Blog

NSCDC arrests 2 suspects in Ore over alleged illegal fuel station
Arrest
By Muftau Ogunyemi
Akure, Dec.24, 2018 (NAN) The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded two operators of an alleged illegal filing station in Ore, Odigbo Local Government area of the state.
Mr Pedro Awili, the State Commandant of NSCDC who paraded the suspects before newsmen on Monday in Akure, said the suspects were the owner of the station and the Manager.
Awili said they were arrested on Dec. 19 through intelligence information received from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Akure.
He said that the Weights and Measures Department of the ministry found out that the filing station contravened government regulations for the establishment of a filing station.
The commandant alleged that the filing station operators also broke a government seal order earlier executed on them.
He warned owners of such filing stations in the state to desist from such act.
According to him, the suspects will be charge to court upon completion of investigation of the case. (NAN)
OMA/JI/EMO
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Editing by Joseph Idika/EMO

Budget
By Muhammad Bello
Sokoto, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Monday presented the state’s 2019 budget estimates of N169.652billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration.

Tambuwal said that the sum of N99.184billion was for capital projects while the sum of N70.468billion was for recurrent expenditure.

He said that the 2019 budget which was tagged “Budget of Consolidation for Sustainable Growth and Development,’’ would focus on completion of projects started in 2018 and execution of new ones.

Tambuwal stated that 2019 would be the fourth year of his administration, thereby stressing the need to consolidate on all the administration’s achievements.

‘‘This is to set such achievements into motion so as to improve the living standard of our people.

“For the fourth year running, the education sector got the highest allocation of over N47.4 billion, representing 27.9 per cent of the total estimates,’’ he added.

The governor explained that the policy thrust of the budget was to ensure sustainable economic development through substantial investment in critical sectors.

He said that the sectors included education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, exploration of mineral resources, investment in renewable energy and infrastructure.

“We will prioritise effective resources management and seek intervention in areas with high potentials to create job opportunities, generate income and improve revenue generation,” he said.

The governor gave the assurance that the government would continue to work to strengthen capacity building of scheduled ministries for better service delivery.

“We will continue to promote our partnership with the private sector in areas of strategic importance to our development objective.

“We will promote value chain through agro-processing and diversification by way of giving incentives to farmers and producers.

“We will also create backward and forward linkages between and among institutions, partners and other stakeholders to accelerate economic growth,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that allocations to other sectors in the budget proposal showed that the health sector got N21.9 billion and general administration had N21.1 billion.

The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, said that the lawmakers would ensure swift passage of the budget to maintain the frequency of development in the state.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has proceeded on a recess from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2019 end of second quarter 4th session to enable members celebrate the Christmas and New Year. (NAN)
BMN/MOL/IS
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ismail Abdulaziz

Budget
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Mallam Abdullahi Candido, the Chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), on Monday presented an estimated N8.2 billion budget for 2019 as against N6.92 billion this year.

Presenting the budget at the AMAC Legislative Chambers in Abuja, Candido said that the 2019 Budget of Hope was envisioned to be a budget hinged on consolidation of the gains and success stories of council.

He said that the budget was a painstaking effort of relevant stakeholders who had the masses and progress of the council at heart, adding that it would also captured the wishes of the people.

Candido said that the administration had allocated N4.1 billion for recurrent expenditure, representing 49.17 per cent and N4.2 billion for capital expenditure, representing 50.83 per cent of the budget.

He said that the personnel cost was N2.8 billion representing 33.51 per cent and the overhead was N1.29 billion.

He said that the increase was mainly due to provision for staff promotion arrears, annual increment and possible recruitment of confidential secretaries and potential salary increase.

“The thrust of AMAC capital project in 2019 will be completion of many ongoing projects over new ones,” he said.

The minister said that the entire budget and planning had been predicted to give hope to electorate to deliver on campaign promises.

According to him, allocating 51 per cent of 2019 budget to capital projects is to demonstrate strong commitment to continue to develop infrastructures across the 12 wards of the council.

Candido said that the overhead cost had been decreased by 52.27 per cent as part of the government strategy to ensure delivery of value for money and eliminate wasteful expenditure.

The chairman also noted that the administration had begun  payment to complete projects and to reconcile liabilities and settle legitimate claims.

“As responsible administration, we decided that clearing backlog was an important priority.”

Candido, however, expressed the hope that the council would expedite action accordingly to commence implementation soon.

The Speaker of the AMAC legislative council, Mr Michael Shanyibwa commended the chairman and promised to act accordingly on the proposed budget.

He expressed delight at the presentation of the 2019 budget, saying the council was happy with performance of  2018 budget.

Some of the staff of the council expressed satisfaction over the presentation of the budget and called for its speedy passage. (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Revenue
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Dec. 24, 2018 ( NAN)The Niger Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) says it has collected N1.9 billion as revenue from January to November this year.

Mr Abba Kassim, the Area Comptroller of Customs in the zone, zone comprising Niger, Kogi and Kwara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.

He said that already the area command had adopted a community-based approach in the fight against smuggling activities in the areas.

He said that the approach would enable residents, especially those at the border areas to offer intelligence reports that could aid the command apprehend those involved in the illegal business.

He warned smugglers and their accomplices to desist from such trade as the service had zero tolerance for any act of economic sabotage.

The controller said that the command would not rest in carrying out its constitutional duties of preventing smuggling of goods, especially arms, rice and cars through land borders.

“We have already issued an order to officers deployed to border posts in Tungan Madugu, Kibira and Agbara Rofiya in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.

He said that similar order was also sent to officers at border posts in Chikanda, Yashikira, Kuso Boso in Barutem Local Government Area of Kwara to end the illegal business once and for all.

He solicited the support of stakeholders, traditional rulers and development associations to complement the efforts of the officers deployed with require intelligence information on movement of smugglers. (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Deployment
By Muftau Ogunyemi
Akure, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ondo State Command,  has deployed no fewer than 1,000 officers and men to ensure a free flow of traffic during the Christmas and New Year season in the state.

Mr Rotimi Adeleye, FRSC State Sector Commander, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Akure on Monday.

Adeleye said the deployment was in line with the directive from the national headquarters to all commands to ensure safer roads before, during and after the Yuletide.

He explained that the personnel would man all the critical and flashpoints in the state, noting that the command intended to prevent motorists from over speeding on the highways.

“The issues of overloading, underage drivers and driving without a licence are also major concerns to us which we are frowning at this time.

“Any overloaded  vehicle  will be stopped and obviously we are going to reduce the load, whether  goods or passengers.

“Also, apart from fines or booking of any drunk driver, the vehicle will be impounded because booking is not relevant to us in this case but what is paramount to us is to ensure the safety of lives on our highways,” he said.

Adeleye, who commended the state government for assisting the command,  said he had spoken with a committee on towing vehicles with a view to helping the command to remove any obstruction on the highway.

He appealed to road users to change their attitude and obey the rules and regulations of traffic signs during the festive period.

” The Year 2019 is approaching and as 2018 is rounding up, I want to appeal to our drivers and road users to have a change of attitude, change of mind and shun overloading and overspeeding.

“Let us adhere strictly to rules and commercial drivers should endeavour to go and install speed limit device in their vehicles.

“The issue of fine or booking does not really matter in certain infractions,” he said. (NAN)
OMA/IKU/OJO
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Mufutau Ojo)

Christmas: Foundation fetes less privileged school children

By Ogechi Okechukwu and Vivian Ihechu

Lagos. Dec, 2018 (NAN) To bring the joy of Christmas to the less privileged, Sparkle Foundation, an NGO, on Monday organised a Christmas party for the pupils of Banjo Primary School in Otumare Ilaje Community, an impoverished community in Lagos metropolis.

Mrs Olasimbo Ojuroye, Executive Director of the Foundation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the gathering was to sllow the children to share in the excitement of the season through the love and merriment extended to them.

“The aim of the mission is to help every child live healthy, get access to education and help them toward achieving their full potential.

“The foundation holds Christmas party every year for school children and also distribute gifts to communities.

“We just completed our five years in the Makoko Primary School and then, we decided to make Banjo Primary School our next venture because we have a lot of less privileged children in the community.

“We have done a lot of research in the Ottumare Ilaje community where the school is located and we have identified a lot of needs in the community,” she said.

Ojuroye said that the foundation aimed to put smiles on the faces of the children, support them in their education and make them more informed so as to make their journey in life more bearable.

She appealed to public spirited Nigerians to support the foundation in its charity work.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the children were given food, drinks and gift items and participated in games, quiz and dancing competition as part of the celebration.

Tajudeen Alabi, one of the students, told NAN that he enjoyed himself and  thanked the foundation for its generosity.

Also, Ada Ujuh, another pupil, said: “I am happy , delighted and I enjoyed it all.

“ The foundation has done well to make us feel loved; I also thank them for the talks and encouraging us to be well behaved, to study and to excel,’’ she said.

NAN reports that Sparkle Foundation is an NGO established to reach out to orphans and the less privileged children in Nigeria.

The NGO also empower communities, children educational needs and organise health awareness programmes and to ensure every child is accomplished. (NAN)

OGE/VIV/WOJ
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Wale Ojetimi

Christmas
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Dec 24, 2018 (NAN) Goat sellers in Abuja on Monday expressed joy over high patronage as Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas on Tuesday.

Some of those, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lugbe and Gwagwalada goat markets, described the patronage as “huge,” in spite of the hike in the prices.

Malam Saifullah Adam told NAN in Lugbe that as at 12:00p.m., he had sold more than 25 goats.

Adam, who gets his supply of goats from Katsina state, also expressed delight by the volume of the sales he had recorded so far.

He stated that he bought the goats exorbitantly, explaining the reason for the hike in the prices of the goats.

According to him, the big size is sold for N50, 000, medium for N35, 000 while small size goes for N20, 000.

Another goat seller, Malam Sani Shagari, also expressed delight at the turn out of customers so far in the market.

Shagari told NAN that in spite economic hardship in the country, many people still trooped into market to buy goats to celebrate the yuletide.

Similarly, Malam Aminu Shehu, a goat dealer in Gwagwalada market, described the rate of purchase of the animals as “unprecedented”.

Shehu disclosed that he brought about 100 goats from Sokoto state to sell in Abuja and was now left with only seven.

He expressed optimism that more customers will patronise him and take the left over before the end of the day.

However, a goat buyer, Madam Angela Joseph, decried hike in prices of goats in the market owing to the yuletide.

Joseph said that he had no option other than to buy a goat at the exorbitant price because she was interested in slaughtering a goat to celebrate Christmas.(NAN)
MS/OSA/EAL
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ekemini Ladejobi

Disease
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday in Benin inaugurated the Infectious Disease Isolation centre to combat disease outbreaks in the state.

Obaseki, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, said that the cemtre would be replicated in the other two senatorial districts of the state.

The governor said that the centre would also create sustainability plan for the maintenance of its facilities.

Obaseki said that the state would provide the needed manpower and trainings to ensure the sustainability of the centre.

He called on stakeholders to support the centre in order achieve the purpose of its establishment.

Earlier, the state’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr Chris Obaseki, appreciated the government for executing the project within a short period of time.

Obaseki lauded the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari administration on health care delivery to the people.

According to him, the center will reduce the number of patients admitted into the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Irrua Specialist Hospital.

He assured that they would do everything possible to maintain all the facilities in the centre.

Also speaking, the representatives of the World Health Organization, Mrs Faith Ireye, said that the organisation would continue to work with Edo government in areas of disease eradication. (NAN)
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Ismail Abdulaziz

Adoption

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Benin, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Action Democratic Party (ADP) and 12 other political parties in Edo, have adopted Mr Patrick Obahiagbon and Mr Washington Osifo as their candidates for the 2019’s National and State Assembly elections respectively.

The parties, under the auspices of Progressives Registered Political Parties (PRPP), announced the adoption of the two APC candidates at an enlarged meeting of the body in Benin on Monday.

Obahiagbon, former member, House of Representatives, is gunning for the Edo South Senatorial District seat while Osifo, former Commissioner of Education, is seeking to represent Uhunmwode Constituency in the Edo Assembly.

Mr Ogbodu Orlando, Spokesperson of PRPP comprising the Independent Democrats (ID), Accord Party, ANP, SPN, NPN, DPP, UPP, BNPP, JNPP, among others, said the group had followed Obahiagbon’s political career and was happy with it.

Orland who is the state Chairman of ID, said: ‘‘we stand here today to adopt Patrick Obahiagbon for the Edo South Senatorial District election and Washington Osifo for the House of Assembly election.

‘‘We believe in Obahiagbon because we have watched his antecedents from when he was a councilor to when he was in the State Assembly and the House of Representatives.

“We all believe in him and know that he can perform.’’

In his response, Obahiagbon, who praised the group and said it had made democracy to thrive in the area.

He gave the assurance that the partnership would be sustained while he would deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, if elected.

‘‘I am delighted to have been endorsed by 13 vibrant political parties.

‘‘They decided to, on their own, adopt my candidacy for the Edo South Senatorial District election and Hon. Washington Osifo for Uhunmwode Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

‘‘It shows we are popular outside our party. These are popular people and we know that this will translate to victory for us in the February elections,’’ he said. (NAN)

ESI/MOL/EMO
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ejike Obeta

Commendation
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State on Monday commended the Federal Government’s social investment programme in the state.

Dankwambo gave the commendation while presenting the 2019 budget to the State House of Assembly in Gombe.

“I commend the federal government for funding youth empowerment and poverty alleviation programme in the state.

“The activities of Youth Empowerment and Social Support (YESSO), the social investment programmes and the contributions of International Development Partners have significantly contributed toward reducing youth unemployment, restiveness and poverty in Gombe,” he said.

He said N1.3 billion had been earmarked in the 2019 fiscal year for youth empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes.

The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the establishment of North-East Development Commission (NEDC), adding that the commission would address the challenges of insurgency and underdevelopment of the region.

Dankwambo said as at Oct. 31, 70.08 per cent of the 2018 budget had been expended as recurrent and 30.55 per cent represented capital expenditure, while the performance of the budget stood at 49.77 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed budget of N118.7 billion, comprises  N60.6 billion as recurrent and N58.1 billion as capital budget. (NAN)
UP/YI/IM
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Ibrahim Mammaga