Blog

Advocacy
Aisha Ahmed
Kano Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) A Kano-based non governmental organisation (NGO), IFADAE has advised youths against drug abuse ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The IFADAE National President, Malam Muktar Ilyasu, gave the advise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  on Sunday in Kano.

IFADAE is an initiative concerned with the enlightenment of youths on the issues of drug abuse.

Ilyasu said the advice had become necessary given that youths are usually targets of politicians desirous of recruiting thugs for the purpose of elections.

He explained that the NGO had embarked on the advocacy to also fight the menace amongst youths and women as well as to engage parents and guardians in the fight.

He said that the organisation has branches in 20 states of the federation, adding that this made it to reach the grassroots with its messages.

He further appealed to Nigerians, especially parents, to take up the challenge of fighting the drug abuse menace among youths as a social responsibility for the good of the country. (NAN)
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Ismail Abdulaziz

Weather

By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted dust haze  weather conditions with reduced visibility over most parts of the country with morning mist over the southern part on Monday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Sunday in Abuja predicted dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the central region during the forecast period.

It added that the region would have day and night temperatures in the ranges of 28 to 36 and 9 to 20 degrees Celsius respectively.

The agency predicted that the Northern States would experience thick dust haze condition over Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Dutse, Nguru, Gusau and Maiduguri in the morning hours.

It also predicted moderate dust haze over the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 25 to 32 and 10 to 15 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to NiMet, Southern States will experience dust haze condition with visibility range of two to five kilometres over the inland states throughout the forecast period.

“Early morning mist is likely over the coastal cities later in the day while moderate dust haze condition is expected over the entire coastal cities with day and night temperatures of 28 to 36 and 15 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

“Satellite imagery shows fresh dust in suspension over the source region which is expected to advent into the country.

“Thick dust haze conditions are anticipated over the north, and “dust haze in visibility range of two to five kilometres over the central cities down to the inland states.

“Èarly morning mist are probable over the coastal cities in the next 24 hours,’’ NiMet predicted. (NAN)
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

Debts
By Olawunmi Ashafa
Lagos, Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) A Financial Analyst, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, has urged the National Assembly to boost infrastructure development and economic growth by reviewing the 2019 budgetary allocation for debt servicing.

Nzekwe, a past President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday while reacting to 2019 Appropriation Bill.

He said that the amount earmarked for debt servicing, put at N2.14 trillion, was higher than the proposed capital expenditure of N2.03 trillion.

The Accountant explained that the figures should have been vice-versa, pointing out that the existing arrangement placed the country at a disadvantage.

Nzekwe said the Federal Government should also ensure the vote for capital expenditure is higher than that of debt servicing.

The Accountant said that the projected revenue, especially from the oil sector was realistic because of price instability at the international oil market.

He further said that a fall in revenue might affect the servicing of the loans and the infrastructure development in the country.

Nzekwe said: “The amount for servicing of the debt is on the high side. It is almost the same with the capital expenditure budget.

“It is not good that such a huge money will be dedicated to debts. The government has to work assiduously to reduce the debts which the government continues incurring.

“Sometime when you look at these dedicated loans for the building of airports, rail project and others, you will see that there is nothing wrong with taking the loan from China..

“However, what is wrong is that China, also as the contractor will bring all the materials and even labour which they call experts.’’

“They (Chinese) will also bring plants and machinery which are so powerful that within one month, they will do the job of more 10,000 people.’’

According to him, everything about the coaches, the rail, tools and nuts to be used are imported from China.

“The only local content we have in terms of labour is so negligible and that is why we are not having the expected impact.

“At the end, you see that you end up paying the cost of the contracts,’’ he said.

Nigeria received funds from China to execute $3.4 billion worth of projects, now at various stages of completion.

These include the upgrading of airport terminals, the Lagos-Kano rail line, the Zungeru hydroelectric power project and fibre cables for the country’s internet infrastructure.

Nigeria also signed an additional $1billion loan from China for additional rolling stock for the newly-constructed rail lines as well as road rehabilitation and water supply projects.

The China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) in June announced that Nigeria contracted it to work on a rail line that connects Lagos and Kano.

Nzekwe noted that the Chinese company awarded the rail contract usually bring all the necessary machinery and workforce for the projects, thereby reducing local participation to a negligible size.

He suggested that at least there should be 40 per cent local participation in terms of labour used for the rail project.

“The Federal Government has to look at this area very well in order to have an impact on the economy.

“I am not happy with the amount the government will be using to service loan.

“In taking further loan, the government needs to take critical look at the agreement to ensure the nation’s loan does not continue to accumulate,” the Accountant said.

According to him, the recurrent expenditure is still high, so government has to reduce the cost of governance.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 19, presented a budget proposal of N8.83 trillion to the National Assembly.

The budget estimate indicated that recurrent expenditure would be N4.04 trillion and N2.14trillion for debt servicing.

On the state of infrastructure in the country, Nzekwe said: There is no road in Anambra State.

“ Enugu to Onitsha Road is all gullies.

“Such a major road should not be allowed by the Federal Government to depreciate to that level.

“I am not happy with the state of Federal roads in Anambra. The roads are dehumanising.’’ (NAN)
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Adeleye Ajayi

Thanksgiving

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abakaliki, Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has urged politicians and other Christian faithful to imbibe the culture of contentment and hardwork.

Umahi made the call during 2018 Special Thanksgiving Service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki on Sunday.

He advised Christians to use Christmas season as a period to share love, be in unity with another and show gratitude to God for better life, good health among other gifts from Him.

He said: “Continue with the culture of contentment and hardwork, he said.

The governor also called on the peolle to see thr season as an opportunity to extend love to others, forgive one another and show gratitude to neighbours and friends.

He commended members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishops and other clerics for their support to the present administration in the state.

The Government House Chaplin, Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi, during her sermon, said that thanksgiving accelerated one’ purpose in life.

Oyeyemi also described Thanksgiving as a catalyst that triggered all progress and achievements of people and government

“As a government, let us not forget that God is involved in all our achievements and we will thank Him in accordance with His work to us.

“Thanksgiving is key to next level and it determines where one would be.

“It is the acknowledgment of source of one’s efforts, strength, achievementa and attracts divine visitation from God ,” Oyeyemi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured thanksgiving by various ministries, National Assembly members, Elders council, the People Democratic Party (PDP) family among other groups. (NAN)

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Edited by Dada Ahmed

Osinbajo
By Chioma Ugboma
Lagos, Dec. 23, 2018 ( NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday took his door-to-door campaign to the Hausa commuity leader of Agege, Alhaji Musa  Dogonkadai.

The leader, who doubles as the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Council of Arewa in Lagos State, alongside members of his council, received the vice president amidst fanfare in his palace in Agege.

The vice president who arrived at the palace at about 4 p.m., was greeted by a large crowd  who chanted President Muhammadu Buhari’s name in different songs as they escorted him to the palace.

A meeting, which was held in closed-door between the vice president and the leader with his council, lasted for about 45 minutes.

Addressing newsmen, the Treasurer of Arewa Community in Agege, Alhaji Abdulkareem Abubakar, said the members felt happy that the vice president decided to pay the leader of Arewa Community a visit.

He said they would vote massively for All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 elections because they wanted continuity of good governance in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

“We are very happy with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to Arewa Community leaders in Agege. We are excited to see the vice president.

“We are enjoying this government. We don’t want money; what we want is peace, which we are enjoying from this government. We are enjoying peace in Agege and Lagos State and we want it to continue.

“Because we want continuity of good thing and peace, we are going to vote for APC candidates in 2019 elections. We are going to vote for Buhari, Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu, Obasa, Ogundimu and other APC candidates.”

Among those in Vice President Osinbajo’s entourage were the Senior Special Adviser to President on Political Matters, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu and Executive Secretary for Transportation, FCT. (NAN)

Chioma/IA

CNPP, former Defence Minister flay Amnesty International reports on Nigeria

Condemnation

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Benin, Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) A former Minister of Defence, Gen. Godwin Abbe,  on Sunday joined several Nigerians, including the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), in condemning the recent report of Amnesty International (AI) on uprisings in Nigeria.

Abbe, who turns Septuagenarian in January, was also a former Minister of Interior.

He queried the rational behind the Amnesty’s position, while addressing newsmen in Benin.

“The Amnesty International, are they here to help us or they are here to destabilise us? What kind of comments are they making?

“Somebody slapped my son, he has bitten him, my son is bleeding and you say I should not hit him with a club and break his head and remove the teeth that he used in biting my son.

“You will say you are Amnesty International and you are coming here to talk about fundamental human rights of people who are destroying and killing innocent Nigerians in the north eastern part of this country.

“Removing their teeth is what the Nigerian Army should be doing. We have to succeed in incapacitating them by any means possible. Incapacitating terrorists, anywhere in the world, is usually a long drawn struggle.

“We have to attain military victory substantially, clear the coast and then move development there.

“Give them water, give them light, empower the local government and then you have law and order; nobody will come and ask them whether they are Nigerians or not,” he said.

Similarly, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Edo chapter, alleged that some previous reports of AI had been biased, adding that the one in question did not reflect the true state of affairs in the country.

A statement by the state Chairman of CNPP, Mr Roy Oribhabor, said the chapter  expected the international NGO to be more concerned about the numbers of harmless Nigeria that have so far been murdered by Boko Haram.

“We are not impressed with the report and conclusion of Amnesty International; we frown at the conclusion reached by the global body.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari  to, as matter of patriotism and concern, draw the attention of AI to this report and call for investigation of its activities in Nigeria.

“In all the reports so far released in recent times, they show that the organisation is anti-Nigeria,” Oribhabor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AI alleged that 2,000 deaths occurred in 2018 due to farmers and herders clashes, claiming the number would have been significantly reduced had security operatives acted accordingly.

The Nigerian government, particularly the military authority, accused the group of plotting to ‘dismember’ the country and derail the ongoing war against terrorism.

NAN also reports that the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said AI’s goal was to cause the erosion of confidence in military commanders for the benefit of terrorists and criminals.

“Indeed, it is a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the leadership and cohesion of the military, thus demoralising them, thus affecting their performance.

“It would make them lose credibility and public support, thus giving terrorists and other criminal elements an upper hand,” he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Idris Abdulrahman

SON
By Chioma Ugboma
Lagos Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged importers of substandard goods to desist from wasting huge sums of money on importation of goods that have no consumer utility.

SON also said that such fake goods would end up being destroyed if intercepted, pointing out that the agency would stop at nothing to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

Director-General, SON, Osita Aboloma, represented by the Director, Compliance, SON, Mr Obiora Mmanfa, gave the charge at a destruction site in Lagos on Sunday.

“Please stop wasting your money importing substandard goods, we cannot afford to compromise on quality because the lives and property of Nigerians are paramount and our primary responsibility is to protect Nigerians from these goods that are injurious to families and the nation at large.

“We are here to destroy some substandard products we intercepted at the ports, borders and highway, we tested them and found out that they failed the basic parameters for standard products and some of the products have expired.

” We do not want these products to find their way into the markets, because they are harmful to human lives,” aboloma said.

He listed the products that were conveyed to the dumpsite as electric cable, cylinders, expired cigarette packaging materials, tyres, electric bulbs, motorcycle tubes, extension sockets and unfortified sugar.

According to him, about N22.7 billion worth of substandard goods have been destroyed so far this year, stating that the agency will intensify efforts to tighten the noose where most of the substandard goods find their way into the shores of the country.

“We have been destroying over time and for this year alone we have about  N22.7 billion worth of products where some have been destroyed while some are awaiting destruction.

“We have thousands of electric cables, stuffed tyres and cylinders in our warehouse waiting for further investigation and analysis,” he said.

He said that SON could not be happy destroying the goods because the action brought nothing but drain on the national economy and hard-earned foreign exchange, maintaining that SON remained a business facilitator established to help genuine businesses to grow.

“Our message to the importers is that we are not happy destroying these goods because it is a drain to the national economy and our hard-earned foreign exchange.

” Importers pay foreign exchange to import these products and when they bring them in, we seize and destroy them. This is not good for anybody.

“ We are appealing to them to do the right thing. Comply with our standards because we will not allow people who cut corners to cheat unsuspecting consumers in the country.

“We have our standards in all our state offices across the country, feel free to come in anytime to obtain these standards before importing goods into the country.

“We have many items to be destroyed here and more are coming. Once we conclude the investigation going through these products in our laboratory to check for conformity and they fail, we will bring them down here and destroy.

“This is a continuous process and we will not stop till we achieve our mandate of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians,”  he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Idris Abdulrahman

Centre

By Nabilu Balarabe

Hadejia (Jigawa), Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government has established a N65 million Adult Literacy Centre at Sankara in Ringim Local Government Council of Jigawa, an official has disclosed.

Dr Abubakar Abbas, the Executive Secretary, Agency for Mass Education in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia on Sunday.

He said government also spent N20 million to  provide  instructional materials for Adult Education Programme as well as vocational skills for women in the state.

The executive secretary said the intervention would complement the state government’s efforts toward the eradication of illiteracy.

Abbas said the agency had established 81 remedial classes in the state for over 20,000 students who failed Mathematics and English in their Secondary Schools Certificate Examination ( SSCE).

He said the agency had also settled the students’ examination  fees, adding that 85 per cent of them had passed the examination with good grades.

He noted that over 30, 000 people had benefited from the agency’s Adult Education Programmes, saying they include prisoners, married women and members of vigilance groups.

Abbas said the agency had achieved 95 per cent implementation of the 2018 budget.

“ We received N120 million out of the N130 million appropriated for us in this fiscal year,” he said.

Abbas expressed gratitude to Gov. Mohammed Badaru,  saying the governor’s support was critical to the success recorded by the agency. ( NAN)

NB/JPE/DUA

• Edited by Joseph Edeh/Dada Ahmed

Promotion

Omu-Aran (Kwara)  Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) A member of House of Representatives, Mr Raheem Olawuyi, has called on religious leaders to promote the campaign against hate speech and corruption.

Olawuyi represents Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara.

He made the call while addressing members of the  All Progressives Congress Party (APC), in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government area of Kwara on Sunday.

“The  menace of hate speech and corruption has done a lot to dampen our image and integrity.

” This is why the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is very much committed to its eradication,” he said.

He also called on parents to be alive to their responsibilities by promoting decent and ensuring moral upbringing of  their children.

Olawuyi also called on the political class to close ranks and embrace tolerance, to command the confidence of the electorate at all times.

“Definitely, our children are the leaders of tomorrow, we should do our best possible as religious leaders and parents to actualise their dreams and aspirations.”

He urged members of the party to remain dedicated and committed, adding that the challenges ahead required more sacrifice and steadfastness.

“While we were prayerful for God’s divine intervention that resulted in our recent victory, the 2019 general elections is another project that must be accomplished by God’s willing.”

He noted that the nation’s socio-economic and security challenges were surmountable through collective responsibility.

According to him, nothing under the sun can be accomplished without God’s assistance and permission.

“Therefore, fervent prayers, spiritual stability, magnanimous acts and love are what are needed in this holy period.

“This is the path toward ensuring growths, financial stability, peaceful co-existence among individuals and the larger society.

“In this period of economic depletion, political transition, we must seek the face of God, especially for our state and the country in general.

“We desire God to grant unto our political office holders, the knowledge, understanding and wisdom for good governance.

“Prayer for this great nation called Nigeria is our collective responsibility, especially in this Holy season.” (NAN)

ISHO/JPE/DUA

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Dada Ahmed

Elections
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Dec. 23, 2018 (NAN) The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have charged Nigeria and Senegal to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the conduct of elections are peaceful, free and transparent.

The leaders, who gave the charge in a final communiqué issued at the just concluded 54th Ordinary Session in Abuja on Sunday, directed the ECOWAS commission to provide the necessary support to the two countries.

“The Authority notes with satisfaction, the status of preparation for the general elections in Nigeria on Feb. 16, 2019 and presidential election in Senegal on Feb. 24, 2019 and urges the government and relevant electoral bodies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the elections are peaceful, free and transparent.”

They also lauded the smooth conduct of the presidential elections in Mali and congratulated President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on his re-election.

They instructed the commission to take measures to support the democratic process and implement the Agreement and the roadmap of March 22.

On the political situation in Togo, the leaders commended the endeavors of President Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana, President Alpha Conde of Republic of Guinea and ECOWAS facilitators in the resolution of the crisis.

They noted the readiness of the Togolese Government to organise local elections in 2019 and encouraged the active involvement of all stakeholders for a peaceful process.

The Heads of State encouraged the Togolese Government to intensify the peace and confidence-building measures between all political stakeholders to further ease the socio-political situation.

They also urged security forces to demonstrate professionalism in their mission of maintaining order and ensuring the security of people.

On The Gambia, the Authority lauded the positive developments in the political and security situation and further took note of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.

They also called on the country to swiftly implement the security sector reform programme.

On Guinea Bissau, the Heads of State expressed concern on the continued delay in the conduct of parliamentary elections, taking note of the challenges involved.

They further encouraged stakeholders to work towards the conduct of the forthcoming parliamentary elections on March 10, 2019 and also urged the commission to intensify technical support for smooth electoral process.

“The Authority mandates the Chairman to impose sanctions on the basis of proposals for the President of the commission, against stakeholders who obstruct the smooth conduct of the electoral process,” they directed.

The leaders also reaffirmed the importance of peace, security and stability in ECOWAS for the economic development of the region.

They also reiterated their condemnation of terrorist attacks and expressed solidarity with the affected countries.

They lauded the cooperation among certain member states intending to effectively combat the scourge of terrorism and instructed the commission to support and extend cooperation to the states.

The Heads of State also urged member states to expediate the simplification of information and intelligence sharing mechanisms and the harmonisation of their legal systems to respond to terrorist attacks.

The 54th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government had in attendance nine presidents while five were represented.

They are presidents Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Roch Kabore of Burkina Faso, Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Alpha Conde of Guinea, José Mário Vaz of Guinea Bissau, Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, Julius Madaa Bio of Sierra Leone and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo.

Senegal was represented by its Prime Minister, Mahammed Dionne, while The Gambia, Mali and Liberia were represented by their foreign ministers.

Benin was represented by its ambassador to Nigeria while Cape Verde was not present at the meeting. (NAN)
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