Paolo Gentiloni named as new Italian prime minister

NAN-F-2

Appointment
Rome, Dec. 11, 2016 (dpa/ NAN) Outgoing foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni has been asked to form a new government by President Sergio Mattarella, making him Italy’s prime ministerial designate, an aide to the head of state says.

The appointment ends a week-long political crisis triggered by a ‘No’ vote in a December 4 referendum on constitutional reforms, which led Matteo Renzi, its chief sponsor, to give up the premiership.

As prime minister designate, Gentiloni is now asked to put together a list of ministers, return to Mattarella for the swearing-in of  his government, and win votes of confidence in both houses of parliament.

The process is expected to be completed within days, in time for Thursday’s European Union summit in Brussels, which should mark the new premier’s debut on the international scene. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

World’s longest tunnel railway tunnel opens to public in Switzerland

NAN-F-1
Railway
Lugano, Swiss, Dec. 11, 2016  (dpa/NAN) The first scheduled train to pass through the world’s longest railway tunnel arrived in the Swiss city of Lugano more than 30 minutes faster than usual on Sunday, thanks to a shortcut that took 12.2 billion Swiss francs (12.3 billion dollars) and 17 years to build.

Departing from Zurich, the train was the first to carry members of the public through the Swiss Alps since the Gotthard Base Tunnel was formally inaugurated more than half a year ago.

The official ceremony in June, attended by various European leaders, was followed by 5,000 safety tests before authorities could approve the tunnel for public transport.

“We have been training for a long time and are happy we can finally get started,” the head of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Andreas Meyer, said.

The 57-kilometre tunnel was designed to boost environmentally friendly cargo traffic on rails across the Alps and to better connect industrial hubs in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

It replaces Japan’s 53.9-kilometre Seikan Tunnel – between Japan’s Honshu and Hokkaido islands – as the world’s longest rail tunnel. It takes 17 minutes to pass through by train. (dpa/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Supporters Club Election: Ikpea, Adeniyi emerge Chairman, Secretary

NAN-S-1
Election
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Dec. 10, 2016 (NAN) A long time secretary of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Rev. Sam Ikpea and Kunle Adeniyi, a lawyer were on Saturday elected the National Chairman and Secretary General of the club respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were about 250 accredited voters that took part in the election, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Announcing the results, Ademola Bankole, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, said that Ikpea pulled an overwhelming 168 votes to defeat his only rival, Aromire Muritala who pulled seven votes.

He added that Adeniyi scored 121 votes to emerge the secretary after beating his only rival, Prince Olowu Victor who scored 43 votes.

NAN also reports that eight of the sixteen positions in the club were contested for while the other positions were returned unopposed.

Bankole said that Dr. Utoh Donatus, narrowly defeated Ebi Siawe Isaac with 87 votes to 84 votes to emerge the first vice Chairman.

Similarly, he noted that Adefaratin Ojo convincingly scored 111 votes to defeat Lateef Bakare with 42 votes for the post of the second vice chairman.

Bankole said that Tafoki Lawal was returned unopposed as the third vice chairman, while Elizabeth Mboku and Alelamole Jimoh returned unopposed as the first and second assistant secretary general respectively.

“Oroyinyin Isiaka returned unopposed as the financial secretary, while Olaniyan Olalade pulled a staggering 133 votes to beat Madu Sunday with 29 votes for the post of assistant secretary.

“The post of the Public Relations Officer and the Assistant were won unopposed by Balogun Hafeez and Ogbe John respectively,’’ Bankole said.

He added that Oyalu Adekemi returned unopposed as the Welfare Officer, while Adebayo Alabi had 90 votes to beat Chima Offor with 70 votes for the post of Assistant Welfare Officer.

“Gabrjel Ogunmodede scored 127 votes to beat Afolashade Gbajumo for the post of Social Secretary, while Olaniyan Ganiyu returned unopposed as the Assistant Social Secretary.

“Michael Ogunbadejo scored 130 votes for the post of the Chief whip after beating Leonard Ileogbuman who scored 30 votes,’’ Bankole said.(NAN)
MIL/ENN
========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu)

NAN-H-40

Church

By Bassey Bassey

Uyo, Dec. 10, 2016 (NAN) Rescue workers are battling to evacuate victims in a church building which collapsed in Uyo on Saturday while service was in session.

Some senior government officials are suspected to be among the victims.

The casualty figure has yet to be known.  (NAN)
BB/JCE

Algeria deports hundreds of West African migrants to Niger

NAN-F-18

Migrants
Algeria, Dec. 9, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Algerian authorities have deported hundreds of West African migrants to Niger this week, trucking them thousands of miles across the desert in one of the biggest roundups seen this year, according to officials and human rights groups.

Algeria has often sent migrants back to Niger since 2014 as the number of people taking the dangerous route to Europe from West Africa has swelled.

But the latest group is different because it involves people from across the region, not just Niger, officials said, suggesting a more determined effort to remove immigrants.

Over the last two days, at least 1,000 migrants came in a convoy of about 50 trucks to Agadez in central Niger, a desert town where migrants from all over West Africa pay smugglers to take them to, according to officials in Agadez, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Human Rights Watch.

“They are about 1,000, 271 from Niger, the rest from West African countries, mainly Mali and Guinea Conakry,” said Giuseppe Loprete, the head of IOM’s mission in Niger.

Algerian and Nigerien authorities were not immediately available for comment.

The IOM, which has a holding centre in Agadez where migrants from across the region are housed and fed, is not directly involved in the latest deportation, as it was not contacted by Algerian or Nigerien authorities to help, Loprete said.

The migrants are instead being housed on the outskirts of town, said Isatou Abdou, who works for the UN’s human rights arm in Agadez. She could not immediately confirm the numbers.

According to a Human Rights Watch report released on Friday, over 1,400 migrants have been forcibly deported from Algeria this month.

Many were rounded up in the capital Algiers and ferried to Agadez, over 1,600 miles (2,600 km) south.

“A mass and summary deportation of migrants, including men and women who may have fled persecution or have worked for years in Algeria, would violate their rights,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN–H–43
Judges
By Ikemefuna Taire Okudolo
Ikorodu (Lagos State), Dec. 9, 2016 (NAN) Presiding judges at Ikorodu Customary Courts have continued to stay away from the temple of justice in protest over the non-payment of their eight months salaries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inactivity at the courts was taking its toll on litigants and their dependants whose fate are tied to the court rulings.
Some of the affected judges told NAN that the situation was so bad they could not even transport themselves to the courts or meet their basic health needs.
Mrs Salimot Abiye, a petitioner who wanted divorce due to abandonment of her four children, told NAN that her plight had worsened as the court have refused to sit on her case.
She said that her petition for divorce had been pending before the Ikorodu Customary Court since February.
“My husband has taken advantage of the present crisis in the customary courts to further make life miserable for me and the children.
“Our children are no longer attending school due to non-payment of fees and are looking malnourished because they are not feeding properly,’’ she said.
Another petitioner, Mr Jacob Ogunye, said that his life had become stagnant because of the court’s inactivity.
“Since this imbroglio started, it is either the judges failed to form a quorum at seating or are not in the right frame of mind to do justice as expected.
“My case had been adjourned more than seven times since April this year,’’ he told NAN.
According to another petitioner, Mrs Helen Oyeyemi, those ordered to pay alimony were likely to avoid doing so under the current state of affairs at the court.
“Husbands who ordinarily have been irresponsible are happy with the court’s situation,’’ Oyeyemi, who wanted divorce because her husband started another family of two children without her knowledge said.
Mr Levi Adikwaone, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, said the matter was already before the Attorney General of Lagos State
“In a bid to surmount these anomalies, we wrote to the Attorney General of Lagos State giving a seven-day ultimatum to address all the issues that undermine justice administration in this division.
“The Lagos Government has replied promising to see to the end of all these challenges to effective justice administration by end of December.
“It is really appalling the conditions under which officers of the Temple of Justice in this judicial division work,’’ the NBA official said.
The Sole Administrator, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Gbolahan Ogunneye, did not respond to several calls and text messages after visits to his office failed to yield any positive result.
However, a senior official of the local government, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the council was addressing the welfare issues of customary court judges.
“The customary court judges are not the only staff of this local council being owed salaries.
“I can tell you that the sole administrator is doing all within his power to pay every worker of the council because their welfare is top priority to him,’’ he said.
NAN reports that customary court judges in Lagos are recruited by the state’s Judicial Service Commission but remunerated by local councils where they work. (NAN)
PTI/WOJ

NAN-H-

Retreat

By Olawale Jokotoye

Abeokuta, Dec.9, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives on Friday, commenced a 2-day retreat on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Abeokuta, Ogun capital.

The theme of the retreat, organised by the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, is “The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, who declared the retreat open, urged the committee to be guided by national interest and not parochial, sectional or religious considerations in its assignment.

Dogara, represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Yinka Gbajabiamila, enjoined the committee to consult widely and come up with a constitution that would stand the test of time.

He stressed the need for the committee to leverage on areas where the 7th National Assembly had secured consensus of the National Assembly and approval of the various state Houses of Assembly.

The Chairman of committee, Mr Lasun Yussuff, said that the House had been working tirelessly to ensure that the 4th Alteration Bill was given speedy passage.

Yussuff, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, stated that the retreat would avail the committee opportunity to consult with stakeholders on the issue.

He added that the event would enable the committee to come up with a constitution that would positively impact on Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Constitution amendment process is a serious matter and oftentimes challenging.

“Thus, the committee is involving the participation of various stakeholders to make their much-needed contributions,” he said.

He listed issues for constitutional review to include; same sex marriage, resource control and local government creation.

Others according to him are state police, electoral laws and appointment of judges.

He noted that the 7th Assembly had effected exhaustive amendments to the constitution, adding that the 8th Assembly would rely on the framework laid by the previous Assembly to address unresolved issues.

“Here in Nigeria, several attempts made to amend the constitution have often ended in futility.

‘’We have decided that the process should commence and fast-tracked to ensure a time passage of the Bill,” he said.

A former Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Mr Bola Ajibola, urged the committee to consider their assignment as crucial to the future of the nation.

Ajibola spoke on the theme of the retreat, “The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building.”

Ajibola, also a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, urged the committee to use the instrument of the constitutional amendment to address Nigeria’s ailing economy.

“We have never had it this bad before and we have never been in this situation before.

“The constitution needs to be adjusted, amended and corrected in other to fit in and address the drastic situation we have found ourselves,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the 7th Assembly started the 4th Alteration Bill.
(NAN)

OAJ/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed
====================

NAN-AE-3

Technology

By Kudirat Ogunyemi

Abuja, Dec. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Concern Youth Empowerment Association of Nigeria (CYEAN) has unveiled a new product of plantain flour used in baking cake and other pastries.

National President of the association, Mr Nobel Adaelu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that the method, if put into proper use, would generate more than  5,000 jobs.

Adaelu said the use of modern technology remained the only means through which youths would be attracted to the agriculture sector.

He said that plans were underway to use plantain to produce bread, chinchin and custard.

“We want to get the generality of Nigerian youths to embrace this innovation to create employment and contribute to the diversification of Nigeria’s economy,’’ he said.

According to him, the primary aim of the association is to cut down the high rate of food importation through indigenous technology and build the value of the naira.

Adaelu said the association was looking forward to collaborating with individuals, international organisations, and donor agencies to commercialise the method.

The national president said the association had not enjoyed any form of support in form of training, funds or technical support from the government.

He said it was high time for the government to start giving proper attention to the development programmes for youths.

Government at all levels should not wait until the youths were recruited into terrorism and militancy before engaging them in viable ventures. (NAN)

ROK/ORO/MO

===========Edited by Razak Owolabi/Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-96
Interconnect
By Florence Onuegbu
Lagos, Dec. 8, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that about N10.5 billion has been paid through the agency’s intervention on interconnect indebtedness.

Danbatta made the fact known  at the ”Telecoms Executives and Regulator Forum (TERF)”, organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos on Thursday.

Represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Standards, Mr Ubale Maska, Danbatta  said the commission’s approach to interconnect and Value Added Service (VAS) debts in the telecommunications industry had been persuasive.

According to him, the regulator is not interested in micro managing financial and relationships between, and among service providers, that have been substantially protected by subsisting commercial agreements.

”Interconnect debts have not been really a big issue in the industry except in cases of disputes. But there have been cases of interconnect fees disputes between service providers.

”In such cases, the regulator has intervened. In the past one year, such intervention has resulted in payments of about N10.5 billion from about reported N17 billion disputed interconnect debts.

”Agreements have also been reached for the settlement of outstanding debts,” he said.

Danbatta said that on the VAS segment, the commission believed that the absence of detailed regulation with appropriate market segmentation was responsible for interconnect disputes.

He said that NCC had received reports, especially from VAS providers, of alleged exploitation by the big operators.

Danbatta said that on the other hand, the service providers had complained about the parasitic nature of this service.

”There is also a fusion of roles between the identified market segments, resulting in distortions in the market.

”The commission has conducted a consultative process and is about concluding arrangements for introduction of a regulation to guide the activities of the VAS market.

”This will substantially address the issues arising from VAS interconnect debt,” he said.

Danbatta said that the Nigerian telecommunications market thrived on private sector investment and for about 20 years, the industry could only record some paltry 60 million dollars private sector investments.

He said that the partial deregulation of the industry with Decree 72 of 1992 did not change the investment climate.

He said the digital mobile licensing process of 2001 and the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, which grew the investor confidence had resulted in the attraction of sector investment from 2001 to 2016, to about 68 billion dollars.

He said that the investment was huge but was by no means adequate for one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world.

”The capital intensity of the industry, the need for service providers to increase their infrastructure deployment to satisfy the ever-increasing demand, creates room for double the size of this investment in the next 10 years.

”We have about 40 million Nigerians yet to be reached with basic infrastructure and services.

”Our roadmap for broadband has created new frontiers for investment. The quest for data and social media enables services, as well as the increasing value added creates new frontiers for investments.

”Therefore, the desire for investment in the sector will continue to grow as the size of the network increases,” Danbatta said. (NAN)
FON/JCE
=======

Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

Father, mother and son missing as two boats collide in Badagry

NAN-H-63
Boats
Lagos, Dec. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Police in Lagos on Thursday declared missing a father, mother and son after two boats collided in Badagry area of the state.

A statement by the police spokesperson in Lagos State, DSP Dolapo Badmos, said that the actual number of passengers aboard the ill-fated boats was yet to be ascertained.
“At about 8: 30 pm on Dec. 7, a canoe with passengers that took off from Pathfinder Jetty on Badagry Marina heading to Gberefu Beach collided with another fibre boat coming from Iyafin area in Badagry.

“The two boats capsized while the two operators were safe but the passengers are yet to be recovered.

“Effort is ongoing with local divers to recover the passengers.

“While the case is under investigation, three persons suspected to be father, mother and son are suspected to be among the missing passengers,“ Badmos said. (NAN)

HOB/WOJ
——-
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)