Blog

Empowerment
By Nabilu Balarabe
Hadejia (Jigawa), Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Government on Tuesday said it had disbursed over N187 million grant to 35,810 women as part of its Women Empowerment Programme in the state.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Muhammed Badaru on Economic Development, Alhaji Abba Mujaddadi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia.

He said the sum of N176.35 was disbursed to a set of 35,270 women by the wife of the state governor, Hajiya Magajiya Badaru.

Mujaddadi said the women, who were drawn from the 3,527 polling units in the state, received N5,000 each, adding that 10 women were selected from each polling unit.

The Special Adviser said another set of 540 women, who owned eateries, got N10.8 million grant and 1,080 firewood stoves.

He explained that each beneficiary in this category received N20,000 and two stoves to enhance her cooking business.

On the Goats Breeding Microfinance Scheme, Mujaddadi said 8,535 women had so far received 25,605 goats under the scheme.

He noted that the programme was the most successful micro credit scheme in the state, with 92 per cent retention and 79 per cent repayment level.

The Special Adviser said that the empowerment was borne out of the government’s desire to create job opportunities for women to be self-reliant.

“This government is committed to empowering women to make them become productive and self-reliant.

“It is our firm belief that if a woman is in a good financial standing, there will be peace and stability in the family,” he said.

Mujaddadi urged the women to use the grants wisely to improve their living conditions. (NAN)
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Sacrifice

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT, Malam Abdullahi Candido, has admonished Christians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and love for one another during and after Christmas.

In his Christmas Message at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Candido described Christmas as a season of hope and sacrifice.

‘‘I want to, on behalf of the good people of AMAC, wish our Christian brothers and sisters in the council a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

‘‘I want to call on all of us to please imbibe this spirit of sacrifice and love.

‘‘Like I keep saying, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of sacrifice and love; I want people, particularly the Christian family, to please imbibe such spirit.

‘‘Let’s pray for our leaders, and hope that Nigeria will be better,” he said.

While commenting on security arrangement for the season, the AMAC boss said there was a collaborative effort to ensure a hitch-free Yuletide celebration.

“We from the Council are collaborating with the FCT Administration and security agencies to ensure that citizens go about celebrating Christmas and New Year without any hitches at all.

“The security agencies are taking action to ensure that every family member visiting various recreational parks and other relaxation spots in Abuja enjoy this festive season with no fear.” (NAN)
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Idris Abdulrahman
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Chicken

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) Price of Chicken has increased by 66 per cent in Asaba and its environs due to the Christmas festivities, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey by a NAN correspondent showed that the price of parent cock which was sold for N6,000 in 2017 now sells for between N9,000 and N10,000 in Asaba and its environs.

The survey also showed that the price of a big size of broiler which was sold for between N3,000 and N3,500 in the preceding year now sells for between N5,000 and N6,000.

Some of the chicken sellers who spoke with NAN attributed the increase in to the increase in the price of feeds and cost of labour.

They also said that that the increase was necessary to enable them to realise their capital as well as make small profit.

Mrs Grace Okorie of Feed Well Poultry in Asaba, said ‘‘We sold parent cock last year at the rate of N6,000 but as at today (Tuesday) we are selling at N9,000 and N10,000 depending on the weight and size.

‘‘For big size of boilers which we sold for N3,000 and N3,500 last year, as at today we are selling them for N5,000 and N6,000.

‘‘We did not plan to increase the price of chicken on our own but the increase is due to the increase in the cost of feeding them,” Okorie said.

Also, Mr Vincent Ograka of Unique Poultry Farm in Ugbolu in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, said: ‘‘If we really want to go with the way we spend money on feeding the chicken this year, we will not sell a boiler less than N7000.

‘‘The cost of feeds has increased and the stress of managing the poultry is much; managing chicken from starter stage to finishing stage is a big job, ” Ograka said.

NAN also reports that the hike did not only affect the price of chicken but also the prices of killing and processing of the chicken.

The price of processing a big size chicken is now between N200 and N250 as against N150 in the previous year.

According to Jude Ikenna who processes chicken at Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba, “we have to increase the price of killing and processing chicken because the pressure and demand for the service have also increased.

‘‘On a normal day, we collect N100and N150, depending on the size, but because of the season we have increased our charges to N200 and N250,’’ he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Abdullahi Yusuf
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Stakeholders

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa branch of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has pleaded with all stakeholders to conduct their activities before, during and after the 2019 general elections in a peaceful manner.

The group made the plea in a statement signed by its Secretary, Malam Muhammad Babangida, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday.

“In view of that, JNI is re-appealing to INEC and all stakeholders, especially security operators and the media, to work hand-in-hand to ensure fairness in their services,’’ the statement said.

It urged all contestants in the elections, as well as political leaders and their supporters to regulate their utterances and actions throughout the electioneering period.

“JNI Jigawa state is delighted to promote its idyllic manifestation of tranquility and unity of the nation and will use her astuteness to express and share opinion to persuade all concerned individuals.’’

The statement advised politicians and their supporters to shun hostile speeches, attitudes and violent actions, pointing out that politicians’ heroic acts could impact positively on their supporters to engender peace and unity.

It held that the propagation of understanding among Nigerians was what the nation desired at this critical period in its development.

The group, therefore, urged Nigerians to participate in all aspects of the general elections and cast their votes for candidates of their choice.

“Citizens are expected to come out en masse and serenely participate in all political issues and cast their votes for candidates of their own choice.

“Muslims are religiously required to believe that only the Almighty Allah gives and takes leadership to and from man, as He wills,’’ the statement said. (NAN)
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Idonije Obakhedo)

Education
By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma has reassured students in the state of his commitment to quality education.

Uzodinma, who currently represents Orlu zone in the senate, disclosed this in a Christmas message by his director of student affairs campaign council, Mr Collins Ogbonna in Owerri on Tuesday.

According to him, “As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, let us not forget that what lies ahead of us as a state is better than what we must have experienced in the past.

”My avowed commitment to free and quality education with proper budgetary allocation of above 45 per cent in the annual budget is not a ruse or yet another vain political promise. My word is my bond,” he said.

He called on Imo people to remember the less privileged in society in the spirit of the season, adding that “As we exchange gifts, pray and visit loved ones, let us remember many others who cannot be with their families this time.

”Together we can show generosity to our neighbours and demonstrate the diversity that makes Imo the Eastern Heartland,” he said. (NAN)
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Christmas: Gov. Ugwuanyi prays for peaceful, credible, violence-free elections

Message

By Maureen Ojinaka

Enugu, Dec. 25, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Christmas season to offer special prayers for peaceful, credible and violence-free general elections in the country in 2019.

Ugwuanyi, in a Christmas message signed by his media aide, Mr Louis Amoke, on Tuesday in Enugu wished all Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

He urged them to continue to dedicate their lives to the service of God and the advancement of peace, unity and love.

The governor noted that Christmas is God’s gift to mankind to gain salvation.

He added that the celebration offers Christians a veritable opportunity to reciprocate His incredible act of love, by dedicating themselves to things that promote good virtues, peace, harmony and progress.

He, therefore, thanked Enugu residents for their unceasing prayers, goodwill, solidarity and support and reassured them of his ultimate resolve to continue to serve them selflessly, with the fear of God.

Ugwuanyi promised that he would continue to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance in the state. (NAN)
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)

8-year-old roasted to death in Enugu community

Fire

By Maureen Ojinaka

Enugu, Dec. 25, 2018 [NAN] The Enugu State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of an 8-year-old boy from suspected kerosene ignited fire in Umundu Community, Udenu Local Government Area.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident occurred on Sunday night.

Amaraizu said the boy and his family were in their house when the fire broke out and engulfed the whole apartment on that fateful day.

“It was gathered that the incident occurred when the victim, little Chikamso Nnamani, about 8 years old, had tried to refill their lamp with kerosene.

“But unfortunately, the light went wild and quickly engulfed the whole house.

“It was further gathered that as occupants were scampering for safety, the said Chikamso ran towards another direction where he was allegedly consumed by the fire,’’ he said.

According to Amaraizu, a full scale investigation has commenced into the incident.

The police spokesman also said the serene community had been thrown into mourning this festive season following the unfortunate incident. (NAN)

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Christmas: Gov. Masari distributes food items, clothing to Christians in Funtua

Christmas
By Zubairu Idris
Funtua, (Katsina State), Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Alhaji Aminu Masari of Katsina state on Monday distributed food items and clothing worth over N850,000 to some Christians in Funtua Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the event, Masari said the gesture was part of his administration’s efforts to felicitate the Christian faithful in the area and put smiles on their faces, especially women and children, during the celebration.
Masari, represented by Alhaji Kamal Alty, said that the state government would ensure a violence-free Yuletide in different parts of the state.
He urged the Christians to use the festive period to pray for peace in the state and Nigeria, especially during the 20 19 polls.
He also appealed to parents to continue to monitor the movement of their children to prevent them from engaging in social vices.
He said, “parents should remain committed to the moral upbringing of their children to enable them to become useful citizens in society.”
The governor further underscored the need for women to acquire skills and vocational training so that they would become self-reliant and contribute to national development.
A cross-section of the beneficiaries in their separate speeches commended the state government for the gesture.
The people appealed to other well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations in the state to emulate government’s initiative.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items distributed included rice, palm oil, spaghetti and clothes, among others. (NAN)
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Sam Oditah