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Average bus fare decreases in November – NBS
Fare
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the average fare by commuters for bus journey within cities in the country decreased from N193.21 in October to N192.46 in November.
The bureau said this in its Transport Fare Watch (November 2018) report released in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the report, the fare decreased by -0.39 per cent month-on-month and increased by 39. 27 per cent year-on-year.
It noted that states with the highest bus journey fares within city were Abuja (N395.00), Cross River (N320.00) and Kebbi (N280.00).

It said the states with lowest bus fare within city were Rivers (N110.00), Anambra (N110.00) and Bauchi (N100.00).
According to the report, the average fare by commuters for intercity bus journey decreased by -1.54per cent month-on-month and increased by 18.95per cent year-on-year to N1,790.14 in November from N1,818.12 in October.
The bureau named states with highest intercity bus fare to include Abuja FCT (N4,500.00), Plateau (N3,000.00) and Borno (N2,850.00).
It said the states with lowest bus fare within city were Enugu (N1,185.00), Edo (N1,100.00) and Abia (N1,000.00).
It said: “The average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey increased by 2.12per cent month-on-month and by 0.96per cent year-on-year to N32, 804.05 in November from N32,122.76 in October.
“States with highest air fare were Lagos (N40,500.00), Abuja FCT (N38,500.00) and Jigawa (N38,500.00),” the report stated.
According to NBS, the transport fare watch report for November 2018 covered bus journey within the city per drop on constant routes ; intercity bus journey, state route and charge per person. (NAN)
LCN/SA
Edited by Salif Atojoko
================

Tambuwal lauds FG’s commitment to end security challenges in Sokoto

ecurity
By Habibu Harisu
Sokoto, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has lauded the Federal Government for its commitment in dealing with the security challenges in the state and other parts of the country.
Tambuwal made the commendation on Wednesday, when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadiq, visited him at the Government House, Sokoto.
He expressed worry that the state witnessed an increase in crime, especially within the communities on its boundaries with Zamfara and Niger Republic.
He said, “On behalf of the entire people of Sokoto state, we appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and interventions for the safety of lives and property of our people.
“We were under the pressure of security challenges for the past three years from Zamfara axis, leading to the wanton killing of our people in Tabanni Village and the occupation of their land by unknown people.
“We believe that with cordial relationship and working as a team, we will greatly succeed in addressing the situation,” Tambuwal said.
He called for the deployment of military personnel for special operations in the area to contain the phenomenon.
The governor also commended the heads of security formations in the state for their unrelenting efforts to bring the security situation under control.
He said that the efforts would soon begin to yield result, pointing out that the state government
had commenced talks with the authorities of Niger Republic on how best to tackle the menace.
Responding, the Chief of Air Staff said the visit by his team was sequel to the Presidential Directives for them to ascertain the security situation in the area.
He said they had earlier visited Zamfara and Katsina states and would be moving to Adamawa from Sokoto state.
He said that the essence of the tour was to add value to the ongoing operations in the area through enhanced air facility movements, fuelling base and other technical arrangements aimed at achieving success.
He said that the operations were critical to ensure greater security in the country and urged more support from other security agencies.
He underscored the need for the security agencies to work as a team to checkmate any attempts to undermine the unity of Nigeria.
Sadiq called on Nigerians to assist the security agencies with useful information that would help them to achieve the desired national objective.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Air Staff inspected the parts of the airport designated for their use and also inaugurated a water scheme at 119 Air Force Forward Operation Base in Sokoto. (NAN)
HMH/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

(more…)

Robbery

By Moses Omorogieva

Lagos, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Four policemen attached to the Ijanikin Division of the Lagos State Police Command have been arrested for alleged robbery.

The men were said to have robbed one Mr Theodore Ifunnaya, a Nigerian based in Togo, of 350,000 CFA (about N221, 508) at Iyana-Era in Badagry area of the state on Dec. 17.

Spokesman of the command, Mr Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday to newsmen.

Oti said that the arrest was in the spirit of the command’s zero tolerance for corruption, and disclosed that the officers were already facing orderly room trial.

According to him, if they are found guilty, they will be dismissed.

He gave the names of the policemen as Insp. Victor Amiete, Sgt. Gbemunu Samuel, Sgt. Afolabi Oluwaseun and Cpl. Adigun Omotayo.

Oti said that the matter had been transferred to the Provost Section of the command for investigation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the officers subjected their victim to rigorous search and interrogation during which they discovered the money on him.

They were alleged to have bundled him into their patrol vehicle to Ijanikin police division where they seized the money and invited a Bureau de Change operator to exchange the CFA for Naira.

NAN gathered that, satisfied that they had subdued the victim, they allegedly released him and gave him N2, 000 to go.

It was further learnt that after his freedom from the policemen, the man narrated his ordeal to his family, which subsequently lodged a complaint to the Area Commander, Mr Hope Okafor.

The area commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was said to have intervened and recovered the money and arrested the policemen. (NAN)

MIO/OPI

Policemen
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Four policemen attached to Ijanikin Division in Lagos State Police Command have been arrested for allegedly robbing one Theodore Ifunnaya of 350,000 CFA (about N221,508).

The police spokesman in Lagos, CSP Chike Oti, said that the victim was a Nigerian based in Togo.

Oti said that the policemen faced dismissal if found guilty, stressing, however, that the victim was not stripped naked during interrogation as being alleged in some quarters.

Oti said that the affected policemen had been transferred to the Provost Section of the Command for investigation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the officers allegedly accosted the victim coming from Togo to celebrate Christmas in Nigeria at Iyana – Ira, Badagry area on Dec. 17.

It was learnt that the suspects subjected the victim to tortuous search and interrogation, where they discovered the sum of money with him.

They were alleged to have bundled him into their patrol vehicle to Ijanikin police station where they seized his money and invited a bureau de change operator to exchange the CFA currency into Naira equivalent.

NAN gathered that having satisfied they had subdued their victim with a threat, they allegedly released him and gave him N2000 out of his money, to enable him locate his Lagos residence.

It was further learnt that the victim, after regaining freedom from his alleged police captors, told his family all he went through, which led to a complaint to Area ‘K’ Commander, ACP Hope Okafor.

ACP Okafor was said to have intervened by recovering the stolen money and arrested the erring policemen for interrogation. (NAN)
MIO/WOJ
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Edited by Wale Ojetimi

Okonjo-Iweala tasks government on community development

Community
Umuda, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on the three tiers of government in Nigeria to pay serious attention to the development of the rural communities in the country.
Okonjo-Iweala made the call on Wednesday during the 12th bi-ennial home-coming (Ejealo 2018) and N25 million fundraiser for the construction of a craft centre at Umuda Isingwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia.
She said that no country in the world could develop without giving attention to its rural communities.
She therefore urged Nigerians to go back to their communities, saying “this is the only way we are going to develop the country.”
“It is not just from the federal level but we have to start from the grassroots to support the people in the village.
“Everyone who belongs to a community has to help that community because the beginning of development in a country lies in a community,” she said.
The former minister, who was honoured on the occasion for her meritorious service to the community, expressed joy that her husband’s community recognised her.
She prayed for peace to reign in Nigeria as it geared up for the general elections, adding that God should see the nation through its difficult political period.
She said: “We want peace in the country. We want things to go well. We want lives to improve for the average Nigerians.
“We are praying that 2019 will bring good things for Nigerians.”
In an address of welcome, Mr Emmanuel Onwuegbu, the President-General of Umuda Welfare Union, said “Ejealo Festival” was a period of stocktaking in terms of the community’s socio-cultural development as a people.
Similarly, Mr Dimkpa Agbara, Chairman, Organising Committee, said the fundraiser was meant to establish a skill acquisition centre to empower the youths of the area economically.
Mr Hope Uwaga, a board member of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC), also urged Nigerians to always identify with their communities.
Uwaga advised political office seekers to “first of all be part of grassroots development” by contributing their quota to the development of their communities.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Mrs Rita Okengwu, Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Education, and Justice Amaobi Agbara, Justice of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, were also honoured at the event. (NAN)
LEO/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Amusement

By Mariam Akande and Yunus Yusuf

Lagos, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Mr Mohammed Zubair, the Manager, Apapa Amusement Park, on Wednesday said that the ongoing road repairs within the  Apapa axis of Lagos State had been affecting business activities in the area in  the last one year.

Zubair told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this  had made it difficult for visitors within and outside Apapa to patronise the park on weekends and during  public holidays .

He said that the development had also affected visitors and revellers that would have visited the park.

He said that the Apapa Amusement Park used to be the number one leisure spot  where families usually  trooped to for healthy family entertainment in past years.

According to him, ”We appeal to the state  government to expedite actions on the ongoing rehabilitation of Apapa road to save our business from total collapse.

“We are suffering from the deplorable  state of the  roads and power outage. We hope that in the coming years, the business will have gained ground.

“Operating Amusement Park business in Nigeria has lots of challenges because most Nigerians do not create time for leisure and most time we are perpetually on generators ,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Ejirinde David, the Amusement Park’s accountant,  said the park recorded over 300 fun seekers during festive period.

He said that the level of patronage would  have been more if the roads were good.

David who refused to disclose how much the park  realised in the previous festive seasons, however, said the park had reduced  sales in 2018 compared to the previous years.

According to him, we have adequate security, insurance and well organised structures that care for  children whenever they are in the premises.

“We hope with time, things will get better. The facilities at the park today include: Rides, Adult Games, Junior Games, Children Games, Kart Racing, Gardens.

“Others are : Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Snack Bars, Passages, Fountain and Seating Area, First Aid, Parking Area and Conveniences.

” Amusement Park  offers Lagosians an opportunity for the regeneration of family values and bonding,

”Provision of a leisure spot with facilities as available  here goes a long way in stimulating the mind through recreation and entertainment,” he said.

He said that over time, Apapa which is home to Nigeria’s busiest seaports, had  garnered notoriety for its unending traffic gridlock.

He said that this  had made it a destination easily avoided by people who had  no compelling need to be there.

Emmanuel Praye, a film maker, said he had been living in Apapa for several years, but  he was visiting the park for the first time.

He commended  the  facilities  there but advised the operators  to engage more in  adverts to attract more patronage.

Moses Ayoolakin, who usually patronises the park,  expressed satisfaction and implored  more people to come  with their families to enjoy the facility .

OMA/YO/FF/PAD

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/ Peter Dada

By Yinusa Ishola
Bishop
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Bishop David Oyedepo, President, Living Faith Church Worldwide, has called on wealthy indigenes of Omu-Aran in Kwara to redouble efforts in ensuring more developmental projects in the area.

Oyedepo made the call in his goodwill message during the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Omu-Aran Development Association(ODA) at Omu-Aran City Complex, Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

Oyedepo said it was only with such development intervention that the community could move forward,socially and economically.

According to him, the community is endowed with men and women of proven academic excellence, integrity, spiritually inclined and financial capability needed to ensure the desired transformation of the community.

The cleric, however, noted with delight that accelerated expansion of the community remained a critical key that could pave way for more investment opportunities for its inhabitants.

He urged leaders in the community and other stakeholders not to hesitate in embarking on useful platforms to deliberate on how to accelerate developmental target of the community.

Oyedepo, who is also the Chancellor, Landmark University, Omu Aran, commended the Olomu-in-Council and ODA executives for their commitment and dedication to communal services.

”No contribution whatsoever, monetary or material form, is too small toward ensuring the desired growth, progress and development of our community,” Oyedepo.“

The Olomu of Omu Aran, ba Abdulraheem Adeoti,urged the people to imbibe tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence in their dealings.

”It is only with such conducive atmosphere that the community can attract government presence and private sector base developmental projects and move forward,” he said.

He disclosed the traditional council had resolved to give the present ODA executive members the opportunity of piloting the affairs of the association for another term.

Chief Bisi Adeyemi, ODA President, in a remark, while enumerating the association’s achievement congratulated the indigenes on the successful selection and official presentation of staff of office to Oba Adeoti.

He mentioned the renovation of the Olomu’s palace and residence and that of the Omu-Aran City Complex as some of the projects undertook by the association in 2018.

Adeyemi, who is also the Akeweje of Omu-Aran, reiterated the community’s call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the reconstruction of Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway, to ease smooth flow of traffic. (NAN)
ISHO/FF/DUA

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Dada Ahmed

Weather

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thick dust haze weather conditions with reduced visibility over most parts of the country on Thursday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Wednesday, in Abuja, revealed that the central region of the country would record dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres throughout the day.

It added that day and night temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius, respectively, would prevail over the region.

The agency predicted that the Northern states would experience dust haze with visibility range of two to five kilometres with day and night temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius.

According to it, Southern states will experience dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the inland cities.

“Early morning mist/fog is expected over the coastal cities while haze condition is anticipated during the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 33 to 36 degrees Celsius and 17 to 22 degrees Celsius.

“Dust haze conditions are expected over most parts of the country in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)

OYS/OPI
=========

Christmas
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Residents of Benin have commended the Federal Government for ensuring availability of fuel during Christmas celebration.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, on Wednesday in Benin, said availability of the product made the celebration stress-free for them.

They noted that unlike the previous years where they had to wake very early and queue endlessly for the product, this year celebration proved to be otherwise.

They said that apart from being stress-free, availability of fuel also made it easier for those traveling in terms of cost of transportation.

A resident, Aliu Ozioruva-Alemma, said,”You will recall that at about this time last year, Nigerians were already groaning under scarcity of fuel.

He enjoined the government to ensure adequate availability of fuel, always, especially during festive seasons to enhance the ease in the supply of petroleum products that characterised this year christmas.

Another resident, Odegua Osadolor, who attributed fuel shortage to sabotage, called on Nigerians to always support the government in making life easier for the people.

He also called on marketers of the petroleum products not to use festive periods to address their challenges.

“While government should strive to address challenges of the marketers, they on their part should also bring their issues to the front burner on time.

“When these issues are left to linger, it is the commoners that suffer the consequences, “he said.

Mr Imuetiuan Ebo urged the Federal Government to ensure that fuel scarcity remains a thing of the past. (NAN)
ESI/CEO/DUA

Edited by Chidi Opara/Dada Ahmed