Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-35
NAMA
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Jan. 12, 2017 (NAN) The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu,  assumed office on Thursday assumed office at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Akinkuotu was briefed by some top management staff of the agency as he assumed duties.

Akinkuotu, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) was named NAMA Managing Director on Jan. 9.

He took over from Mr Emma Anasi, who had been working in acting capacity since last March when the former Managing Director, Mr Ibrahim Abdulsalam, was removed for alleged fraud.

Akinkuotu, a transport pilot, flight and aircraft maintenance engineer was also a former rector of the International Aviation College, Ilorin.

Until his new appointment, he was the chief executive officer of Aero Contractors Airlines, which recently resumed operations after a four-month self-imposed suspension.

Meanwhile, an aviation union, the Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) had congratulated Akinkuotu on his appointment.

The union urged Akinkuotu to use his wealth of experience to reposition NAMA.

The President of NATCA, Mr Victor Eyaru, told NAN that the new NAMA boss was vast in industry and was capable of transforming NAMA if given the needed support.

“He is not new to the industry and as a former pilot; he understands the need to put the right things in place to enhance air safety.

“One of the most important areas is the issue of communication between pilots and the air traffic controllers which is presently not good enough, due to lack of equipment.

“We believe that he can quickly address this issue and other challenges so that NAMA would be able to live up to its statutory responsibilities,” Eyaru said. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/ENN/SN
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Silas Nwoha

NAN-S-12
Tennis
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Jan. 12, 2017 (NAN) Nigeria’s most successful tennis player, Nduka Odizor, says tennis players need sponsors to be able to compete favourably with their counterparts who are dominating the sport globally.

Odizor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone on Thursday in Lagos that the best players in the world had excellent training and support from sponsorships.

“I was fortunate to get a sponsor in my time and that was one of the reasons I excelled in tennis.

“I believe that sports development in Nigeria can grow better if only private companies or organisations lend a hand to at least one sport as it is done in Europe and the rest of the world.

“For instance, world number one, Andy Murray was supported by the Bank of England in his early days as a player.

“And from there, he got other sponsors who helped his career in tennis to get him to the top,’’ he told NAN expressing the hope that such would materialise.

“Having said so, companies should include such in their Corporate Social Responsibility annually to help the growth of sports in the country.

“If this can be achieved, Nigeria will be on the right track to dominating in sports.

“Attention should be given to other sports too like it is to football. Yes, globally football gets more attention but Nigeria is taking it to the extreme.’’

Odizor said the U.S., the U.K., and Europe as a whole and even China had the best facilities in place to achieve that and they constantly support their athletes to competitions.

“Nigerian tennis players need to constantly feature in tournaments because that’s the way to get better.

“Exposure is one thing that’s very important in tennis because it is a game where if you do not start early you will not go far.

“Confidence level improves when you meet and learn one or two techniques from an opponent and that goes a long way to help your career.

“Points are garnered for world rankings at competitions and that portrays Nigerian players in good light,’’ he said.

The “Duke’’ as he is popularly called among tennis buffs, said the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) should not be saddled with the responsibility of organising and sponsoring athletes to competitions.

“In the U.S., it is a different ball game entirely; the responsibility does not sit on the state government but shared among everyone who is a stakeholder in the sport.

“But here in Nigeria, the case is different. I understand that they both have full responsibility entrusted on them but they have little they can achieve with this.

“The NTF relies on funds got from the ministry and the ministry has so many federations to cater for.

“The federations are trying their best and I must commend them.

“Most times when they approach organisations and individuals they turn down their appeals for help having in mind that the ministry is providing funds,’’ he said. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-7
Football
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 12, 2016 (NAN) Bright Omokara, a former Super Eagles player says the nation’s absence at the forthcoming 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon is disappointing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will hold from Jan. 14 to Feb. 5 in Gabon.

NAN reports that the country that missed out in the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea, failed to qualify for the 2017 edition.

Omokaro told NAN on Thursday in Lagos that Nigeria’s absence at biennial continental tournament was the result of its poor management of football.

“The sentiment in our football is too much and it has got us to theis unpleasant situation.

“For the second consecutive time, Nigeria is not going to be part of the Nation’s Cup and it is a sad situation for football fans.

“A body of ex-internationals and people who have the technical know-how in football should be inaugurated to proffer a lasting solution to our football dilemma,’’ he said.

He noted that the country’s participation in the competition would have given Nigerians reason to smile in this current economic situation.

“Most Nigerians put their worries aside when they watch any Nigerian team playing.

“This is the kind of thing we need in this recession but it is unfortunate we are not part of the competition,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-41 ‎
Chieftaincy
Lokoja, Jan. 12, 2017 (NAN) A High Chief in Ilajo Ruling House of Kabba, Chief Steven Toluhi, has said that there is no disagreement  among the Ilajo people in nominating a new King in kabba. ‎
‎
Toluhi, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ‎in Lokoja on Thursday, explained that some necessary rituals would still be made to nominate a new king.

“There is no disagreement within the ruling house, but they are taking their time in collaboration with government pronouncement to nominate a peaceful king.

“I want to commend Gov. Yahaya Bello on his efforts at ensuring that Kabba people enjoy a thorough peace and tranquility, as well as the constitution of committee to look into the emergence of a new King for Kabba.

“I also want to assure our governor of the Ilajo family’s continuous support for his government and his giant stride at rebuilding roads across the state,’’ he said.

Toluhi urged Kabba citizens to be patient and law abiding as the new King would be unveiled soon.

He commended the market women and other residents of the area for making the community proud.

“Immediately after the announcement of the new king, the coronation arrangements will be announced to the public,’’ the high chief said. (NAN)
WAL/OIF/AMY

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Abdullahi Yusuf

 Cote d’Iviore Ouattara, names new government with few changes

NAN-S-12

Cricket
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Jan. 11, 2017 (NAN) The Lagos State Cricket Association on Wednesday said that the body would engage budding talents in grassroots-oriented programmes, to develop the sport.

Barnaby Ephraim, Vice-Chairman of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was only through developmental programmes that athletes could improve their skills.

Ephraim said that the body organised school programmes annually, adding that this year would not be an exception.

“Our aim as a body is to ensure that more children play cricket in Lagos by going to more schools to spread the sport.

“So we want to work in line with the vision of the Lagos State Sports Commission to uplift sports.

“We also look forward for the continuous support of the commission this year,” he said.

The Vice-Chairman added that the state cricket league which had already commenced this year had also helped to engage athletes one way or the other.

He said that efforts would be made to partner with companies and individual to sustain and boost the league. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PIO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-DS-1

Legion

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Jan. 11, 2017 (NAN) The Kogi Government said on Wednesday that it had donated N10 million to retired members of the Nigeria armed forces in the state.

Gov. Yahaya Bello announced the donation in Lokoja at the flagging-off of the 2017 Nigeria Armed Forces Remembrance Day and the inauguration of the commemorative emblem.

Bello said that the money was to enable the ex-service men to take care of their immediate needs.

He also directed the state Ministry of Women Affairs and youth empowerment to come up with a social support programme for the widows and children of the fallen soldiers.

The governor, who said that the state had a large number of the ex-service men, recalled the death of Lt. Col Mohammed Abu-Ali, who was killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Nov. 4, 2016.

He extolled the virtues of the late Ali, who at the time of death, was Commander, 272 Tank Battalion, Malufantori, Borno.

The governor said ex–service men should always be remembered for the supreme price they had paid and the disability sustained in the course of serving the country.

He urged wealthy Nigerians and corporate organisations to join in supporting their relations.

Bello also commended members of the armed forces and the police for their contributions to the maintenance of peace in the state.

According to him, the state is now safer and has become a no-go area for kidnappers and armed robbers.

In his address of welcome, Capt. Johnson Abu (rtd), the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Kogi Chapter, highlighted the various challenges experienced by ex-servicemen and pleaded for support from well-meaning Nigerians.

Abu stated that many of the ex-servicemen still living, need jobs in order to take care of the needs of their families.

He, therefore, appealed to the government to enrol them in its social support programmes. ( NAN)
KKA/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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British list highlights bizarre boss excuses against minimum wage

NAN-F-16

Wage
London, Jan. 11, 2017 (dpa/NAN) British bosses have been known to argue that their workers aren’t good enough to deserve the minimum wage on Wednesday.

Similarly, that foreigner isn’t entitled to the same pay as British nationals when caught out for underpaying staff.

Don’t do that, warns a new publication from the British government more importantly, don’t use any of the excuses it helpfully shares and, if you’re an employee, don’t accept those excuses, it urges.

Now, a list of 10 of the most ludicrous excuses for flouting minimum wage laws has been published by the British government, in a bid to get workers to recognise their legal rights as employees.

One unscrupulous boss said the law didn’t apply to their workers as the employees “like to think of themselves as self-employed’’.

“While a shop owner claimed his employees were only technically working when customers needed to be served when the shop was empty they were on standby’’, He said.

“I thought it was ok to pay foreign workers below the national minimum wage as they aren’t British and therefore don’t have the right to be paid it,’’ another argued.

By law, all workers in Britain must be paid the minimum wage or living wage, depending on their age.

The current national minimum wage of 5.55 pounds (6.73 dollars) kicks in when workers hit the legal school leaving age of 18, and increases for those aged 21 to 24.

A national living wage of 7.20 pounds was introduced in April 2016 and only applies to workers aged 25 or over. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Abigael Joshua/Julius Enehikhuere)

Germany to deploy helicopters, more soldiers to UN mission in Mali

NAN-F-13

Deployment
Berlin, Jan. 11, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Germany’s cabinet on Wednesday, approved the deployment of eight attack and transport helicopters and 350 additional soldiers to Mali as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.

A report from Berlin said that the helicopters would replace those of the Dutch army, while the additional troops would service and maintain the fleet.

It said after the deployment, 1,000 soldiers would be left in Mali taking part in the 15,000-strong UN mission that oversees a peace deal agreed in 2015 between the government and rebels.

“The four attack helicopters and a similar number of transport machines will stay in Mali until mid-2018.

“The additional deployments will have to be approved by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament,’’ it said.

The report added that the cabinet has also approved the extension of a mission in northern Iraq, where some 150 soldiers have been training Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State.

It said the mandate also required parliamentary approval.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 100 peacekeepers have died in Mali, where France launched a military operation in 2013 to push back Islamists who a year earlier had hijacked an ethnic Tuareg uprising in the north of the country. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Hawa Lawal/Julius Enehikhuere)

Toll rises to 58 in three Afghan attacks as UAE says 5 diplomats killed

NAN-F-12

Attacks
Kabul, Jan. 11, 2017 (dpa/NAN) The United Arab Emirates confirmed on Wednesday that five of its diplomats were killed from the three attacks in Afghanistan death, as the toll climbed to 58 in southern Kandahar province.

Qamaruddin Sediqi, the Health Ministry Spokesman, said in Kabul that not less than 116 people were wounded in Tuesday’s attacks.

He said that the largest casualty count came from the bombing outside parliament in Kabul with 10 people in intensive care.

“Two Taliban suicide bombers targeted the parliament’s gate while staffers and parliamentarians were getting ready to go home.

The ministry spokesman noted that the suicide bombing was followed by two explosions inside the governor’s home in southern Kandahar province late Tuesday, killing 11 people including five members of a UAE delegation.

Another report added that at the time of the bombing, UAE Ambassador Juma Al’ Kaabi was visiting Kandahar Governor Humayun Azizi.

Mohammad Yonusi, a member of the provincial council, said a lawmaker from northern Jawzjan, the deputy governor of Kandahar, and an Afghan diplomat stationed in Washington who was home on vacation died in the blasts.

He said Governor Azizi and UAE Ambassador Al Kaabi were among 10 to 16 others wounded.

Sayed Khakrezwal, the Head of Kandahar’s Provincial Council, said the explosives were placed inside couches.

He said another suicide bombing in southern Helmand province earlier in the day killed seven people and wounded three to six others.

Meanwhile, Taliban Spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, had claimed responsibility for the attack.

He said the suicide bomber targeted a meeting of members of the Afghan spy agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and military commanders.

He, however, denied the group’s involvement in the Kandahar blasts. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Hawa Lawal/Julius Enehikhuere)