Blog

Clothes
By Aisha Ahmed
Kano, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Second hand clothes’ dealers popularly known as Yan’gwanjo are smiling to the banks as their businesses are booming in Kano due to the harmattan season, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN correspondent’s checks around the metropolis revealed that several temporary markets and shops had been created for the sale of second hand clothes.

Three traders, who spoke with our Correspondent, said that the business had been profitable since a month ago when preparations for the Christmas and the harmattan season.

A shop owner at Janbulo in Gwale area of Kano, Malam Sanusi Ado, explained that he ventured into the business because it was always lucrative during harmattan period.

He stated that there was no second hand market close to his community so he decided to add it to his business of selling provisions.

Ado, however, said he received a high level of patronage as people trooped to his shop to buy the clothes daily.

Another seller of the clothes at Kofar Wambai market, Malam Abdulwahab Idris, said he usually made about N20,000 or more on a weekly basis from the sales.

He stressed that during harmattan people preferred to buy second hand clothes because, according to him, they are durable than the new ones.

NAN also reports that even women in purdah were not left out in the business as some transact the business from their matrimonial homes.

Malama Salamatu Yahya, a woman in purdah, said her to husband encouraged her to go into the business which led her to buy a reasonable quantity to start the business.

‘‘I informed my neighbours and they bought many of the clothes and since then people from the community have been coming to my house to buy,’’ she said. (NAN)
AAA/MOL/MTM
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Tukur Muntari
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Re-election
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has urged Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 for improved power supply and socio-economic development.
Masari made the call at the inauguration of 1×60MVA, 132/33kv Transformers at the state Transmission Substation on Thursday in Katsina.

He noted that power supply in the country had Improve greatly during the present administration.

“I was reliably informed that the power supply in the country has increased to 8,100 MW with the lesser amount of money spent compared to what was spent by the previous administrations.

“So, we all need President Buhari to continue the good work he is doing at the moment.

“Nigeria has too many big men, but few leaders, top among them is the President Buhari.

“We all need him to be able to continue to render good services to the nation,” he said.

The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Usman Mohammed, also noted that the electricity supply in the country had increased to 8,100 MW.

He said the country was now targeting 20,000 Mega Watts by 2021.

Mohammed also said that increase in electricty would enhance industrialisation and create more employment opportunities to the citizens.

‘’I have no doubt that the newly installed transformers will increase power supply by 48MW in the state and its environs,’’ he said.

‘’It will also assist in boosting the socio-economic activities in the state.” (NAN)
ZI/YI/DUA

Edited by Yahaya Isah/Dada Ahmed

US, Germany, Australia, Canada participate in Calabar Bikers’ Carnival
Bikers
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Competitors from the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia are participating in this year’s Bikers’ Parade in the ongoing Calabar Carnival, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River made this known while fagging-off the event in Calabar on Thursday.
“Some of our friends from various countries of the world are here to participate in the bikers’ parade.
“We have nationals from Germany, US, Canada, Australia and others as you can see,” he said.
According to him, Calabar carnival has become an international brand which draws interest from people all over the world.
The governor said that some unique features had been introduced into this year’s bikers’ parade as well as other events to improve what had been on ground.
“We are going to give you a new version of what Carnival Calabar represents. Today we have added, “Wonder on Wheels 2018 ’’ with a brand of Formula K bikes.
“You will witness displays and things you have never seen before,” Ayade said.
He added that Cross River had a unique history which the carnival represented. (NAN)
BEN/CEO/EMO
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Edited by Chidi Opara/Ejike Obeta

Routes

By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Air Peace has unveiled its plan for the aviation sector in 2019, assuring air travellers of packages including exceptional long-haul flights to Dubai, Sharjah, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg.

The Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.

Onyema urged staff of the airline to gear up to raise the bar of flight services to the travelling public in 2019.

The chairman commended the travelling public for preferring Air Peace and staying loyal to its brand in 2018.

He attributed the success of the airline in four years to the unflinching support its customers, pledging that the carrier would spare nothing in making their experience truly rewarding, exciting and safe.

“2018 was both challenging and exciting for us. It was the year we upped our record of firsts.

“In the year under review, we launched a number of domestic and regional routes under our no-city-left-behind project on the platform of our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper.

“We also made history as the first domestic airline to acquire and register the Boeing 777 aircraft in Nigeria. We have so far acquired four Boeing 777s, with two already delivered.

“We also successfully renewed our International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) after a very rigorous process.

” We also diversified the aircraft in our fleet with the inclusion of six 50-seater Embraer 145 jets, which have so far helped our yuletide operations in no small way,”Onyema said.

According to him, the airline in September signed a deal with American plane maker, Boeing, for the delivery of 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, making Air Peace the first to achieve the feat on the West Coast of Africa.

“We are sincerely grateful to our loyal customers without whose support, preference for our brand and patronage we could not have made a success of the target we set for ourselves in 2018.

” It was quite a challenging year too, given the dire economic situation across the world, but our esteemed customers supported us through it all.

“In 2019, we are going to implement a series of bolder decisions aimed at giving the flying public a truly exciting experience.

” Already, we have begun the expansion of our flight operations to the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) in response to our customers’ wish for a better space to serve them.

“This becomes effective Jan. 2, 2019 with the operation of our Lagos-Akure, Lagos-Asaba, Lagos-Kaduna and Lagos-Port Harcourt NAF Base services from the facility.

” All flights under our subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper will eventually be moved to MMA2,”he said.

Onyema said Air Peace was
also going to give the flying public a reliable, safe, affordable and comfortable alternative on some international routes, including Dubai, Sharjah, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai, London, Houston and Johannesburg.

” Our staff have been wonderful with their commitment and dedication to duty through the years, but 2019 is one year all hands must be on the deck.

“This is to enable us give our customers the best flight experience on the domestic, regional and international routes and make our dear country, Nigeria and West Africa truly proud in the global aviation industry,” he said. (NAN)

WAC/ASO/SOA
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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NSE: Indices down by 0.86% after Christmas break

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed on Thursday on a downward trend after a two-day holiday to observe Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that crucial market indices declined by 0.86 per cent.

Specifically, the All-Share Index lost 274.38 points or 0.86 per cent to close at 31,692.63 compared with 31,967.01 on Monday.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N11.676 trillion shed N100 billion or 0.86 per cent to close at N11.576 trillion.

Dangote Cement recorded the highest loss to lead the laggards’ table, dropping by N6.30 to close at N187.70 per share.

Total Nigeria trailed with a loss of N4 to close at N196, while UACN declined by N1.20 to close at N10.80 per share.

Flour Mills was down by 45k to close at N21.10, while FBN Holdings depreciated by 40k to close at N8.20 per share.

On the hand, Forte Oil led the gainers’ table with N3.10 to close at N34.35 per share.

Conoil Plc. followed with a gain of N2.10 to close at N23.10, while Eterna Oil gained 40k to close at N5 per share.

Nigerian Breweries also appreciated by 40k to close at N82.50, while Air Service added 35k to close at N7.25 per share.

A breakdown of the activity chart indicates that MedView Air was the most active stock, exchanging 146.94 million shares worth N293.89 million.

It was trailed by NEM Insurance with an account of 45.99 million shares valued at N135.56 million, while Transcorp traded 37.50 million shared worth N48.95 million.

Fidelity Bank sold 30.72 million shares valued at N61.08 million, while Access Bank exchanged 30.41 million shares worth N212.97 million.

In all, the volume of shares transacted closed lower as investors bought and sold 452.26 million shares valued at N2.61 billion on 3,520 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 715.04 million shares worth N5.19 billion traded in 2,789 deals on Monday. (NAN)

JNC/ENN/SA

Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Salif Atojoko

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Empowerment
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo in the House of Representatives, Mr Osaigbovo Iyoha, has distributed empowerment materials to more than  3,000 youths.

Iyoha, who also distributed food items to members of his constituents and the less privileged, said the empowerment initiative was to encourage the youths to refrain from social vices.

The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) reports that the event took place in Benin on Thursday.

Iyoha,  who is the current Chief Whip in the Edo House of Assembly, urged the beneficiaries to ensure continuity of the APC-led administration.

He said the APC had distinguished itself compared with the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Iyoha also said  President Muhammadu Buhari needed a friendly National Assembly to be able to deliver maximally on his campaign promises.

“We all need to send the PDP to the dustbin of history. The PDP needs to be removed from our sub-consciousness by ensuring that you vote the APC.

“This empowerment is to enable you to start on your own. Do not listen to the lies of the PDP.

“ Vote for Buhari and all APC candidates for a successful Nigeria,”  he said. (NAN)
ESI/MAM/OJO
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(Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Mufutau Ojo)

Schools
By Josephine Obute
Lagos, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Patricia Nwabuwa,  a retired immediate Education Director in Lagos State, has advocated for decongestion of schools in the State by building more public schools.

Nwabuwa made the call in an interview with told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of her retirement, also known as “Pens-Down’’ and thanksgiving held in her honour at Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos State.

The former President of Rotary Club International, Nigeria said more schools should be built to decongest the already existing ones.

“In terms of the location, there are some areas in the state without schools at all and children should go to schools nearest to them.

“Because of this lack of schools in proximity, students trek very long distances to get to their schools,’’ the retired director said.

She said that more parents were embracing government schools because they wanted their children to enjoy the free education offered by the State.

Nwabuwa described Lagos as a State that allows level playing ground for all stakeholders without any form of discrimination in students’ admission or recruitment of staff.

“The State is an everyman’s land because it ensures everyone has an equal chance in terms of admission of students into schools and recruitment of staff.’’

She commended the state government for prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

She described her experience as a teacher as great and worthwhile working with the State, adding that it was also quite stressful as a principal and an accounting officer to the school.

Nwabuwa listed some challenges that confronted her while serving as a school principal to include having to manage a very high population of children that outnumbered the staff.

“A major challenge in our schools is the overpopulation of students in classes, yet the principals must manage,’’ she told NAN.

She recently retired as the Principal of Sasa Community Senior High School, Egbeda, after serving in several schools in the state for 35 years. (NAN)
JNEO/AIB/GY
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Grace Yussuf

Infrastructure
Lagos, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in Lagos state, has said that the party will address the infrastructure deficit in the area, if re-elected into power in 2019.
Hamzat, a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, said this at the annual lecture of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) on Thursday.
He said that bridging the infrastructure deficit would help to enhance  the living standard of Lagos residents.
He spoke on the theme, “Bridging the infrastructure gap, the Lagos we know,” said, ” the next APC administration in the state will bridge the existing infrastructure gap.”
He said that building and preserving a mega city, such as Lagos, posed great challenges.
Hamzat, who was the guest speaker at the event, said that to meet the infrastructure need of the state required stronger financial base and innovations.
He said: “The sheer size of funding required in sustaining the infrastructure needs of the city is beyond what a government can unilaterally provide.
“This is where innovation comes in and that is what the APC government will do when we come into power in 2019 by the grace of God and goodwill of all Lagosians.
“The Public Private Partnership (PPP) involvement in the governance will not be an exception,” he said, adding that the next administration would partner with professional bodies and business communities, among others where necessary.
Hamzat further promised that the next APC government would provide more infrastructure and improve on the existing ones to support private businesses and increase the productivity of the people.
He said that there an urgent need to re-position Lagos as the ultimate investment destination for foreign businesses.
He said that Foreign Direct Investment was one of the main drivers for creating and sustaining a vibrant economy.
The APC chieftain further said that the plan of the next administration would be to build an Inter-Modal Transport System by integrating road, rail and water transportation to tackle the problem of transportstion within the Lagos metropolis.
Also, Mr Robbie Owivry, former National Chairman of NICE, said that PPP scheme remained the answer to the nations’ infrastructure and housing gaps.
Owivry also said that government alone could not fix the infrastructure and housing gaps, adding that the project required the participation of the private sector.
He said, “To develop and promote PPP in the provision of infrastructure, there is a need to consider prerequisites and measures to help such partnerships to be effective and produce valuable results.
“There is a need for the creation of a more attractive, open and robust environment that encourages private investment by creating predictability in the procurement process.”
Owivry said that government needed to win investors’ confidence by respecting contractual agreements with private firms.
He further urged the government to provide special incentives and reliefs to encourage private investments, adding that confidence drives investments in any economy.
He advised that PPP on infrastructure financing should be done through a policy that would offer loans to local businesses at low interest rates.
Earlier, Mrs Lola Adetona, the state Chairman of NICE, said that they were ready to partner with the various governments to develop the nation’s infrastructure needs.
Adetona regretted that most Nigerians preferred to deal with foreign engineers, thereby undermining the competence and capabilities of the Nigerian engineers.
She said that more than 80 per cent of construction work were being given to foreign contractors and engineers at the expense of the indigenous ones.
She said, “Indigenous operators particularly in the construction industry have the capability and competence to deliver as good as the foreign ones, if patronised and encouraged.
“Normally, construction work and contracts are supposed to be given to foreign contractors only when there is no indigenous professional that has the competence to do such work,” Adetona said. (NAN)
LUC/OSA/
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Sam Oditah

SMEs
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Dec.  27, 2018 (NAN) The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed an agreement with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) for a 30 million dollar re-guarantee facility to support African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Director, Trade Finance of Afreximbank, Mr Gwen Mwaba, in a statement on Thursday said the facility would help the SMEs in the trade value chain to access funds for their activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement provides for the facility to be used to support the financing needs of African SMEs.

This is aimed at enhancing their access to long term financing, thereby acting as a catalyst to enable them to grow, create more jobs, sustain the existing labour force and develop intra-African and extra-African trade.

According to Mwaba, the re-guarantee facility is aimed at providing comfort to financial institutions in lending to SMEs, which tend to be regarded as a risky segment.

He said that it would enable the financial institutions to transform their short term deposits into long term financing to SMEs.

He said that it would also support Afreximbank’s SME support initiative and AGF strategic plan.

“The facility is expected to support positive social-economic changes among the more than 6,000 SMEs that are expected to gain access to guaranteed loans from African local banks.

“It will thereby contribute to trade development, economic growth and poverty reduction in the continent,” Mwaba said. (NAN)
LCN/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Votes
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Dec. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Coalition of Saraki Advocates for Atiku (COSAA) says it  will deliver six million votes to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,  in the 2019 general elections.

The National Coordinator of the group, Ola Kolawole,  stated this on Thursday at a news conference in Ilorin.

According to him, the primary aim of the campaign group is  to canvass votes from all the 36 states  for the presidential hopeful through a door-to-door mobilisation project.

“The project is aimed at complementing the efforts  of the distinguished Sen. Bukola Saraki, who is the Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign.

“Today, we are very proud that with the available database of our members;  COSAA is set to deliver her six million votes promised to PDP in the 2019 general elections,’’ he said.

Kolawole also said the forum was convened  to pass a vote of confidence on Saraki for his moral and financial support  that had enabled the group to maintain structures in all local governments in the country.

He added that Saraki’s leadership quality in the protection and promotion of  democracy was  worthy of commendation.(NAN)
AUO/AO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)