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Gov. Ikpeazu presents N139.542 billion Appropriation Bill for 2019 fiscal year

Budget
Umuahia, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Friday presented N139,542 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2019 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
The bill, tagged “Budget of Consolidation,” has a Capital Expenditure outlay of N71.7 billion, representing 51.4 per cent, and Recurrent Expenditure of N67.8 billion, representing 48.6 per cent.
Ikpeazu said the budget outlay was slightly less than that of 2018, which was N140. 9 billion.
He said that the decrease was mainly due to his administration’s resolve to prepare a budget that conformed with the current economic reality in the country.
He further said that the 2019 budget estimate was conceptualised to help realise the objectives of his administration’s five pillars of development agenda.
“In 2019, our focus will be on continuity and sustenance of the gains  achieved by this administration in the areas of agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and youth cum women empowerment,” he said.
Responding, the Speaker of the house, Mr Chikwendu Kalu, promised that the house would give prompt attention to the budget estimate.
Kalu said, “Your Excellency, the legislature has during the presentation observed carefully packaged budget in line with the international transparency principle. We are in this together.”
Meanwhile, the house also on Friday passed a Supplementary Appropriation Bill of over N9.8 billion, presented to it by the governor for the year ending December 31, 2018. (NAN).
LEO/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Expert harps on first aid training to avert deaths
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Training
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, Neurological Surgeon, Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium(BASS), Abuja, on Friday advised the Federal Governments to train law enforcement agents on first aid treatment during emergencies.
Ogungbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said that civil servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as youth corps members must be knowledgeable in first-aid to preserve life.
“We as doctors and other healthcare practitioners have perhaps not done enough in the communities to empower people with the information and knowledge to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. We should do more.
“We should do more within the family, in churches and mosques and in our places of work.
“We should start in our own homes and then go into schools to teach and train, and perhaps change attitudes to pain and distress,” he said.
Ogungbo said there was need to know how to be humane so we can resuscitate our humanity, adding that the media should be able to carry first aid training to all Nigerians.
“First aid is necessary in case of burns, heart attacks, heavy bleeding, allergies or even in times of analeptic shock, the timely reaction of one or more people can help stabilise the victim until help arrives.
“One act of kindness can mean the difference between death and life; this is reason enough for people to take to learning the steps and methods involved in first aid.
“It could ensure the right treatment and prevent quacks from ruling the roost in times when one has an accident, a major one or a minor one, the first aid training can come in handy and make sure that the right treatment can reach the person,” he said.
Ogungbo also advised Nigerians to have primary education in terms of first aid administration, be it women at home or teachers at school, to people who work at places where a large confluence of people meets, like malls, theatres or stadia. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Peace

By Yakubu Uba

Numan (Adamawa) Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The  Hama Bachama, Chief Honest Irimiya, has lauded former Gov. Murtala Nyako for his role as peace maker in the state.

The traditional ruler made the commendation on Friday in Numan while receiving Nyako who paid him a courtesy call.

Irimiya, who is an ex military officer, also lauded Nyako for the role he played in his (Irimiya) enlistment into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna in 1974.

He also praised Nyako for endorsing him as the Hama Bachama in 2012, when Nyako was the governor of Adamawa.

Irimiya said Nyako had been close to him and other stakeholders within and outside the state, as a man of peace.

The monarch said allegations making round linking Nyako with Numan crisis between herders and farmers were not true.

The royal father said that part of the allegation which said Nyako’s farm, known as Sebore Farm,was  being used to habour miscreants used in attacking Bachama people sounded funny.

According to him, the Chief Security officer in the farm is a Bachama man.

He cautioned the people of Adamawa on the need to appreciate their diversity by not allowing mischief makers to use ethnicity and religion to destabilise the state.

“As people with security background, myself and Nyako know the value of peace and will never encourage anything that threatens peace in Adamawa and anywhere, “he said.

• Earlier, Nyako said and his delegation of  elder statesmen visited the traditional ruler, to commend him for his active role in working for peace in Bachama chiefdom and state in general.

Nyako said the visit would also provide him the opportunity to rub mind with the traditional institution, on ways to promote dialogue among the diverse people of the area.

The former governor said the visit was also necessary in view of the security challenges facing  the state. (NAN)

YMU/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Prices
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the average price of some selected food items in the country decreased in November.

NBS disclosed this on Friday in its November “Selected Food Price Watch’’ report released in Abuja.

It said the average price of one dozen of medium sized agric egg decreased from N482.9 in October to N477.76 in November.

The bureau said price of a dozen of medium sized egg increased year-on-year by 3.16 per cent and month-on-month by -1.06 per cent in the period under review.

It said the average price of a piece of medium sized agric egg decreased year-on-year by 3.89 per cent and increased month-on-month by 1.62 per cent to N42.40 in November from N41.73 in October.

According to the report, the average price of one kilogramme of tomato increased year-on-year by 2.79 per cent and decreased month-on-month by 3.99 per cent to N294.36 in November from N306.59 recorded in October.

It said the average price of one kilogramme of rice (imported high quality sold loose) increased year-on-year by 4.38 per cent and month-on-month by 0.96 per cent to N376.63 in November from N373.04 in October.

Similarly, the average price of one kilogramme of yam tuber increased year-on-year by 12.66 per cent and decreased month-on month by -5.18 per cent to N239.15 in November from N252.21 in October,’’ it added. (NAN)
LCN/MUYI/IS
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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Ismail Abdulaziz

PTP

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Trust Party (PTP), Mr Gbenga Hasim, says his candidacy is determined to enthrone trust and brotherhood in the  governance of the country.

Hasim gave made this pledge on Friday while briefing newsmen after a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu.

He said that the people needed an environment of trust and brotherhood to thrive.

The PTP presidential candidate said it was sad that some sections of the country felt excluded in the scheme of things, adding that his presidency would run an all inclusive government.

Hasim said that he was in the South East to assure them that whatever grievances they nursed would be addressed by his administration.

He said that the forthcoming elections would determine the future of the country, urging Nigerians to elect selfless leaders.

“The 2019 election is going to be an unusual election in the sense that it is almost a referendum on the future of Nigeria.

“It will be a decision on the peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria.

“The South East zone is very crucial, as there has been a lot of injustice and I am here to heal the wounds,” he said.

Hasim said that within six months in office, he would decentralise power by amending the exclusive and concurrent lists to ensure that states have greater roles in resource mobilisation.

He said that the overbearing central government had not provided the approval, momentum and encouragement for the state resources to be developed.

Hashim stressed the need to create equity in the federation and added that South East had been the worst hit with five states. (NAN)

EOA/KTO/YEMI

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Campaign

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Buhari Campaign Organisation and Empowerment (BCO) in Bayelsa has inaugurated Liaison Officers in the Local Government areas of the state as part of efforts to reach out to the wards in the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that BCO in the state had embarked on ward-to-ward mobilisation for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Ezekiel Ogbianko, Bayelsa Liaison Officer of BCO, said in Yenagoa on Friday during the inauguration of the officers, that the people were committed to preaching the good gospel of President Buhari.

Ogbianko, who is also the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Bayelsa, said the support for Buhari was necessary due to his numerous achievements not only in the area of agriculture but also in all sectors.

“Well, l have seen that the Presidential candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, is the most credible for the next nation’s President; we must do what we can do to return him to power to enable him to finish his good work.

“The importance of the fight against corruption to national development cannot be over-emphasised. In the area of rural-farmers development, he has performed well.

“The present government has also done well in the area of youths empowerment and job creation.

“At least today, you can see many young people going into farming business,” he stated.

On campaigns, Ogbianko urged politicians and youths to embrace peaceful campaign and steer clear of thuggery.

“Do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments of disorder during and after elections. We must learn how to support peaceful campaign and elections.

“Politicians must play by the rules of the game and must know that the country, Nigeria has come of age.

“We must say no to political violence, tribalism and selfish interests which remain the primitive ways of politics,” he said. (NAN)

OOC/IKU/AMY

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni and Abdullahi Yusuf

Registration
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Dec. 28.2018(NAN) The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) on Friday called for the review of the process of registration of political parties to curb abuse of the political system.

The Executive Director, CASER, Mr Frank Tietie, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, alleged that many of the parties were formed with corrupt motives and not for political education.

Tietie also said that most of the founders of some political parties only needed a more legitimate pedestal to carry out political negotiations for personal gains rather than for good governance.

“Essentially, in Nigeria, we still run a two-party system irrespective of the 91 political parties registered.

“The fundamental human right under section 40 of the Constitution guarantees any group of persons to form political parties.

“Whereas nothing should be taken from that right, it is essential that the right should not be abused by creating problems for the electoral system.

“Now that Nigeria does not have an electronic voting system, such large number of parties on the ballot papers will end up creating more political confusion rather than political education. ”

Tietie said that most of the parties were weak and not active because they did not have any political relevance in the first place since they were formed as mere extension of political ambition of a few.

He said that most of the founders used them as a platform for political negotiations and that was why they could easily adopt or endorse candidate from another party.

He said that the parties were just for titular purposes, and that most of them needed to be de-registered.

According to a document made available by YIAGA AFRICA, on Feb. 16, 2019, Nigeria will hold elections for the positions of the president, 109 members of the Senate and 306 members of House of Representatives.

The Executive Director of YIAGA AFRICA, Mr Samson Itodo, said that in all, a total of 470 positions would contest in the first round of the 2019 elections.

Itodo said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that by virtue of section 133 and 134 of the 1999 constitution, only parties with national spread could win presidential election.

He said that the contest, therefore, would be between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Most political parties are weak in terms of national spread, presence and structure and therefore lack the capacity to immediately challenge the unceasing dominance by the two major political parties.

“The vast majority of the registered political parties are also weak and only able to contest in very few constituencies.

“Many of these parties are less than 20 per cent of the entire constituencies for the Senate and less than 15 per cent of the total constituencies for the House of Representatives. ”

Itodo said that from the foregoing, it is evident that many of the political parties did not have the structure to win elections at the presidential level.

He said that based on this rationale, it appeared that despite crowded races in the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives contest, only five parties would likely make significant gains in 2019.(NAN)
ATAB/BOLA/AMY
Edited by Bola Akingbehin and Abdullahi Yusuf

Al-Makura appoints Ewuga leader of 2018 Christian Pilgrims

Appointment
By Sunday John
Lafia, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Gov Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has appointed Sen Solomon Ewuga, PDP chieftain and former Deputy Governor, as the leader of the 2018 Christian Pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Mr Musa Oloko, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this on Friday in Lafia, at the 2018 Christian Pilgrims orientation exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Ewuga came second during the PDP governorship primaries in the state.

Ewuga, who was represented by an aide, Joseph Mathew, expressed gratitude to the governor for finding him worthy of the appointment.

He promised to render exemplary service, and cautioned the pilgrims against actions that could embarrass the state.

Ewuga specifically appealed to pilgrims, who had plans to abscond while in Israel, to drop the idea as anyone involved would be deported and sanctioned. (NAN)
SDJ/JI/ETS

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Edited by Joseph Idika and Ephraims Sheyin

Farming
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Dec.28, 2018 (NAN) The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) says it will sustain its campaign for Ebonyi farmers to engage in dry season farming.

Mr Sunday Ituma, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD-VCDP, made this known on Friday in Abakaliki during a knowledge-sharing forum with benefitting farmers to evaluate the programme’s activities in the state in 2018.

Ituma said that one-season farming practice was no longer in vogue and profitable, stressing that dry season farming had commenced in some areas in the state with encouraging results.

“Dry season farming is practiced in areas surrounded by water bodies, especially those along the Cross River axis in Ikwo, Izzi among others,” he said.

According to the SPC, the programme is working well to provide irrigation facilities for farmers in spite of being capital-intensive.

“We are still with the design of the irrigation infrastructure to be cited at Ezillo, Ishiellu Local Government Area though the cost is not what the programme can handle.

“We, however, have other options which include sharing the cost with the state government or funding it in the additional phase of the project which we are hopeful will come,” he said.

He said that the programme was however still exploring other areas to ensure that adequate water was provided for farmers to embark on dry season farming.

“The water-level in Ebonyi is low in contrast to some areas such as Niger where one can drill less-than 10 metres and source water to sustain his agricultural productions.

“We intend to test-run this tube-well technology because the usage of boreholes is hard for farming,” he said.

Ituma said that the various interventions of IFAD-VCDP in the state such as the establishment of a seed laboratory for improved yield of farmers’ crops.

“This seed laboratory will ensure that farmers stop recycling their harvests as seeds because it continues to diminish their yields instead of increasing it.

“We have also intervened in areas of infrastructures such as roads and market stalls, processing centres, aggregation centres and provision of inputs.

“We have also directly supported farmers with matching grants and provision of solar powered boreholes in six locations,” he said.

Mrs Cynthia Edeze, the best-IFAD—VCDP youth farmer in Ebonyi, said that she greatly benefited from IFAD-VCDP’s interventions which improved her farming practices.

“In 2017, I harvested 2, 000 bundles of cassava from an average of two hectares and sold 1, 500 bundles of which I sold 1,200 bundles to IFAD-VCDP.

“I cultivated three hectares in 2018 but sold each of the 1, 500 bundles for N1, 300 and realised a total of N1.9million,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other beneficiaries of IFAD-VCDP intervention also shared their success stories as the participants highlighted areas the programme should improve upon.

The participants also received tutorials from top IFAD-VDCP officials, insurance and other financial institutions, among others. (NAN)
RCO/VIV/GY
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Grace Yussuf

Peace

By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, reiterated his appeal to all Nigerians to continue to live in peace to enable the nation witness giant strides in all fields of human endeavour.

The President made the appeal in Gombe at the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, organised by the Centre for Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President was represented at the occasion by Malam Suleiman Hassan, Minister of Environment.

He said: “We must strive to live in peace with one another. We must try and increase our intimacy or relationship amongst ourselves which will further strengthen our ties as a nation.

“This administration is not relenting to secure peace for our nation to grow further and to achieve such peace, we must increase our knowledge.

“Knowledge, both Islamic and Western, is an important recipe for peace and security.’’

Buhari also urged Nigerians to be of good conducts as the nation was preparing for the 2019 general elections.

The presidents further the people to shun hate speech and other undemocratic actions that could threaten the country peaceful co-existence.

In his remarks, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, called on the participants to hold firm the tenets of Islam as a guiding light throughout the competition.

The chairman, who was represented by Prof. Sani Abdulmumuni, Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Maiduguri, said the competition would strengthen the knowledge of Islam in youths.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, thanked the organisers for sustaining the competition over the years.

Alhaji Isa Pantami,  the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),Abuja, who is the Quest speaker stressed the need for Muslim faithful to always reflect on what the Holy Qur’an says.

Ibrahim, who stressed that tolerance and peace were necessary for Muslim faithful, emphasised that killing of an innocent soul, irrespective of religious belief, was un-Islamic.

In his speech, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State assured the participants of the state government support toward achieving the objective of the competition.

NAN reports that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory,(FCT)  are participating in the competition which holds between Dec. 28 and Jan.5, 2019. (NAN)
UP/MOL/DUA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Dada Ahmed