Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-F-15
Arrest
Istanbul, Nov. 24, 2016 (dpa/NAN)  A Turkish court has arrested Ahmet Turk, the pro-Kurdish former mayor of Mardin, on terror charges.

The public prosecutor’s office in Mardin, in the south-east of the country, is investigating Turk regarding membership of a terrorist organization, the news agency DHA reported.

Among other things, Turk is being accused of using state resources to support the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Turk was removed from post last week and replaced with an unelected state trustee. He was then detained Monday before being formally charged.

Although he does not belong to any political party, he is closely affiliated to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

According to the HDP, the Ankara government has placed 34 Kurdish municipalities that had been run by democratically elected HDP officials under the control of trustees.

The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been stepping up measures against the party, accusing it of links to terrorism. The HDP, the third-largest party in parliament, denies the charges. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

Lufthansa cancels 830 flights, as third day of strikes looms

NAN-F-14

Strike
Frankfurt, Nov. 24, 2016 (dpa) The pilots’ strike at Lufthansa will result in the cancellation of 830 flights on Friday, affecting the travel plans of some 100,000 passengers, the German flagship carrier said on Thursday.

Lufthansa said long-haul flights would be “carried out virtually according to schedule.” Domestic and short-haul flights within Europe would be worst hit ahead of the weekend, the company added.

By the end of Friday, a total of 315,000 passengers will have been affected. A total of 876 flights were cancelled on Wednesday and 912 on Thursday.

Lufthansa repeated its call for the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union to accept arbitration in the dispute, which stretches back to April 2014.

“As executive board, we are responsible for more than 120,000 staff members and aim to equip Lufthansa for the future. That would be impossible given a demand for 20 per cent more pay,” Lufthansa executive Harry Hohmeister said.

The company has offered 2.5 per cent up to the end of 2018. VC is demanding a total of 22 per cent for the period up to April 2017.

Lufthansa Group subsidiaries, including the Eurowings and Germanwings budget airlines, as well as AUA, Swiss, Brussels and Air Dolomiti, are unaffected.

Hohmeister termed VC’s demands “obscure” and “completely unacceptable,” noting that Lufthansa already paid its pilots more than was common at other carriers.

He called for a rapid return to talks, adding that every day on strike was costing the company around 10 million dollars, as well as damaging its reputation for reliability.

“We are seeing this in our medium-term bookings,” he said.

VC spokesman Joerg Handwerk accused company executives of “uncompromising business politics.”

German airports, including the main hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, were reported to be quiet.

Chaos was avoided by many Lufthansa passengers simply staying away from airports. The company was providing ongoing information on its website and arranging alternatives for stranded passengers. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-96
Committee
Lokoja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Kogi State government has set up a committee on the selection of a new Obaro of Kabba and the Ejeh of Anpka.

A statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday by the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the committee was inaugurated on behalf of Gov. Yahaya Bello by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade.

The statement was signed by Mr Jordan Akpata, Information Officer, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the stool of Obaro of Kabba became vacant in August following the transition of the late Oba Michael Olobayo, who ruled the community for 32 years.

The stool of the Ejeh of Ankpa is also vacant; the last holder, Alhaja Ahmadu Yakubu died in September this year

The committee, which has Mr Edward Onoja the Chief of Staff to the governor as chairman, would recommend qualified and rightful candidates to fill the vacant traditional stools.

The statement quoted Ayoade as saying that the terms of reference of the committee includes initiating the process of filling the vacant stools, monitor and supervise the process of filling them.

She said the committee also had the mandate to retrieve and forward the staff of office and any other government property kept by the family or relations of the deceased traditional rulers.

Ayoade charged the committee to abide by the principles of fairness, justice and equity in the discharge of its assignment.

She said that government holds the traditional institution in high regard, stressing that the roles of traditional rulers in the development of the society should not be toyed with.

Meanwhile the government has directed two traditional rulers, the Ohi of Ihima, Chief Ahmed Abdulraheem and the Obobanyi of Emani, Chief Samuel Onimisi to ensure peace in their domains or be deposed.

Alhaji Abubakar Ohere, Special Adviser to the governor on local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, gave the directive during a meeting with the two traditional rulers.

He warned that the lingering dispute in some Ihima communities should not be allowed to degenerate.

He charged them to ensure peace and harmony in their domains to attract more government projects.

Ohere also directed the Administrator of Okehi Local Government Council to convey a meeting of the two traditional rulers and other stakeholders and relay the decision of the government to them.

In his response, the Administrator, Alhaji Abdulraheem Ohiare thanked the government for the intervention and expressed his readiness to abide by the directive. (NAN)
KKA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

FG to begin processing cassava leaves as livestock feeds to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes
NAN-H-74
Leaves
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has commenced strategies to develop cassava leaves value chain into livestock feeds to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes in the country.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this at a seminar on `Unlocking the Potentials of Cassava Leaves as Livestock feed in Nigeria’ in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the seminar, organised by the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), was a wake-up call for stakeholders to deliberate on harnessing the potentials of cassava leaves.
Represented by Dr Egejuru Eze, Director, Animal Production and Husbandry Services in the ministry, Ogbeh said that the livestock industry had been bedevilled by stagnant practices hence, the clashes.
The minister said that livestock had the potential for increased productivity, including milk yield and body weight, when fed with cassava leaves.
According to him, cassava leaves has been found to be a good source of crude protein when made into silage.
Ogbeh said that the cassava leaves value chain would also create jobs for youths and enable farmers make more money from the sale of the leaves.
“Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with a production figure of 50 million metric tonnes.
“Cassava is a major food crop in Nigeria.
“It is strategically valued for its role in food security, poverty alleviation and a source of raw materials for agro-allied industries in Nigeria with huge potential for export market.
“It provides livelihood for over 30 million farmers,’’ the minister said.
Dr Olufemi Oladunni, Acting Executive Director of ARMTI, said the institute’s mission was to identify problems and develop appropriate interventions to improve managerial practice in the agricultural sector.
“ We gather policy makers, academics, practitioners and other stakeholders to facilitate a constructive discussion on policy development to tackle pertinent issues in agriculture.
“ The incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes, the grossly below optimum yield in livestock production and constant price hikes and scarcity of livestock products need speedy action.
“If we tackle agriculture challenges with effectiveness and efficiency in our practice, the scarcity of food, inflation, poverty, unemployment of youths will be minimal,’’ he said.
In a lecture, Prof. Dolapo Lufadeju, an agriculture development consultant, said Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, producing 50 million metric tonnes annually and providing livelihood to millions.
Lufadeju said that the initiative of cassava leaves to feed livestock would encourage men and women and create employment for the youth.
“Cassava is a major staple crop that can be used to promote rural industrialisation, starch, adhesive, exotic food, condiments and proven export foreign exchange earners.
“It can be successfully grown in marginal soil, hardiness and tolerance to adverse conditions,’’ he said.
He added that the world cassava production was about 165 million metric tonnes per annum and about 50 per cent was produced by Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand and Zaire. (NAN)
ROK/LAB/WOJ
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(Edited by Lydia Beshel / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-70

Recall

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Nov. 24, 2016 ( NAN) Kogi State Government on Thursday recalled the state head of service, Dr Moses Atakpa, and 102 permanent secretaries and directors it placed on compulsory leave since February.

The state acting Head of Service , Mrs Hassanat Lawal, said in a statement in Lokoja said that their recall was ordered by the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Lawal said that the recall order also affected local government councils’ treasurers, cashiers, checkers, education secretaries, accountants and other categories of staff that were sent on compulsory leave between February and November.

The acting Head of Service, however, said that the recalled senior civil servants would not go back to their previous positions.

According to her, all the affected officers will be reporting in her office every day until further notice, but will, in the interim, help the government to formulate policies in strategic areas of governance.

Atakpa, the recalled Head of Service thanked the governor for recalling him and his colleagues, saying that the action had clearly shown that the present administration was above pettiness and tribalism. (NAN)
KKA/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-AE-1
Litter
Lokoja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) An Environmentalist and Director of Signage Waste Management, Mr Williams Ayinde, has urged the Kogi Government to stop people littering the River Niger with refuse.

Ayinde made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lokoja.

He said littering the River Niger would not help in meeting the river’s desired status.

The environmentalist advised the state government to forward a bill to the State Assembly to sanction anyone found guilty of littering the river and its environment.

Ayinde said that a dirty environment would not encourage investors.

He, however, said the River Niger was supposed to be one of the major tourist attractions in the state and for generating revenue for the state government.

The environmentalist urged the state government and the ministry of environment to stop people littering the river bank.

Ayinde said, “Once the river is clean, it would attract people.’’

He said that even small countries like Ghana, used their rivers for tourism.

Ayinde said the Kogi Government should work on the River Niger.

The environmentalist said he would meet officials of the Ministry of Environment to design a platform through which government could turn around the fortunes of the river to a desired tourist destination. (NAN)
WAL/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

1. Women International Networking Conference continues in Abuja.

2. Forum organised by Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, an NGO, ends in Abuja.

3. The Second phase of Fadama III, Additional Financing (AF) Supervision Mission reaches Ogun.

4. Nigeria Fertiliser Roadmap programme continues in Abuja.

5. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) trains ad hoc staff in preparation for Ondo State Governorship election.

6. UNICEF workshop organised for care-givers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children holds in Gombe.

7. Standards Organisation of Nigeria holds workshop on the standardisation of goods for traders, in Makurdi.

8. NAFDAC meets with stakeholders in Ibadan on reports that producers are cutting corners in view of the economic recession in the country.

9. Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, meets members of the state chapter of Police Community Relations Committee in Lafia.

10. First Nsukka Trade Fair commences.

11. An FCT High Court Maitama hears a motion on notice filed by former FCT minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, against the EFCC for alleged violation of his fundamental right.

Kogi raises IGR to N600m per month
NAN-H-71
IGR
By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Kogi State Government says it has raised its monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) from N350 million to N600 million.
The state Commissioner of Finance, Mr Idris Ashiru-Asiwaju, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He said that the feat was achieved by plugging of loopholes and bringing more people into the tax net.
Ashiru-Asiwaju confirmed that the state Board of Internal Revenue Service had just been restructured and reorganized for effective performance.
According to him, about 400 new staff had been recruited into the Board as part of the reorganization.
The commissioner said that only 46 out of the 292 former staff of the Board were retained while the rest would be redeployed by the state Head of Service.
Ashiru-Asiwaju said that the Board is now in good stead for aggressive revenue drive with the reorganization and injection of fresh blood. (NAN)
KKA/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

Cilic hopes to end career-best season with Davis Cup title

NAN-S-6
Davis Cup
Zagreb, Nov. 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN) After rising to a career-best number six ranking through solid play at the World Tour Championships in London, Marin Cilic has turned his full attention to the weekend Davis Cup final.

The Croatian hopes to duplicate history from a decade ago when the young Balkan nation won its only title in the worldwide team competition over Slovakia in Bratislava.

Now the battle from Friday is with Argentina, which has come up heartbreakingly short in four previous finals, dating to a first in 1981 against the U.S.

Cilic, who will lead the hosts, said: “I’m extremely excited obviously now. A little bit more positive finishing this tournament with a win. That’s extremely a good thing for me.

“Playing now at home, I guess it’s going to be extremely exciting for the fans, for the players, for both teams.

“The teams are going to make the big difference. The team energy, the team spirit from both teams, I think they were great this year.’’

Argentina will be `quite motivated’ for the final. “We have to do the same in our team. I’m just hoping that our crowd is going to help us and lead us to the win,’’ he said.

Cilic will be backed up by 37-year-old veteran Ivo Karlovic, who `retired’ from Davis Cup in 2012, while 20-year-old Borna Coric is back after injury with the possibility of playing. Ivan Dodig leads the doubles mix.

Argentine are counting on timely form from 38th-ranked Juan Martin del Potro, who skipped the last days of the regular ATP season to return home for intense training.

“They are the favourites, I imagine they will put a very fast surface that will benefit their game, but I will check that once we are in Zagreb,’’ Del Potro said.

“We were also not favourites in the semi-finals against Britain in Glasgow but we ended up surprising everyone – we will look for the same thing.’’

Del Potro has climbed more than 1,000 rankings spots in 2016 after returning from a chronic wrist problems, beating Andy Murray in five sets in the semis.

He will be competing in his third Davis Cup final after losses in 2008 and 2011.

“I closed a spectacular year and this would be a great final prize, I’m really enjoying the build-up,’’ he said.

Argentina captain captain Daniel Orsanic has also called on Federico Delbonis, Guido Pella and Leonardo Mayer for the same line-up that beat Britain in the semis. (dpa/NAN)
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Leicester midfielder Drinkwater charged with violent conduct

NAN-S-5
Drinkwater
London, Nov. 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater has been charged with violent conduct for an incident in last weekend’s Premier League match with Watford.

Drinkwater appeared to elbow Watford’s Valon Behrami and though the incident went unnoticed, the FA said on Wednesday it had made the decision after examining video footage.

The midfielder could now face a three-match suspension. (dpa/NAN)
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