still pending before the court.

“In the interest of justice, the petition must be heard and determined before the inauguration can take place,” said Edward Gomez, a lawyer for Jammeh’s APRC political party, reacting to the adjournment. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-S-13
Cycling
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2017 (NAN) Worried by the dearth of competitions, Lawson Ojo, Captain of the Lagos State Cycling Association,  on Monday pleaded with the Nigeria Cycling Federation (NCF)  to hold competitions for cyclists to participate.

Ojo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the  body had not held major competitions in the previous year, hoping   that 2017 would be a better year for cycling.

“The NCF has to do something fast about this; we cannot continue to suffer in this alone.

“Many of my colleagues, who are very passionate about the sport, are now discouraged due to the  long absence in major cycling events.

“The facilities are not there for training and there are no competitions; many of us are tired after several years of individual training without competitions to test our abilities.

“I am certain of that because we have been communicating with each other in order to keep ourselves together on how we can go about our personal training to help develop ourselves,’’ he said.

He said that many cyclists in Lagos still train themselves irrespective of their non-participation in invitational tournaments.

“We expect the federation to encourage us by making extra effort to hold competitions at least to encourage us.

“Our interest is to have an enabling environment to practice freely with our mates from other states, socialise and collectively get inspired to build our career,” he said.  (NAN)
FOE/ENN/OJO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-S-11
Hockey
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2017, (NAN) Austin Balewa, Secretary, Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), on Monday said that availability of funds would determine the country’s participation in the 2017 Hockey Africa Nations Cup.

Balewa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the tournament would hold in South African in August, adding that the body would work to participate in the competition.

“We have a major Africa competition this year and we hope to be part of it when it holds later in the year.

“For that to be possible, we will need funds to prepare our team to ensure a good outing in South Africa.

“We participated in the last edition in 2015 and we hope paucity of funds will not hinder our participation this year,” he said.

On the federation’s proposed activities for 2017, the scribe said that the body had a lined up of programmes that would impact positively on the development of the sport.

He appealed to corporate organisations and individuals to complement the effort of the federation in moving the sport forward.

“The federation was able to implement some of its programmes last year but we hope this year will be better,” he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PAD
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu, Peter Dada)

NAN-S-8
Para-badminton
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos. Jan.16, 2017 (NAN) Samuel Ekeoma, President, Nigeria Para-Badminton Federation, on Monday said the body would intensify its effort to ensure that more physically challenged persons embraced the sport this year.

Ekeoma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that for now only 13 of Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital Territory had embraced para-badminton for the good of their physically challenged athletes.

He said that there was need for concerted efforts to spread it to the other states for it to gain the needed popularity in the country.

“Para-badminton is relatively new in Nigeria and our mission this year is to ensure that more physically challenged people participate in the sport.

“We will do everything possible to organise competitions this year to spread the sport and identity talent that could represent the country in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“The earlier we start the better for us because 2020 is just around the corner,’’ he said.

On plans to participate in international competitions which serve as prerequisite for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Ekeoma told NAN that availability of funds would ensure the country’s participation in such competitions.

He, however, appealed to the government and private bodies to support its athletes to participate in international competitions.

“At the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nigeria won 13 medals; but if Para-badminton is included, we can increase the country’s medals haul in 2020.

“The list and names of competitions that athletes are suppose to participate in to qualify for the Games are already out and I hope we will not miss any,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-‎21
Youths
Lokoja, Jan. 14, 2017(NAN) Some youths in Lokoja, Kogi on Saturday were at several beer parlours to celebrate the return of the controversial Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM)

The Ponzi scheme, banned in Russia where it originated, froze the accounts of three million Nigerian members in December causing panic and anxiety.

The scheme returned on Jan. 13, a day before its initial comeback date of Jan. 14.

Most of the revellers were students of the state-owned polytechnic in Lokoja.

They expressed surprise about the comeback of the pyramid money investment scheme that promises players 30 per cent return, a day ahead of schedule.

Segun Ademola, a student, said he had invested over N300, 000 in his MMM account.

He said that he was glad to have the operation bounce back, adding that he had a lot of high hopes that he would reap his investment.

“I am the happiest person on earth today, God bless Mavrodi,” he said.

Fola Owobo, another student, said that she used her school fees to provide help to some other person she did not know at all.

She said that she was confused when the scheme was shut down on Dec. 13, 2016, and expressed relief now that the MMM was back in operation.‎

Michael Olubola, another student said he had learnt a lesson.

He said as soon as he collected his money, he would ‎never provide help again through the scheme.

He said that he almost had hypertension in the last four weeks and urged his colleagues to shun free money and embrace hard work.

Olubola said that the free money promised by MMM almost caused him his life.

Wunmi Atte, also a student, said ‎she was convinced that the MMM was a fraud.

“Sooner or later it would fold up”, she said and wondered where the scheme got the money it promised members. (NAN)
WAL/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

IPC opens nominations for 2017 Scientific Award

NAN-S-9
Paralympics
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 13, 2017 (NAN) The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has opened nominations for the 2017 IPC Scientific Award, scheduled to hold in September’s VISTA Conference in Toronto, Canada.

An online portal, Insidethegames on Friday said that the biennial award recognised the work of academic researchers for their contributions to research in the field of sports for persons with impairment.

According to the portal, IPC Medical and Scientific Director, Peter-Van-de-Vliet, says the award started in 2005 to promote and encourage more study and “enhance the quality of work’’ in the field.

“The biennial Paralympic Scientific award allows the Paralympic community to honour someone for their exceptional performance and contributions to the Paralympic Movement.

“At Each edition, the quality of nominations improves massively and I am sure that this year’s winner will once again raise the bar in terms of research,’’ it said.

The statement added that the 2015 edition was presented to Canadian Jennifer Mactavish in recognition of her role in the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment into the Paralympic programme.

“Mactavish is the dean of the Yeates School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University, Canada,’’ it added.

It said that the Canadian also served as the leading member of the joint IPC and International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS).

The statement noted that the joint body provided the framework for the “Eligibility Classification Research’’ project.

The project eventually led to 120 intellectually impaired athletes competing at London 2012 after a 12 year absence in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

The portal disclosed that IPC members, governing board members, sport technical committees, standing committees and councils could now all submit nominations ahead of the deadline on Feb. 24.

The award will be presented at VISTA 2017 which will take place from Sept. 20 to Sept. 23.

Around 300 of the world’s leading sports scientists, sport medicine practitioners, classifiers, coaches, athletes and sport administrators are expected to attend. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

Workers in Kogi-owned tertiary schools serve strike notice

NAN-H-103
Strike
Lokoja, Jan. 12, 2017 ( NAN) Academic and non-academic staff in Kogi-owned tertiary institutions will commence a five-day warning strike from Jan. 16, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) announced on Thursday in Lokoja.

The workers under the aegis of JAC of the tertiary institutions, said discussion between its leadership and the state government, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, had broken down.

The communiqué issued by JAC after its meeting was signed by its Chairman, Mr Henry Tolufashe and Secretary, Mr Akubo Odoma.

According to the communiqué, the meeting failed to resolve the issue of its members affected by the screening and verification exercise held at the College of Education,

“The SSG demanded that JAC give the government two weeks to publish the names of affected workers by the review committee, but the JAC said no.

“An injury to one is an injury to all.”

The JAC advised government to give all uncleared workers a final opportunity to defend themselves before an appeal committee within a period of one month.

It said that all established fraudulent practices should be prosecuted, while  membership of the appeal committee should not include members of the current review committee and include JAC representatives

“ Since there was no directive from government on specific banks to operate as salary accounts, declaring such categories of workers as ghost workers is unacceptable as they should be cleared and paid immediately,’’ the council demanded.

JAC observed that the promise of government to pay all genuine workers on or before Dec. 20 last year did not materialize, as many genuine workers were yet to receive their salary. ( NAN)
KKA/OU/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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