Blog

Museum
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, says financial constraint constituted a huge challenge to the achievement of its goals in 2018.

The Curator, Dr Amos Olorunnipa, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday.

“Financial predicament created a huge challenge during the year.

“We also had inadequate furniture and working materials for staffers; public awareness of the cultural protection and support for the museum development was low.

“There was erratic electricity supply and lack of good drinking water.

“If these challenges are addressed, we will make more progress in 2019,” Olorunnipa said.

He, however, told NAN that, in spite of the challenges, the museum organised capacity building workshops on ‘adire’ fabric and some other homemade products for staff members and other stakeholders.

Olorunnipa said that the museum organised an art and craft exhibition during the year in collaboration with the Galaxy Television.

He added that it held music, dance and cultural programmes for the physically challenged to bring out talents in them and give them a sense of belonging.

“There was much improvement in the Craft Village as we have Juliana Craft Centre and Tailoring Services, among others.

“There was re-construction of the collapsed museum fence, building of additional craft shop within the premises, re-opening of the museum kitchen with a better hand and re-organisation of the antiquity storage collection to world standards.

“We were able to hold all our international days including International Museum Day and International Day for Monuments and Sites; we had an additional exhibition referred to as Re-Org Exhibition Gallery, among others,” he said. (NAN)
CC/MOL/IGO
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ijeoma Popoola

Former Arsenal Chairman, Hill-Wood, dies at 82

Death

London, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Former Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has died at the age of 82.

Hill-Wood, who became the chairman of the club in 1982 after joining its board in 1962, presided over the appointments of George Graham and Arsene Wenger as managers.

They went on to win five league titles, five FA Cups, the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup between them.

The club, in a statement on Friday said, “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of former chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, at the age of 82.”

Ill-health forced Hill-Wood to step down from the position in June 2013.

Arsenal said he was also ‘instrumental’ in the successful move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium in 2006.

“Peter and his family’s influence on the club cannot be understated… Our thoughts are with his wife Sally and his children Sarah, Julian and Charles,” the statement, posted on the club’s website, concluded.

Born in Kensington, London, on Feb. 25, 1936 and died on Dec. 28, 2018, Hill-Wood attended Eton College. (NAN)

KIA/MOL/SA

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Salif Atojoko

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Accident
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Enugu State on Friday, confirmed the death of three persons and 15 others injured in an accident that happened on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who made the confirmation in a statement in Enugu said the accident occurred on Thursday at Ogbaku community in Awgu Local Government area of Enugu State on Thursday by 7p.m.

Amaraizu said that all the dead were women, adding that the accident involved a Mercedez Benz Bus with the registration number ENU 350XZ and a Toyota Hummer Bus registered as XB 205 XPR.

He said that the remains of the dead had been deposited at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu while the injured had been receiving treatment in the hospital.(NAN)
OJI/JI
Editing by Joseph Idika/Dada Ahmed

PVCs 

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi says over 215, 000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be claimed in the state.

Prof. Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi said this at a news conference in Abakaliki on Friday.

“The figure is composite addition to the uncollected PVCs from the 2015, 2017 as well as first and second quarters of 2018 registrations in the state,’’ he said.

He also said that the commission, on December, received additional 97,228 non fresh PVCs representing those PVCs from transfers, mutilations and losses.

Obioma said that out of the 47, 117 uncollected PVCs from the 2015 registration, 15, 204 PVCs had been claimed by their owners, leaving the commission with 31,913 unclaimed PVCs as at Dec. 13.

He also said that out of over 77,397 PVCs from 2017 registrations, about 29,973PVCs were yet to be claimed while 47,424 PVCs had been collected.

The REC also said that 153,125 PVCs were yet to be collected from first and second quarters of 2018 registrations.

He said: “In first quarter of 2018, uncollected PVCs as at Dec. 13 stands at 27,491 PVCs while in the second quarter which ended Aug. 31, out of 138,456 registration only 12, 822 PVCs have been collected.

“We have taken proactive steps in ensuring that all uncollected PVCs in our custody are claimed by their owners before the 2019 general elections.

“Collection is going on very aggressively.

“Collection started first at the ward and local government levels, but due to the yearnings of the people we are almost short of going from one polling unit to the other for the exercise.

“Two weeks ago, we redesigned our strategy and aggressively set up collection points in the remote areas near the polling units.

According to the REC, in a typical ward where there are about 10 to 15 polling units, the commission set up a minimum of three collection points.

He said a collection point would serve about four or five polling units according to how proximate the polling units are to the collection points.

 “We may end up taking the exercise to polling units if we have more resources from our national headquarters to provide logistics.“

According to Rec, the commission will ensure that the process of collection is simplified with minimum inconvenience to the citizens of the state.

He, however, reminded the electorate of the commission’s policy which stipulates that “no PVC will be collected by proxy.”  

Obioma said that INEC had developed a number of strategies, including security, transport; media strategy plans and training for the INEC staff to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

 “Recently, political parties and their candidates for both national and state elections signed a peace accord to abide by the electoral laws and make elections in Ebonyi violence free to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of 2019 general elections.

“We hope and pray to God that the exercise will not only be symbolic but that parties will abide by the provisions of the peace accord.

 “INEC under our watch in Ebonyi will ensure that all votes must count in the elections and candidates and their political parties will be provided with equal level playing field in the elections.’’ (NAN)
ODO/ENN/DUA

Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Dada Ahmed

Stakeholders call for more rural electrification projects in 2019

Power

By Yunus Yusuf

Lagos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Some stakeholders in the power sector have urged the Federal Government to invest more in rural electrification projects to boost power supply in the country in 2019.

They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos on Friday while evaluating the challenges of the power sector in 2018 and its prospects for the New Year.

Mr Bolade Soremekun, Chairman, Rubitec Solar Nig. Ltd., said developing rural electrification through incremental power supply would enable every megawatt to be harnessed and made available to the people.

Soremekun said the power sector in 2018 was not encouraging, especially in areas of grid power, transmission and distribution, and hat the distribution companies had not recorded any major improvements since 2013 to 2018.

He, however, said the sector could be better in 2019 if the Federal Government granted incentives to private investors to invest in mini-grids.

“Our expectations in 2019, is that it will be a great year in the sense that there will be various investments internationally and locally for rural communities.

“It will come through million dollar investments in mini-grids through the World Bank 350 million dollar intervention. AfDB’s 150 million dollar, Federal Government counterpart funding as well as local and international private Investment.

“Discos need to embrace interconnected mini-grids by partnering with investors in the sector. Their cash investments will be low, but they will reduce losses, collect more revenue, and utilise redundant distribution lines.

“They will reach more customers, especially in underserved and unserved urban and rural communities,” he said.

The Rubitec boss called for more investment in transmission lines and removal of bottlenecks in the system.

He advised the government to focus on distributed energy and renewable energy instead of the traditional Generation-Transmission- Distribution model.

Soremekun suggested that the government could give more incentives to distribute more renewable energy, saying that would impact greatly on the sector.

He advised the Rural Electrification Agency to invent itself, and that it was germane for the establishment to focus on the promotion of off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy solutions, especially in the rural areas.

He also advised the agency to work with the organised private sector to achieve accelerated rural electrification for over 70 per cent of Nigerians.

The Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Mr Kola Adesina, said: “2018 was the year of blame game.”

Adeshina said, “In the relay race of electricity supply, whenever the ball dropped, rather than rally to resolve and move on, public spat and grandstanding was the order of the day.

“In 2019, we need better co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation in order to deliver.

“While we cannot rely only on grid supply, we should know that it’s only the grid that supports industrialisation and big employment/revenue enhancement.

“The fundamentals must be addressed in terms of shortfalls in tariffs and revenue. Enablers must be provided to ensure that each stakeholder meet their obligations.”

The Executive Director, PowerUp Initiatives for Electricity Rights (PowerUp Nigeria), Mr Adetayo Adegbemle, said 2018 was a year with many promises for the power sector, noting that progress was made in the renewable energy sector.

Adegbemle said the government also increased power generation to 7,000MW, though the Discos could not distribute more than 5000MW, adding that the transmission also struggled to deliver tangible progress.

He urged the government to ensure the independence of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by allowing it to function more and ensure it is not funded by the Discos anymore.

“Transmission should be broken down. Else it remains a sinkhole. There is no rationale behind Nigeria continuing with the single grid.

“Gas remains an expensive source of fuel, we should deregulate and synergise more fuel sources.

“Off grid installations should be encouraged so that many unserved and underserved areas can be taken off the grid,” he said.

The expert said none of the Discos had a functional technical partner, hence there should be an independent review of the performance of the Discos as a basis for the renewal of their licenses.

“The Meter Assets Providers (MAP), Regulations was released since March, up till now, it has remained in the cooler.

“NERC should enforce the MAP and bring succour to thousands of Nigerians suffering under the heavy weight of overbilling.

“None of the Discos has completed its customer enumeration, five years after taking over. Sanctions should be given to defaulting companies.

“Unless we take painful but serious decisions, foreign investment into the Power Sector will continue to elude Nigeria, and we’ll continue to wallow in this darkness,” he added.

NAN reports that Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Nov. 12 said the government had delivered visible results and recorded progress across different sectors, including housing, road construction and electricity provision.

Fashola said this while delivering the third year progress report speech in Abuja.

The minister said his team had improved on what they met on ground by increasing generation from 4000MW to 7000MW, transmission from 5000MW to 7000MW and distribution from 2690MW to 5,222 MW. (NAN)

YO/CHOM/SA

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Salif Atojoko

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Donation

By Martha Agas

Jos, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) The Shepherd House International Assembly Church in Jos on Friday donated food items to widows, orphans and indigent people as part of the Christmas celebrations.

The resident pastor of the church, Rev. Tajan Moltok, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the gesture was to extend love to the needy and the poor.

Moltok said that God demonstrated his love to mankind through the birth of his son, Jesus Christ.

“God sent his only son to die for our sins.

“ So, Christmas should also be a time to demonstrate such acts of unconditional love and kindness, especially, to the less privileged,’’ Moltok said.

He said the act was to encourage the beneficiaries to look up to God in their time of need.

The cleric urged members of his church and the public to always show love to widows and orphans by helping them.

He said such acts would always open doors of more blessings for them.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Lucy Wodah, speaking to NAN appreciated the church for its kind gesture and, in particular, for remembering the widows and orphans.

“I lost my husband in 2009 and I was left with four children to cater for.

“I thank the church for this kindness and ask for more blessings from God for this act of love,” she said.

NAN reports that the items were donated by the   members of the church. (NAN)

MAA/GOM/PAD
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Peter Dada

Tax

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Mr Oseni Elamah, the Executive Secretary of Joint Tax Board (JTB) says ongoing reforms by the board will address issue of double taxation in the country.

Elamah said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Abuja on Friday.

He said awareness on the amendments to the Taxes and Levies Act and others efforts aimed at streamlining taxes collectible by various tiers of government were being promoted.

According to him, state governments are being encouraged to harmonise their tax laws to ensure that citizens do not suffer double taxation.

“The notion of multiple taxation is a misconception in the lexicon of the average Nigerian.

“What many refer to as multiple taxation occurs when more than one tier of government collects same or similar taxes from an individual or business.

“What we do have may be referred to as double taxation, albeit at the domestic level as the concept of double taxation are also present at the international level.

“While we recognise that there may have been instances in the past where taxpayers were double taxed, there are currently efforts to address this issue” he said.

Elamah said the board under his leadership intended to consolidate on the gains so far recorded and to also ensure that there was zero incidence of double taxation in the country.

He disclosed that JTB was also at the forefront of driving reforms of the existing tax laws to remove ambiguous provisions that might give rise to double or arbitrary taxation.

“Under the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) and reforms initiatives of the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), a number of proposed amendments have been made.

“It is expected that the outcomes of all these interventions will not only simplify but clarify the tax laws and create minimal room for the incidence of double taxation and more tax friendly environment,” he said. (NAN)

MS/JTJ

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede

Pageant

By Christian Njoku

Calabar Dec. 28, 2018 (NAN) Miss Congo, Dorcas Kasinde has  won the 2018 Miss Africa Beauty Pageant hosted by the Cross River Government.

The contest took place in the early hours of Friday at the Calabar International Conference Centre.

Kasinde, who beat Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnaemeka and Zambia’s Gladys Kayumba to the second and third positions respectively to clinch the crown, went home with $35,000 and a sport utility vehicle.

She was crowned by the winner of the 2017 edition of the  pageant, Miss Gaseangwe Balopi of Botswana.

Earlier, the Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, said it was time for Africans to appreciate themselves.

Ayade said that Africa does need the western media to tell its story, which they always centered on poverty and wars.

” This is a celebration of African beauty, brain and heritage; the world will see what African brain and beauty is all about.

” The judges should come down and look at those things that make a woman truly African; it is not just the skin colour.

“Tunisians and Moroccans are light-skinned but they are Africans,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 25 countries participated in the event.

They include Cameroon, Morocco, Tanzania, Togo and Ghana.

Nigerian singers Innocent Idibia (2face) and Tiwatope Savage-Balogun ( Tiwa Savage) entertained the audience. (NAN)
CBN/IGO
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Mr Abdullahi Mohammadu, CG, NSCDC

Peaceful

By Blessing Odega

Jos, Dec.28, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plateau Command has described the 2018  Christmas celebration as one of the “most peaceful” celebrations recorded in Jos-Bukuru metropolis in the recent time.

Obasa Tanimu, the command’s Public Relations Officer disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.

He said the command recorded a crime-free celebration within the metropolis and commended the residents for their cooperation during the period.

He enjoined them to sustain the cooperation and desist from indulging in nefarious activities capable of jeopardising the peace enjoyed in the state.

Tanimu said that the outstation offices of the command in the other local government areas also recorded peaceful celebration.

He, however, mentioned the killing of five persons in Fa’an, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

He said the command had deployed its officers and men to work with other security agencies in the state to ensure a peaceful New Year celebration in the next few days.

The PRO also called on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards to desist from any act that can breach peace.

He urged residents to go about their legitimate businesses and report any suspicious movement either by groups or individuals to NSCDC or other security agencies for prompt response. (NAN)

UBO/JTJ

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede

Defence
Liverpool (UK), Dec. 28, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Liverpool’s impressive climb to the top of the Premier League has been built on the foundations of a solid back-line, centre-back Virgil van Dijk said.
Dutchman Van Dijk has become the lynchpin of a defence that has conceded only seven goals in 19 matches and helped Liverpool move six points clear.
He joined the club from Southampton in January for a reported 75 million pounds.
However, the Netherlands captain said the camaraderie in Juergen Klopp’s side has played a major role in helping unbeaten Liverpool tighten up at the back.
“I tell them, it is all of us, all of us together, working day in and day out.
“Sometimes I have not that good a game, maybe then (left-back Andrew) Robertson, maybe someone else, that is always how it is in football.
“It’s about how we do it together. ‘Together’ is the key in this otherwise you cannot stop conceding goals,” Van Dijk told the club’s official website.
The Merseyside club top the table on 51 points, six ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and seven ahead of defending champions Manchester City, who they visit in a key contest on Jan. 3.
Liverpool are now bookmakers’ favourites to claim a first English title for 29 years.
However, the Dutchman said the club had a long way to go if they wished to convert the strong start into a successful campaign.
“What’s important is we need to keep going; we cannot be satisfied with what we have right now because we have nothing at the moment,” he said.
Liverpool will be looking to maintain their advantage at the top when they host fifth-placed Arsenal in the league on Saturday. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/SA
Edited by Salif Atojoko
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