Blog

Culture

By Taiye Baiyerohi

Lagos, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), is to focus more attention on propagating the nation’s culture locally and internationally in 2019.

Mrs Ndidi Aimienwawu, the centre’s Acting Director General made this disclosure on Wednesday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Aimienwawu said that transporting the nation’s culture to the nooks and crannies of the world could transform the nation’s economy when investors are attracted to the country.

”Our mandate is to ensure that our culture is transported beyond the shores of the nation, which we have been doing, but we will intensify on it in the new year.

”Our culture, which can be developed in the creative economy is capable of attracting investors into the country; if our culture is well marketed everywhere in the world; the tourism industry will also have a boost,” she said.

Aimienwawu said that the centre had been a custodian of culture for the 59 African countries in the past years and had achieved significant achievements in propagating African culture in diverse forms.

She said one of such achievements was the teaching of most African languages in some nations of the world like Brazil.

”The teaching of some African languages is on in Brazil now because of the collaborations the country had with us over the years at international conferences.

”Brazil has also inculcated the languages into their academic curriculum, more of these, we want to achieve in the new year,” she said.

The DG said most of the culture to be projected were in form of dance, drama, poems, crafts, proverbs, arts and more while the relics of FESTAC”77 would also be projected.

She said the significance of FESTAC”77 festival could not be underestimated, as it never brought evil to the nation as propagated by some people.

”FESTAC”77 festival is the celebration of our cultural heritage and we can survive with it if we harness such culture properly, she said.

Aimienwawu told NAN that cultural exhibitions, conferences and symposia would equally be organised locally and internationally while collaborating with stakeholders to achieve the desired results. (NAN)

PTB/FF/YEMI

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Shippers council appeals to Buhari on transportation commission bill
Bill
By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his decision to decline assent to the National Transportation Commission Bill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill which had been passed by the National Assembly suffered a set back recently as the president declined his assent to it.

Mr Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary of the NSC told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that the situation had continued to affect the regulation of the shipping sector.

Bello, who was giving the stewardship of the organisation in the outgoing year, regretted that 12 years after port reform, the Transport Commission and the Port and Harbor bills remained unavailable.

“Because of the non availability of those bills, regulation has remained cumbersome and policy enhancement elusive and resistance to regulations common among operators.

“Litigation has been rife in the sector with it attendant private monopoly instead of public monopoly that will encourage competition in the sector,” he said.

According to him the passages of those bills will among other things enhance policy formulation geared towards the development of the sector.

He said that in a bid to smoothen transactions at the ports, the NSC had developed standard operation procedure for port users to reduce delays in cargo handling processes in order to reduce cost.
National transportion commission bill, which was meant to streamline regulations in the transport industry, especially in the maritime sector, was promoted by the shippers council.(NAN)
EUC/AOS/ABI
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Empowerment

By Diana Omueza

Abuja, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Untold, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Abuja says it is to empower and mentor about 500 orphans and vulnerable children who live on the streets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ms Prominent Monday-Odin, Founder, Untold, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Good Shepherd Orphanage Project in kwali Area Council, FCT, when she and her team visited several Orphanage homes to celebrate Christmas with the orphans.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the empowerment would take place fully in 2019.

Monday-Odin said that Untold would offer various training programmes to over 50 of the orphans in preparing them for useful lives after leaving the orphanage homes.

“Untold will be training over 50 orphans in various skills and this will come up in the first quarter of 2019.

“The children are going to undergo training in various fields suitable for their environment and would be equipped afterwards.

“This will enable them to start up vocations in goods and service delivery, so that they can become self-employed and employers of labour in their various communities.

“The orphans will be trained in catering, hairdressing, soap making, bead making, event planning and many more,’’ she said.

Monday-Odin said that the training would enable them have means of livelihood that would boost them economically and prepare them for easy reintegration into the society.

She said that the goal was to use goals 1 and 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are “No poverty and zero hunger,’’ to transform the lives of the orphans and vulnerable children before 2030.

The Founder listed other areas of assistance by the NGO to include telling the stories of these orphans and vulnerable children using photos and documentaries.

“We will be using photos and documentaries to tell the stories of these children, before, during and after the project.

“We will be reaching out to at least over than 500 vulnerable and orphaned children in the project.

“We will produce the stories of about 40 with international standard film documentaries, the empowerment of 50 and the successful mentorship of 10,’’ Monday-Odin said.

She said that the project was to mark the 70th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights, adopted by the United Nations on Dec. 10, 1948.

Monday-Odin noted that the universal declaration was rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

She said that as such, it remained relevant for everyone to help in lending a voice to the improvement of the lives of orphans and vulnerable street children.

Monday-Odin, therefore, called on other NGOs and philanthropists in the society to assist in the project, to help the orphans acquire vocational skills.

The Untold is a project that empowers, mentors and tells the story behind the stories of both orphans and vulnerable children through documentary films and photography. (NAN)
DOM/CHOM/PIO
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(Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Idonije Obakhedo)

Donation
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) An NGO, Arewa Youth Trust Foundation, on Wednesday donated foods and other basic items to the inmates of Zaria Orphanage Home, Tukur-Tukur.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items included foodstuff, clothing materials and snacks.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Alhaji Fahad Ahmed-Chikaji, said the gesture was to give the orphans a sense of belonging, especially during this festive season.

Ahmed-Chikaji, who is also contesting for the seat of Sabongari state constituency on the platform of the Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP), said the orphans deserved special consideration by members of the society.

“The purpose of the visit is to put smile on the faces of the orphans especially on this festive season of Christmas.

“We have been doing this visitation on festive periods like Sallah, Christmas and Easter to see whether there are changes and if there are places where we can come in to assist.

“This is a Christmas period and as an NGO, we want the orphans to be part of this celebration, just like any other child living with his or her parents.

“We want them to feel good, therefore, we have to embrace them, show them love, care and concern to enable them to feel that the society cares for them.

“As people all over the world celebrate Christmas, children with parents will have new clothes and food among others for the festive period.

“Unfortunately, those in the orphanages may not have similar privilege, hence the need for the society to do something that would gladden their hearts,’’ Ahmed-Chikaji said.

He, therefore, appealed to corporate organisations, NGOs and individuals to come to the aid of the orphans.

Responding, the Overseer of the Orphanage Home, Malam Dalhatu Muhammad-Awai, expressed appreciation for the gesture, urging the NGO to sustain the tempo.

While describing the NGO as a platform for the orphans to lean on, Muhammad-Awai encouraged the foundation not to relent in its consistent visitations and donations to the home.

Muhammad-Awai assured the foundation that the items would be judiciously used for the good of the children.

NAN reports that the NGO also visited Muslim Hospital, Danmagaji as well as Anglican Hospital, Wusasa, where they sympathised with sick persons and presented some gifts to them. (NAN)
KLM/ENN/IS
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Ismail Abdulaziz

Customs distributes rice worth N4bn to IDPs – Official

Rice

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, Dec 26, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has so far distributed 424,391 bags of rice worth N4 billion to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Edo States.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Attah, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday.

NAN reports that President Muhamnadu Buhari gave a directive to NSC to distribute some seized items including rice to IDPs in the troubled North East to ameliorate their sufferings.

Attah explained that apart from rice other seized perishable items were also distributed to IDPs in the crisis ridden areas.

He said with relative peace in the North-East, many IDPs were now returning to their ancestral homes and engaging in farming.

He pointed out that the need for these items continued to reduce while seizures of the items had made warehouses to overflow.

The Spokesperson disclosed that the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd), had obtained the Presidential nod to extend the distribution of the relief items to other IDP camps and registered orphanages across the country.

According to him, already, the list of IDPs and orphanages across the country is being compiled with a view to kick-starting the nation-wide distribution as soon as possible.

He assured that by the time NCS commenced the distribution, it would provide relief and succour to fellow Nigerians who were going through tough times in the IDP camps and orphanages.

Attah also disclosed that a total number of 238,094 (50kg) bags of rice were seized across the country by customs between January and November this year.

He reiterated the commitment of the Ali led administration to cleanse the system to boost revenue generation in the country. (NAN)

MS/CHOM/SA

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Salif Atojoko

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Christmas: FCT residents decry absence of food vendors

Vendors

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed worry over absence of food vendors during the yuletide.
A cross section of residents interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja,said the situation had resulted in hardship as they needed to refill their stomach every time of the day.

Malam Abdullahi Musa, a petty trader in Gudu said he was only able to take tea and bread on the Christmas day due to the absence of food vendors in the area.
“Tea and bread is not my favourite food but I have to take it because there is no food around,” he said.

Musa, therefore, appealed to food vendors to open for business and serve their customers who have cause to stay away from home and pursue their legitimate businesses.

A vulcaniser in Utako market, Mr John Ishaya, said he was not surprised at the absence of food vendors, noting that absence of food vendors on Christmas day was not unexpected judging by the mood of the moment.

“For me being a bachelor, I will just beg them to open for business because the nature of my job does not allow me to go back home and cook food.

“And, you know, we always experience this kind of situation during festive period because most of the women selling food here are Christians and they always close shop during the yuletide.

“ Now I don’t have choice, any food that comes I will eat it,” Ishaya said.

Also speaking, a fuel station attendant in Lugbe, Miss Suwaiba Sani, said absence of food vendors did not bother her since she always prepared her food for her lunch every day from home.

“Personally, I don’t have problems with food vendors around because as a woman I always prepare my food for myself before I leave my house.(NAN)

AMU/OSA/ABI

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Terminal
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Some tourism experts and international airline operators have commended the Federal Government over the completion and opening of the new international terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Ikechi Uko, Organiser of Akwaaba Africa Travel Market and a tourism expert, said that building airport infrastructure would go a long way to reposition the nation’s aviation industry.

Uko said that having a 15 million passenger-capacity terminal in Abuja could attract more international airlines into Abuja and position the city as a major tourist’s destination in Africa.

“I need to commend the people who created the vision and they were not even thinking of three million or five million passengers but 15 million, which is remarkable.

‘‘That is thinking far ahead and we need to commend them.

“I also need to commend Nigerians who have been patient because Abuja airport has not had new facility like this since it began operations and I think it is a good way to go for Nigeria because it will improve our image.

“Hopefully, it will bring in more major international airlines,” he said.

Uko said that access had been the biggest problems of tour operators in Abuja, adding that airlines only go to places where they would have access to good facilities.

“Creating more access will position Abuja as a big destination for conferences because Abuja is second to Accra in the whole of West Africa.

“With more access and more airlines, Abuja can become number one because with the new airport, Abuja can become number one meetings’ destination,” he said.

Also, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) said a lot more needed to be done to ensure proper utilisation of the facility.

Onung, who stated that it was not enough to have a beautiful airport with increased capacity, said it was necessary to ensure that more airplanes were landing and taking off at the airport.

He called on the government and industry players to encourage more airlines to come in as well as support the existing ones to have more aircraft.

“Kudos to government for the infrastructure which is good but we need to do more to be able to utilise it.

“We are carrying international visitors to Lagos and Abuja for meetings and to Calabar for carnival, when they land and they see our beautiful airport it will speak well.

“The issue is let there be more inbound flights and a lot of other issues that must be corrected on the aviation industry.

“We have been talking about the national carrier and all of that.

‘‘If you add all those and you have a beautiful airport, the economics of aviation will improve and once that happen the tour operators are in business,” he said.

Mr Tilahun Tedesse, Traffic and Sales Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, said the airline might commence operation from the new terminal on Jan. 8 or Jan. 9, 2019.

Tedesse said the new terminal was an international airport standard, adding that it was a big change from the existing terminal.

“The checks in counters are very big and I am sure that passengers will greatly enjoy the comfort.

“I must commend the Federal Government for the wonderful work that they have done because the terminal is very beautiful and I think it is a Christmas gift for Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
OYS/MOL/IS
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ismail Abdulaziz

Amenities
Ilorin, Dec 26, 2018 (NAN) Ifelodun community in Egbejila, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara has appealed to government at all levels for provision of social amenities.

The Head of the community, Alhaji Usman Gatta made the appeal at a meeting of the community with concerned stakeholders on Wednesday in Egbejila.

Gatta noted that the new settlement lacked steady and uninterrupted power supply, potable water supply and accessible road.

According to him, the only source of water is a well as it is very costly to drill a hand-pump or motorised borehole.

The community head also sought for an establishment of a police post in the community to check new insecurity of children abduction, rituals, burglary and theft.

He said the area being a developing site was always disturbed by street urchins who used to intimidate, harass and exploit their visitors.

He also lamented that land grabbers were also threatening their peace in the community in spite that they had bought their land long ago, erected their building and residing within.

Gatta sought a clarification from the official of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on N10, 000 charges by a group of people on every household before they were allowed to connect to national grid.

The community pleaded with the IBEDC to provide the settlement with a new transformer to address the challenge of power failure.

Mr Bashir Abayomi, who is the IBEDC official in-charge of the community, said that the company was not aware of the N10, 000 charges.

According to him, the only charge known to the company is the loss of revenue which is for opening an account for billing with the company.

He, however, promised to relay the complaint of the community on power shortage to the appropriate quarters of the company for remedy. (NAN)
AUO/CHOM/MNA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu

Endorsement
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Okada (Edo), Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) Elders of Okada community, headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo, have urged people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call followed the resolution reached at a town hall meeting held in Okada, near Benin on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Odionwere (Village Head) of Okada, Mr Napoleon Imude, pointed out that they have resolved to endorse the APC candidate for the Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr Dennis Idahosa.

According to him, the endorsement of Idahosa’s candidacy was because they needed a “strong voice” in the National Assembly.

Imude prayed for Idahosa to succeed at the polls, while warning the people against any act of betrayal in their resolve to support the APC.

According to him, “we have heard about you, Idahosa, for a long time. You are bringing something good. All Okada men and women should hear and we pray God will make you to win.”

Responding, Idahosa assured the Okada elders that the community would be developed if the APC emerged victorious at the polls.

NAN reports that Ms Omosede Igbinedion, who is the serving lawmaker representing Ovia in the National Assembly, is an indigene of Okada.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate has told newsmen that the reasons for his endorsement were obviously for him to fulfill three things.

“One of them is for me to be active in the House to be able to attract a lot of development to the Constituency.

“The second is to concentrate on human capital development and to be accessible to the electorate.

“My opponents failed woefully in all these issues. She is not accessible. She is not around when important issues are being discussed during plenary.

“I could sense that Okada people are fed up and made up their mind to vote her out of office. They found the messiah they needed in me.” (NAN)
ESI/OSA/IS
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Arrest

Lafia, Dec. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Police in Nasarawa State have arrested three suspects for alleged murder of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Samaila Usman, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia.

NAN reports that the corps member, Samuel Makene, was allegedly murdered at the residence of Emmanuel Ombugadu, Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a political gathering.

According to him, the police have arrested three suspects from Angwan Baba Arago of Akwanga Local Government Area for the murder of Samuel Makene.

“The suspects were already apprehended and transferred to the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation” the police spokesperson said.

He added that the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution as soon as investigation was concluded.

The PPRO assured families of the deceased that the police would ensure that the suspects and other criminals in the state were made to face the law.

NAN reports that the deceased who was murdered on Dec. 20, was buried on December 23. (NAN)

SDJ/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu