Blog

Pilgrims
By Sunday John
Lafia (Nasarawa), Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, has urged intending Christian pilgrims to Israel to desist from any plan to abscond while in the Holy land.

Mr Musa Oloko, the Executive Secretary of the board, gave the advice on Friday in Lafia during the 2018 orientation for the intending pilgrims from the state.

According to him, pilgrims from the state have kept good records in the past and the board intends to surpass the previous performance.

The executive secretary said that Gov. Umaru Al-Makura had increased the number of state sponsored seats from 103 in 2017 to 179 in 2018 because he was impressed by the board’s performance.

He explained that the state government sponsored 120 people, various local government areas sponsored 50 people and nine people sponsored themselves.

Oloko said that the board had taken precautionary measures to avoid any conduct by any pilgrim that would bring embarrassment to the state.

”We have constituted committees that will take care of all of you and ensure that you are properly taken care of throughout the exercise.

”Committees such as spiritual and counselling to ensure that the purpose of the pilgrimage, which include prayers for peace and unity in the country is adhered to.

”The various committees and their leaders will be in every bus to ensure acceptable conduct by all of you while in the Holy land,” he added.

The secretary therefore assured all intending pilgrims that the board had already made arrangement for hotel accommodation, adding that they would be airlifted on Jan. 6 from Abuja airport.

Sen. Solomon Ewuga, leader of the team urged the intending pilgrims not to indulge in any conduct that would bring disrepute to the state.

Ewuga, who was represented by John Matthew, promised to provide an exemplary leadership to make the pilgrimage exercise a success.  (NAN)
SDJ/FF/GY
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Grace Yussuf

NANFeatures/Vol.12/No.148/2018 (Dec. 28)

Sustaining home-grown technology for self-reliance beyond 2019

A News Analysis by Gabriel Agbeja, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

One of the inspiring and promising remarks of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology at the end of 2018 get-together in Abuja recently, was that the Federal Government would intensify efforts at strengthening home-grown technology for the purpose of making the country self-reliant.

Further to his remarks, he restated that the ministry had inaugurated National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials, Products and Services, to ensure sustainability,

He said that Nigeria would save N3.6 trillion from overall import in five years and create more than four million jobs with the implementation of the strategy.

“It is our intention to ensure national capacity to locally-produced acceptable high-quality raw materials, products and services.

“We have successfully formulated Nigeria’s new National Policy on Leather Production; the first of its kind in the history of our nation since independence in 1960.

“This will fast track sustainable development of leather technology that will help to boost industrialisation and enhance growth in our domestic economy.

“By deploying resources to commercialise research findings, new products and service will be created for new jobs, it will reduce poverty and improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

“It will also help in building strong and resilient domestic economy that is competitive and sustainable’’, Onu said.

Onu also observed that the Presidential Order Number 5 had opened new opportunities for Nigerian professionals to arrest capital flight, strengthen local capacity and promote local manpower development for the good the nation.

“The ministry successfully formulated high nutrient density biscuit for the children to complement school feeding programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“This will further nurture our young ones with adequate nutritional requirements that will enable them to become productive citizens for sustainable development,’’ he said.

He said the ministry had created a strong platform for the development of indigenous technology, noting that the number of patents secured with the assistance of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), had risen to 54 as against six in 2015 when he became the minister.

He also said that the ministry had progressed to an advanced stage on the local production of solar power electronic-voting solution with cloud-based collection of election results capability.

“Solar electronic voting solution will further enhance e-voting and help Nigeria in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

“The ministry had also recorded major breakthrough by successfully deploying genetic engineering technique in production of two varieties of cotton that are high-yielding and resistant to devastating attack of worms.

“The technique will increase cotton production in the country, as well as reactivate textile industries that used to be the second largest employer of labour in the 1960s and 1970s,’’ he said.

In the light of the government’s commitment to growing and sustaining home-grown technology for self-reliance, the Nigerian Academy of Science, called on the Federal Government to allocate one per cent of the annual budget to Research and Development.

Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the former president of the academy, observed that no nation could attain greatness without science, technology and innovation.

“Increase in financial support towards research activities will advance the nation in a sustainable manner.

“Investing in human resources is also essential to expand the knowledge frontier to move the nation forward.

“Human resources development is the aggregate value of comfort to life, through agriculture and food security, rural development, water and environment, education, health, transportation and economy, among others.

“Researchers in developing countries should therefore focus primarily on aspects of knowledge expansion that relate to human welfare.

“The purpose of research, especially in science and technology, is to expand the knowledge frontier through investment in human capital and thereby innovating research for technology innovations is essential,’’ he said.

Further to this advice, Mr Bitrus Nabasu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, urged relevant stakeholders to continue their support to the government to ensure that various research findings were converted into products and services.

He observed that there were strong signs that technology could do for Nigeria what it had done for China, South Korea, India and the U.S., among other countries.

“I will like to appreciate the minister for his effort at repositioning the ministry to serve as the bedrock of economic growth in the nation’’, Nabasu said.

Similarly, some scientists called on the Federal Government to redouble its efforts in using science, technology and innovation for accelerated industrialisation for national development.

Dr Adeneye Talabi, the former Director, Technology Acquisition and Adaption, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, said that there should be constant improved financing of scientific research works for advancement of indigenous technology.

He said that such efforts would make the nation to be less-dependent on the developed countries in many sectors of the economy.

According to him, human resources and the abundant natural resources of the country ought to be properly harnessed for development.

Dr Femi Aluko of Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said that proper spending on research would enhance home-grown technology to a reasonable level.

According to him, such effort will advance Nigeria to become a crucial global competitor in science and technology among developing countries.

Insisting that the nation needed technological inputs to really excel, Aluko said that Nigeria ought to deepen efforts in research and development to catch up with some Asian countries that were once in the same level of technology.

“The Asian Tigers such as Indonesia, India, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia and China among, others were once on the same level of technology development with Nigeria.

“But these countries have been making progress since 1960s in an impressive manner while Nigeria has remained stagnant,’’ he said.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 

Murder
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday ordered
a security guard, Usman Abdulkareem to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison for allegedly killing his colleague.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. Kusanu said the accused would remain remanded, pending the outcome of legal advice by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The accused, who is being tried for murder, was alleged to have hit his colleague, Augustine Musa, 34, whom he accused of gossiping about him, a development he said got him infuriated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abdulkareem’s plea was not taken as the court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute such matter.

The Investigative Police Officer (IPO), ASP Gafar Oderinde, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 18, at Dangote Oil Refinery, Idasho Town, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos state by 9 p.m.

The offence contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and prescribes death sentence for upon conviction.

The Magistrate adjourned until Jan. 30, 2019 for DPP legal advice. (NAN)
OAT/JI/DUA

Editing by Joseph Idika/Dada Ahmed

A’Ibom: Ecstasy in Uyo as APC flags off national campaign

Campaign

Isaiah Eka/Sunday Bassey

Uyo, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Godswill Akpabio International stadium is already filled to the brim moments before the flag-off of the APC National Campaign for the 2019 elections.

The stadium was decorated with posters with inscriptions “Buhari and Ekere Together We prosper’’; Next Level 2019 Buhari and Ekere’’; Yes to Buhari and Ekere; Sen. Owan Eno for 2019 in Cross River State; and `Ete Amedio’ (Papa Welcome)’’.

Other posters including “APC, Next Level Nigeria: Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Muhammadu Buhari’’, among others have also adorned the stadium.

Security situation is tight in and around the stadium as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Army, DSS and other paramilitary personnel are on standby to ensure security and hitch-free campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all entrances leading to the stadium have been cordoned off by security personnel to ensure a hitch-free campaign flag-off.

Vehicular movements have also been restricted around the stadium, while vehicles that conveyed supporters have been parked along adjourning streets.

Ambulances are also on standby in case of any emergencies.

Different cultural troupes from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom perform and chant solidarity songs even as they await President Buhari’s arrival as at about 2.30 p.m.

Hawkers of various goods, souvenirs, and food and sundry items are also having a field day as they sell their wares.

Some of the hawkers shout “APC Bread”; “Ekere groundnut”; Buhari “Water melon”; “Buhari mineral”; “Buhari milk”; and “Nsima Ekere egg”, among others.

Speaking to NAN, Mr Aniekan Nelson who hails from Ikot Abia Ward two in Obot Akara described the event as colourful.

“As you can see Akwa Ibom is APC. We will give Buhari and Ekere as well as all APC candidates 100 per cent vote, come 2019 elections,’’ he said.

Also Mrs Inimfon Abasi Nelson, a candidate for Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency, thanked God for making the event to hold in Akwa Ibom.

“It is a privilege for us to have the President flag off the APC Campaign in Akwa Ibom. We are proud to have him here” Nelson said.

She also expressed optimism that President Buhari would be re-elected in 2019, while Nsima Ekere would be elected as the next governor of Akwa Ibom.

She also commended the people of the state for coming out en masse to witness the APC Campaign flag-off. (NAN)

IE/SDB/DOE/AMY

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Abdullahi Yusuf

Theft

By Dorcas Elusogbon
Ile-Ife (Osun), Dec 28, 2018 (NAN) A 26-year-old man, Oni Aro, on Friday appeared before
an Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife for alleged theft of property worth N133,500 belonging to Mrs Kemisola Olasunkanmi.
The Magistrate, Mr Olalekan Ijiyode, however, granted Aro bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ijiyode said the sureties should swear to affidavit of means and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He further said that one of the sureties should be a civil servant of any grade level, while the other surety should be related to the accused.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aro, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the accused committed the offence around 4.30 a.m., on Nov. 2, 2018 at the Health Science Lecture Theatre, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
Osanyintuyi said that the accused allegedly stole one Samsung laptop computer, one Infinix hot 5 phone, a purse, a Notebook phone, a lamp, a cardigan, one bag, one calculator and one extension box.
He listed other items allegedly stolen by the accused to include material valve and N1,500 cash, all valued at N133,500 belonging to the complainant.
He said that the offence contravened sections 383 and 390 (9) of the Crimina Law of Osun, 2002.
The case was adjourned to Jan 1, 2019 for mention. (NAN)
EDA/EOB/USO
Edited by Edith Bolokor/Sam Oditah

Campaign
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is participating in the 2018 Carnival Calabar street party as part of its Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) campaign, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Dr Frankland Briyai, made the disclosure in Calabar on Friday during an interaction with journalists.

Briyai said that the commencement of the event was part of the commission’s measures to sensitise members of the public on their civic responsibilities.

‘‘This is the third time that we are participating in the Carnival but this year’s event is very crucial because of the 2019 election which comes very close.

‘‘It is part of our responsibility to educate and enlighten the public on their civil responsibilities ahead of the elections.

‘‘What they need to do and what they should not do before, during and after the elections.

‘‘For example, they should not sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) because these are their tickets to vote for the candidate of their choice.

‘‘Also they should put their PVCs in their wallet to avoid damaging it; they should come out to vote and avoid violence after voting,’’ Briyai said.

The commissioner also disclosed that over 70 per cent of the PVCs of people who registered in the state had been delivered and distributed to all the INEC offices in the 18 local government areas of the state.

‘‘So far, over 70 per cent of the PVCs for the state have been collected and we hope that before the February elections, all others will be available for collection.

‘‘I,therefore, use the opportunity of the carnival to appeal to those that are yet to collect their PVCs to visit any of INEC offices in the Local Government Areas where they registered to collect them,’’ he said.

Briyai described Carnival Calabar as a globally recognised event, hence the commission decided to join the street party as a non-Competitive Band in form of public enlightenment exercise.

He enjoined the electorate to take advantage of INEC’s participation in the carnival to ensure free, fair and violence-free elections in the state.

Also speaking, Mr Oluwole Uzi, Director of VEP in INEC, said the participation of INEC in the Carnival Street party was to take voter education to the people.

Uzi said it was part of the commission’s policy to integrate voter education into the socio-cultural, religious and sporting activities of the people.

NAN reports that over seven different bands are participating in the Carnival Calabar street party. (NAN)
BEN/MOL/AMY
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Abdullahi Yusuf

Cook, 35, pleads guilty to defiling 13-year-old girl

Defilement

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) A 35-year-old cook, Pius Ochang, who is standing trial before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday pleaded guilty to allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl.

Ochang, whose address was not provided, was arraigned on a charge of defiling a minor.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Adeshina Adesanya, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 21, about 11.00 a.m., at Agbara Jesu Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos.

He said that the mother of the victim had sent her daughter to buy a washing detergent, but the child had taken longer than expected.

“Consequently, the mother decided to go in search of her daughter but saw her coming out of the room of the accused,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Adedayo, subsequently ordered the remand of the accused at the Ikoyi Prison and adjourned the case until Feb. 6, for a review of facts and sentencing. (NAN)
OAT/AOS/PIO
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idonije Obakhedo)

Valuables

By Deborah Akpede

Ikeja, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Two security guards — Austin Ugochukwu, 38, and Samuel Wilson, 28 — charged with breaking into their employer’s office and stealing N1.6 million valuables, were on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ugochukwu, a resident of Agege, Lagos and Wilson, who lives at Ayefala in Ogun, were arraigned before a Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The duo, however, denied committing the offences and were admitted to bail in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

Osunsanmi ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 11, at Ojota, Lagos.

He said that the accused burgled the offices of their employer, Pacific Holding, and stole property valued at N1.6 million.

“They stole four laptops, one IPhone 6, one ceramic connector, nine wrist watches and cash, all valued at N1.6 million,’’ he said.

Ayorinde said that the accused, who were on duty and in possession of the office keys, claimed ignorance of the burglary and theft.

“The management reported the case and the accused were arrested,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offences violated Sections 287, 306 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy.

The case was adjourned until Jan. 21, for mention. (NAN)
DOA/IKU/PIO
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Idonije Obakhedo)

Economists raise fear over 2019 budget implementation against falling price of crude

Budget
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Some economists in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, have raised fear concerning the implementation of the 2019 budget against the backdrop of unstable price of crude in the international market.
Messrs Adetunji Adepeju and Phil Aragbada expressed the fear in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday, adding that the situation was compounded by the reduction in OPEC production quota.
They commended the Federal Government’s policy on diversification, saying that the measure would strengthen the nation’s economy and make it less dependent on oil.
They however urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, saying that it would take a while for the economic blueprint of the government to begin to produce result.
Adepeju charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies and parastatal organisations to work assiduously in ensuring full implementation of the budget for the good of all.
He said: “The unstable price of crude in the international market is a major factor in the implementation of the 2019 budget.
“We should also bear in mind that OPEC has reduced the production quota of crude oil.
“We will not be able to meet the target of 2.3 barrels per day (bpd), even though the production level has been about 1.9 bpd due to the activities of the Niger Delta.
“This has caused instability and unless our refineries start working, we will not make some gains.
“Again, the burden on dollars for importing refined petroleum products will be less if we locally produce what we consume.”
He also expressed concern that nothing much could be achieved in terms of capital projects, given that more than 70 per cent of the budget went to recurrent expenditure.
“The fact that about 52 per cent of the recurrent expenditure goes to salaries and emoluments is not a good omen for the next fiscal year.
“What should have been done instead is that our capital expenditure should be more than the recurrent expenditure or at most the two should be at par,” Adepeju said.
He hoped that a lot might be achieved in the power, housing and transportation sectors.
He said, “It is good that the capital expenditure is focused on developing transportation, power and housing.
“If these are done and fully implemented as planned in the budget, it will be a good foundation for development in future.”
He said that it was also gratifying that President Muhammadu Buhari said that the proposed new minimum wage was captured in the budget.
Also, Aragbada said that to reposition the nation’s economy required a lot of sacrifice from all Nigerians.
“Nigerians would have to suffer a while to enjoy the gains later,” he said.
According to him, “the 2019 appropriation bill is an ambitious one not a budget of hope.
“If you read the details, it was based on 50 dollars per barrel,” he said, adding that the fall in the price of crude and production quota would negatively affect the budget implementation.
He said, “We have a combination of two tragedies: reduction in oil price and oil production quota and both situations will affect the implementation of the budget.”
On oil subsidy, he said that the policy was politically expedient but not economically so, adding that the policy favoured mainly the elite.
The economist said that it was advisable for the nation to borrow to finance infrastructure rather than subsidy.
He opined that building infrastructure would help to create employment and also boost disposable income and the economy.
“But when money is borrowed for subsidy, there would be no gain for us economically, just political satisfaction,“ Aragbada said. (NAN)
IBK/OOA/USO
Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Sam Oditah

Housing
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Mr Olayemi Shonubi, the Vice-President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), has appealed to the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for the private sector housing to thrive in 2019.

Shonubi made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

He noted that the performance of the sector had been poor and below expectation in 2018, saying that government should allow the private sector to drive the housing construction sector.

According to him, such move would ensure maximum provisions to curb housing deficit in the country.

He said all government needed was to provide the enabling environment and other necessities, that would aid the operations of the private housing developers.

Shonubi attributed the country housing deficit to lack of full participation of the private sector in housing delivery.

“Government alone cannot provide the needed houses for the country. It needs full participation of the private sector, through a well-programmed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

“This implies leaving housing delivery in the hands of the private sector while government provides the necessary conducive environment,” the NIQS chief said.

Shonubi was optimistic that the active participation of the private sector in housing delivery would have a positive impact on the country’s housing situation.

He noted that for the PPP programme to yield positive result in addressing the nation housing needs, the government needed to go beyond the provision of land and policy frameworks.

According to him, the government needs to grant incentives to private housing developers.

“Examples of such incentives are import duty waivers on building materials, provision of infrastructure and credit facilities through effective mortgage system, tax relief, among others.

“Introduction of realistic building regulations and the removal of restrictive legislation, such as the Land Use Act of 1978, could guarantee a conducive atmosphere for the private sector to operate.”

Shonubi noted that some construction works required some kind of lucrative machines too expensive to afford by the local and private operators.

“What makes foreign operators and contractors seem to be more competent is because they have the financial capacity to secure all kinds of expensive machinery that facilitate construction works.

“The indigenous private operators need government empowerment to effectively operate.” (NAN)
LUC/FLP/DUA
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dada Ahmed