Blog

Jigawa Govt. awards 18 roads contracts worth N22.4bn

Contracts

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Dutse, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Aminu Usman, Jigawa Commissioner for Works, said on Saturday in Dutse, that the state government awarded 18 roads contracts worth over N22.4 billion.

Usman, who addressed newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Dec. 21, listed the projects as construction of four regional roads, eight township roads and six feeder roads.

“The Jigawa Government under the leadership of Gov. Badaru has decided to award contracts for the contraction of 18 roads.

“These roads project consist of different types that are regional, feeder and township.

“And the total amount for these contracts was over N22.4 billion,” Usman said.

He explained that contracts were awarded to different contractors that bided and complied with the rules of due process.

The commissioner pointed out that the state accorded special priority to the provision of good roads across the state.

According to him, government embarked on the projects to boost economic growth through transportation of goods and services.

“It was also to open up the state for agricultural development, enhance easy movement of farm produces to markets.

“This, we believe, will also make farming attractive to people, particularly our youths,” Usman said. (NAN)
MNB/GOM/OU
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Obike Ukoh

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ECOWAS
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations has described the West African region as shining example of peace consolidation and democracy on the continent making the positive role of ECOWAS recognised.

Mr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General said this at the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Saturday.

Chambas, who is also the Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), said significant progress had been made in the ECOWAS region.

“The past months have witnessed the successful conduct of elections, contributing to the progress the sub-region is making in consolidation of democracy.

The envoy, however, called on member states to intensify efforts to address “contentious issues” to prevent and mitigate election-related violence, human rights abuses and promote respect for the rule of law.

“Peace and security remain under threat, including an increasing number of terrorist attacks, the consequences which have a direct impact on development.

“We must intensify our efforts to reverse the trend. Conflicts between farmers and herders are among threats to peace and stability in the sub-region.

“The implementation of measures taken at the ECOWAS ministerial meeting of April 26 on this issue, will prevent and peacefully resolve these conflicts,” he said.

He also urged member states to strengthen efforts to ensure greater representation of women and youth in decision making positions across the region to harness its full human resources potential.

Chambas further called for enhanced collaboration to implement regional strategies to promote peace and stability in the region.

“Other significant challenges in the sub-region, for which concerted efforts are required, include Security Sector Reform, maritime piracy, drug-trafficking and transnational organised crimes,” he said

He reiterated the commitment of the UN in the promotion of inter-regional cooperation.

In his address, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Brou, lauded the efforts made in the development of the region.

Brou further urged member states to consolidate efforts to address challenges and promote peace and security in the region.

“Despite these undeniable advances, our community faces significant challenges.

“It is for us to continue to consolidate our Customs Union and common market, to deal with extremism and terrorism and to fight effectively against the effects of climate change on our economies.

“Employment, especially for young people, remains a priority for each of our member states. As in the past, these challenges will be overcome only in the solidarity and cohesion that have characterised our organisation since its creation,” he said.

The summit would consider the reports on ECOWAS Single Currency, the political situation in Guinea Bissau and Togo and any other business.

The Heads of State would also sign Community Acts and Decisions and consider the Annual Report of ECOWAS, reports of the 41st Ordinary Meeting of the Mediation and Security Council and the 81st Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. (NAN)
TOP/CHOM/SYC
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Yuletide: Prices of tomatoes, pepper drops in Enugu
By Maureen Ojinaka
Vegetables
Enugu, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Prices of tomatoes and pepper have dropped considerably in major markets in Enugu metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A market survey conducted by NAN on Saturday revealed that prices of both tomatoes and pepper had reduced when compared to what their prices were some months ago.
The price of a big basket of tomatoes sell between N12,000 and N14,500, depending on the specie of tomatoes as there are presently two species in the market.
The price of small baskets of tomatoes cost between N7,000 and N8,000.
A tomatoes seller at Akwata Market, Mrs Uju Ogbu, attributed the drop in price of tomatoes to harvesting season.
Ogbu says the UTC specie that comes from Jos are gradually coming into the market because this is its harvest period.
According to her, some months back, the UTC was sold between N17,000 and N18,500 while the other species from Benue was between N14,000 and N15,000.
Mrs Ijema Ewulu, another tomatoe trader at Garki market, said that the price of tomatoes would further crash as the season was gradually setting in.
Mrs Oluchi Eze, a customer, who came to buy tomatoes at Mayor Market, added that towards the end of every year, price of tomatoes tend to fall compared to the price in second quarter of the year.
Eze called on governments to build silos for traders who sell perishable items such as tomatoes, pepper and vegetables to preserve these perishable food items in order to make them available to customers every time.
Meanwhile, NAN observed that the price of red pepper had slightly dropped as a bag of medium size pepper was sold between N14,000 and N15,000.
“But now it is sold for N13,000 and N11,000 due to availability of Nsukka specie of both yellow and red pepper in Enugu’’.
Another specie of red pepper called ‘Tattashe’ is also available in the markets and a five litre paint container which is used for measurement is sold for N1,000 as against N1,200. (NAN)
OJI/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defection
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 5,000 people from different parties in Kwara South Senatorial District on Saturday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a rally in Omu-Aran, Kwara, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The decampees, majorly from the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), were received and presented with their membership cards at the APC campaign flag-off in respect of Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections.

The leaders of the new members, in their separate remarks at the event, expressed their commitment and readiness to contribute their quota toward ensuring the party’s victory at the poll.

According to them, only the APC at all levels of governance could help to actualise our yearnings and aspirations.

Dr Seyi Adigun, a PDP chieftain and decampee from Ajase Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area, in a remark, said every reasonable politician must be firm in taking positive decisions concerning his or her political career.

Adigun, presently a Board member, Kwara State School of Nursing, Oke-Ode, who claimed to represent over 1,500 members, said he was convinced that the APC truly represented the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Any reasonable person or politician must know the right time to stay or quit and as far as I’m concerned the APC by every standard represents the best interest of Nigerian people.

“I have the conviction that in any free, fair and credible election in Nigeria like the recently concluded by-election in the state, the APC will always come out victorious,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Dare Bamkole, a leader of the decampees from Oke-Ero Local Government Area (LGA) and a former Special Assistant on Sports to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, said their defection was informed by APC’s overwhelming and people’s oriented manifestos.

Mr Bashir Bolarinwa, the state APC Chairman, while receiving the decampees, said he remained the party’s authentic chairman in the state irrespective, of a recent High Court judgment nullifying the party’s state executive.

He decried the verdict as pronounced by the High Court judge, saying the judge chose to be, in spite of overwhelming evidences and undisputable documents from the party to back his defence.

Bolarinwa urged the new members to be dedicated to the party’s principles and ideals, saying the challenges ahead required more commitment and sacrifice.

“What is important to us is that none of our party members should lose sleep over such a judgment.

“I want to make it also clear that all our candidates for the 2019 general elections remained intact and that I Bashir Bolarinwa remained the authentic chairman of APC in Kwara State,” he said.

Rep. Raheem Olawuyi, the recently sworn-in lawmaker, representing  Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency and also the party’s candidate for the same slot in 2019 general elections, was optimistic of his victory at the poll.

He promised that his present and future representation would help to accelerate the desired socio-economic development of the constituency.

“We still stand by our promise to the electorate before our victory in the last by-election that we are going to do things differently as way of impacting positively on our people.

“This will be in accordance with the desired growth, progress and development envisioned for the constituency,’’ Olawuyi said.

NAN reports that the campaign witnessed large attendance of party members and leaders across the four councils in the constituency and beyond. (NAN)
ISHO/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

ActionAid urges FG to adopt progressive taxation to reduce poverty

Taxation

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) ActionAid Nigeria, an international NGO, has called on the Federal Government to adopt progressive taxation to reduce the level of poverty in the country.

Mr Adeduntan Adewale, Manager, Social Mobilisation of the NGO, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

He observed that there was no relationship between tax payers and the taxes they paid, adding that the taxes do not work for them and the poor are at the receiving end.

“The way to go is for the government to adopt progressive taxation. A tax administration that will lift people out of poverty and enhance better quality life.

“Government should ensure that those who earn high, pay high and vice versa.

“Also, those who enjoy unnecessary tax holidays should be made to pay to the last decimal.

“Leakages, as much as possible, should be blocked in the tax administration.

“Such system could go a long way in reducing the level of poverty in the country, in the sense that taxes collected from multinationals and wealthy people are used to provide the necessary facilities for the people.

“Tax administration should also be in such a way that is very convenient for people to pay. I realise that when Nigerians know that their taxes are being properly utilise, they are going to queue up and pay.

“But people might be reluctant to pay, because they cannot see any correlation between the taxes being paid and the social services being rendered by government.

“Look at our roads, you waste many hours plying roads to your office, business centre and home. Look at the gullies and crevices on our highways.

“It is not too bad if you get your vehicle damaged; some people have paid the ultimate price; they have lost their lives, some are living with permanent injury or disability today,’’ he said.

According to Adewale, these are happening because the taxes people pay do not work for them.

He explained that the best way to go was to block leakages and ensure that people outside of the tax bracket were made to fall within.

“Whatever monies that we make out of the taxation process should be used judiciously. The problem with Nigeria is that we have good policies, but implementation is the challenge.

“Possible enforcement of the policies we have from taxation should be upheld to ensure we have a tax administration that works for all,” Adewale said. (NAN)

CMY/KTO/WOJ

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Wale Ojetimi

Summit

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Morocco is not on the agenda of the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS’ Heads of State and Government, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Morocco had requested to be a member of ECOWAS while Tunisia requested to be an observer country.

The 51^st Ordinary Session held in Monrovia, Liberia in June 2017 agreed, in principle, to Morocco’s membership of the sub-regional bloc and directed the commission to consider the implications of the country’s membership.

The commission confirmed that study on the impact of Morocco’s membership was carried out and the outcome would be submitted to the Authority.

Morocco’s Foreign Ministry had reportedly said that the country had to wait until the first quarter of 2018 to know the decision of the ECOWAS Heads of State, which would be announced at an extraordinary session.

The decision was, however, expected to be considered at the 2018 session taking place in Abuja on Saturday.

The summit would, nevertheless, consider the reports on ECOWAS Single Currency, the political situation in Guinea Bissau and Togo among any other business.

According to the Draft Work Programme, the session would also sign Community Acts and Decisions and read to the ECOWAS Political Declaration and Common Position on the Return of Cultural Artefacts to Africa.

The Authority would also consider the Annual Report of ECOWAS, reports of the 41st Ordinary Meeting of the Mediation and Security Council and the 81st Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. (NAN)
TOP/AIB
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde

Conviction

By Deborah Coker

Benin, Dec 22, 2018 (NAN) A Mobile Court of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Edo Command has convicted 93 persons for various road traffic offences.

The Edo Sector Commander of the Corps, Mr Anthony Oko, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Oko disclosed that 117 road traffic offenders were prosecuted and 24 of them discharged at the two mobile sittings done on Wednesday and Thursday.

He said that setting up the mobile court was part of the measures taken to enforce “Operation Zero Tolerance” to ensure safety on the roads in the state during the Yuletide.

The sector commander told NAN that Chief Magistrate, Evelyn Edokpayi, presided over the proceedings.

He said that the command planned to have 12 mobile court sittings between Dec. 19 and Jan. 15, 2019.

He disclosed that the prevailing offences from the records of the court sittings held so far were tyre violation, speed limiting device violation and use of mobile phones while driving, among others.

The sector commander also told NAN that the command had deployed 416 personnel for special patrol before, during and after the Yuletide with 21 patrol vehicles also deployed.

He further said that two towing trucks, one tow van and two ambulances had been deployed, adding that the command had discovered 29 flash points within the 26 routes in the state.

Oko further disclosed that since the commencement of the operation, there had been six road crashes with two deaths recorded while 30 persons sustained injuries.

The sector commander added that two of the crashes were fatal, while three were serious.

He said the command was poised to ensuring safety on the road before, during and after Christmas. (NAN)

DCO/AO/EMO

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Edited by Angela Okisor/Ejike Obeta

Tourism

By Justina Auta

Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Paul Ukachukwu,  Project Manager, Akweaba African Travel Market, has called on travel agencies and other stakeholders  to organize exhibition fairs to promote Nigeria’s rich tourism potentials.

Ukachukwu made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, organising regular fairs will provide a platform for Nigeria to showcase its rich and natural potentials that will further encourage tourists to partake and experience the beauty of the country.

He said it was in view of this that the travel agency recently organised a fair in Lagos to enable participants from over 20 countries including Dubai, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ghana and Ethiopia to exhibit the tourism assets and potentials in the industry.

“ This is a place Africa meets the world, it is a place you tell the world about Africa; this is what we are doing, and what we can give you. It markets and positions Africa as a tourism destination.

“ Annually, we have over 200 people we give visas to on arrival in Nigeria from outside the country.  We do a lot to attract people into the country without government support.

“ It is a travel and tourism firm,  a platform whereby buyers and sellers meet face to face and network without any barrier, ‘’ he said.

According to him, the platform has been able to increase the influx of tourists into Nigeria and Africa at large, as well as encourage private sector to delve into the tourism, hospitality and travel business.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to continue to showcase positive images about Nigeria, which would further encourage tourists to visit the numerous sites and enjoy the lifestyle of the society. (NAN)
JAD/AO/IA
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Idris Abdulrahman

Budget

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Sokoto State Executive Council has approved N169.65 billion for the state’s 2019 budget for presentation to the state House of Assembly.

The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Shehu Rara, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the council meeting in Sokoto.

Rara said, “the 2019 budget estimate of N169.652 billion had been considered and approved by the council for onward presentation to the state House of Assembly.

“The budget involved a number of issues which come across various sectors of human development,” the commissioner said.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, also said that the council had approved N548 million for the renovation of Sultan Abubakar III International Airport access road.

Goronyo added that the council also approved N128 million for additional structures, road network and children’s play ground equipment among other needs at the International Conference Centre of the state.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ali Inname, disclosed that the council approved N2.443 billion for the construction and equipping of a new advance diagnosis centre within the state metropolis.

Inname added that the council had also approved N55.7 million variation cost for the renovation of Dange General Hospital in Dange/Shuni Local Government Area.

He said, “this project had earlier been given in 2013 at the cost of N 172 million, but the long period of abandonment and the increase in cost of materials necessitated the variation cost.”

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hajiya Kulu Abubakar, also disclosed that the council had approved N 98.83 million for the renovation of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Technical College Bafarawa.

Commissioner for Higher Education Isa Bajini said the council approved N96.7 million for the supply of text books for Shehu Shagari College of Education Library to improve reading culture among students.

According to the Commissioners, all the projects are with 30 per cent down payment and to be completed within six months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Aminu Tambuwal will present the state’s 2019 budget on Monday before the state House of Assembly. (NAN)

BMN/IA
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Clergyman admonishes politician against spilling blood in quest of power

Blood

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Delta Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, has admonished politicians staining their hands with blood in the quest for power and position.

Okorote gave the admonition during the 2018 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carol organised by the state Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Delta Broadcasting Service and the Pointer newspaper in Asaba.

In a sermon titled “Peace through Reconciliation Works of Jesus Christ,” the clergyman said “power is from God; you don’t need to kill or involve in ritual killings in order to get into position.

He further advised youths to shun all forms of social vices especially anything that had to do with taking human lives, among others.

“As youths, you must quit ritual killings and reject ‘yahoo’ boys. It is time to stop ritual killings and collection of female under-wears for ritual purposes,’’ he said.

The CAN chairman also urged Christians to seek peace with everybody in order to have the blessings of God.

Also speaking, The Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, urged Nigerians to reconcile with God in order to attract peace in all spheres of life.

Okowa, who noted that Christmas is the season of reconciliation added, “it is time to reconcile with God. When you come back to God, you are sure to have peace in every sphere of your life.’’

The governor also stressed the need for Christians to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus Christ, saying “once you receive Jesus Christ you receive His peace.’’

He thanked God for his blessings and peace upon the state as well as the people.

He also commended the clergymen and traditional rulers in the state for their support by ensuring unity and peace in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion attracted gospel preachers, traditional rulers, students and civil servants from across the state. (NAN)

MOA/IKU/EMO

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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Ejike Obeta