Blog

Patronage

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abakaliki, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Traders in Abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi,  have decried low patronage of livestock and food stuffs by customers even as Christmas and New Year celebrations approach.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki,  the traders also alleged that they were subjected to monetary extortion by unscrupulous elements at  various check points on the road leading to the state capital.

The Vice Chairman, Goat Dealers Association at the Garki Market,  Alhaji Musa Yusuf, identified the lack of money as the reason for the low level of sale.

He said: “Goat, which was sold at between N18, 000 and N25, 000, now sells at between N30, 000, N45,000, depending on the size of the animal.

“N15, 000 has been added to the price of each  animal depending on the size.”

Similarly, Alhaji Tijjani Umar, who is the Patron, Goat and Cattle Sellers Association, attributed the low rate of patronage to scarcity of money.

“We transport them from Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, and from some other states for N170, 000 and we are forced to settle different individuals in the name of paying tax at every check point and this can cost up to N200, 000, which we pay up before we get here,”  he lamented.

The Vice Chairman, Cattle Dealers Association in the area, Alhaji Lawal Ahmed, alleged that traders had been subjected to that sort of treatment for more than five years.

Ahmed, therefore, urged government at all levels to address the situation, which he referred to as a major challenge to livestock traders.

“The cows, which used to sell for N300,000, N350, 000 and N150, 000 in 2017 respectively, depending on their sizes, now sell ft for N370,000, N450,000 and N200,000 respectively, ” ahmed said.

Mrs Cecilia Odi and Mrs Celina Okike, Tomato sellers, also said that a basket of tomatoes, which sold for between N4, 500 and N5,000 in November, now sells at N15,000.

They told NAN that one could easily incur losses in the business due to the unimpressive turnout of customers.

“Transportation and expenses are our major problem in the business.

“We buy cheap and sell at a higher rate due to expenses we incur at check points as we transport the products to the market.

“Transporting the goods used to cost N60, 000, but now we will require N150, 000 to transport the goods to the market,” they said.

They further lamented that the expenses incurred when transporting the goods from Gboko in Benue to Abakaliki were too much for them to bear.

Another trader, Mr Kenneth Ofoke, a bird seller, also blamed the slight difference in price and low patronage on lack of funds and the state you theeconomy.

“The old layer birds, which sold previously for between N1,500 and N1,400, now sell for between N1,700 and N1,600 depending on their sizes.

“Also, broiler birds, which sold for between N2,000 and N2,200, now sell between N2, 500 and Net no patronage,” Ofoke said. (NAN)

UVU /AO/YEE

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Edited by Angela Okisor/Emmanuel Yashim

Hockey

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian male hockey team on Friday in Abuja defeated their Ghanaian counterparts 4-2 in the Masters Tournament for veterans at the ongoing 2018 Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Masters, which is in its fourth edition, is a tournament meant for ex-internationals.

It aims to enhance the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana and foster the bond of unity between the veterans who had represented their countries in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

In Friday’s game played at the astro-turf pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, the hosts took control of the game right from the start, making dangerous incursions into the opponents’ half.

The pressure paid off as they opened scoring as early as in the 5th minute through Razaq Ndana from a brilliant field goal.

The goal seemed to spark life into the Ghanaian team as they looked for an equaliser, even though they found it hard to penetrate the hosts’ resolute defence.

The visitors had to wait until the third quarter before they found a breakthrough, through a fantastic solo run by James Modson down the left side of the Nigerian defence.

Modson outwitted three defenders in the process before flicking the ball past the goalkeeper to level scores at 1-1 in the 35th minute.

The hosts quickly replied one minute later with a brilliant field goal by Ahmed Mabudi, which was arguably the best goal of the match.

With the scores at 2-1, the fourth quarter stage was set for the final and decisive showdown between both countries, and the Ghanaians drew the first blood.

Seyram Dzefi drew level in the 50th minute after his stick connected with a powerful shot by Ben Asante from 30 yards out for a 2-2 scoreline.

But the hosts were having none of it as they again quickly replied one minute later with a perfectly-executed penalty corner by Razaq Ndana.

He drag-flicked the ball into the top left corner of the goalkeeper’s post.

Baba Ndana then added a fourth in the 59th minute to seal victory for Nigeria.

Abdul Ningi, the President of Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), in a post-match reaction said it was a sweet victory for Nigeria, having won the title for the very first time.

“For a very long time, there has been this rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria.

“The Ghanaians have beaten us thrice since the inception of the Masters in 2016.

“So, this was like a payback time for us,” he said.

Ningi however noted that the Ghanaians were a formidable side and boast of a very strong team, stressing that the game was basically to enhance the relationship between both countries.

“One thing going for them is that the players all reside in Accra city, which makes them a more formidable side as they have easily blended together as a team playing together regularly.

“Our case is different as we are scattered all over the country which makes it difficult for us to train together as a team.

“In fact, we only just came together to train for a day or two before the game.

“Part of what we are trying to do is to actually enhance our relationship with Ghana.

“The rivalry is clearly evident, but then there is also the friendship after all is said and done,” he said.

Ben Asante, the President of Ghana Hockey Association, on his part said the game was all about fun and camaraderie.

“We have come this far just to play with our friends in Nigeria.

“It’s all about team-building. It’s fun for we the veterans to come out here and just push yourselves to the limit.

“You are looking at 45 to 50-year-olds running around in shorts and socks.

“I think the younger ones can learn a thing or two from us.

“The whole idea is to keep hockey going. If the Masters don’t get involved in hockey, the game may die a gradual death.

“So far, we have played twice in Accra and twice in Nigeria. It is all about fun and we look forward to doing it again,” he said.

NAN also reports that the Female Masters Tournament which was introduced for the first time in the championship saw Ghana beat Nigeria by a lone goal.

The climax of the Masters was a dinner and awards night for well-deserving veterans of the game.

The 2018 ACCC which began on Saturday will end this Saturday with the finals and classification matches in the male and female categories.(NAN)

VO/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Election

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Dec. 21,2018(NAN)The presidential candidate, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Oby Ezekwesili, has warned against thuggery, military intimidation and harassment of voters in the 2019 elections.

Speaking on Friday at a forum on Violence Free Elections, Ezekwesili said the absence of thuggery and military intimidation would be part of the conditions that would guarantee a violence-free poll.

The forum was organised by Presidential Summit Centre in collaboration with Forum of Presidential Candidates towards a peaceful conduct of elections.

Ezekwesili urged other presidential candidates to believe in the peace accord signed and work towards achieving it.

”You know there is a peace accord. In our own case, we signed, not because it is a ceremony but because we believe in it,” she said.

Ezekwesili also listed signing of amended electoral bill and non-interference of military personnel at the polls as conditions for violence free elections.

She therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the court of public opinion and address lingering electoral issues ahead of the poll.

She called on the President to sign the amended 2018 Electoral Bill into law.

According to her, President Buhari should exhibit an examplary leadership quality that will ensure the election does not end up taking the country and the people down.

She urged the National Assembly to ensure the people have those rules that would enable the country to have electoral integrity.

“We also need to have the rules of the game as far as the military structures are concerned to ensure that they are not in anyway complicit in election malpractice.

“We should therefore come together to agree on the rules of the game as far as the use of military is concerned.

”We don’t want a situation where the military will carry out a coup from the back door. None of us will accept that,” she said.

The spokesperson, Presidential Summit Centre, Princess Zara Mustapha Audu, stated that the Centre was set up to improve elections in Nigeria by educating both the aspirants and the electorate on the need for a peaceful election.

Also speaking, Dele Babalola of the Base University said that hate speech and fake news were capable of inciting violence.

He urged politicians to engage in issue based campaigns, while security agencies should be neutral during elections.(NAN)

IAA/CHOM/WOJ
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Wale Ojetimi

Hockey

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Kada Stars male hockey club of Kaduna and Niger Flickers of Minna both lost their final matches in the round-robin phase of the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions on Friday.

Kada Stars lost 1-2 to GRA of Ghana to finish sixth in the six-club male competition, recording five losses from five matches, scoring six goals and conceding 18.

Niger Flickers lost 3-4 to Exchequers of Ghana and placed fifth, having recorded three points after securing a win (a 3-1 defeat of Kada Stars) from five matches.

They conceded 17 goals and scored 10.

Both sides joined their female counterparts on the losing side, after the Delta Queens of Asaba and Kada Queens of Kaduna finished sixth and fifth respectively in their six-club competition also.

Delta Queens and Kada Queens had near-identical results, but the latter edged the former on goals difference.

Both had two draws each from five matches each, but Kada Queens scored one goal and conceded five, while Delta Queens scored four and conceded 15.

The final results in the round-robin phase meant Delta Queens will face Kada Queens on Saturday morning in the 5^th and 6^th classification match.

The same situation applies to Kada Stars and Niger Flickers too, and they will meet in the 5^th and 6^th classification match on Saturday morning.

In the other classification matches, Eastern Company of Egypt which finished third in the male competition’s earlier phase will take on Exchequers of Ghana which finished fourth.

Ghana Police and USIU of Kenya finished third and fourth respectively in the round-robin phase of the female competition, and will now face off in the classification game.

Telkom of Kenya who topped the table at the end of the round-robin phase will take on second-placed GRA of Ghana in the match for the female competition’s overall winners.

Competition’s defending champions El-Sharkia of Egypt will take on the GRA Men club of Ghana in the battle for the men’s competition title.

Both sides had placed first and second respectively in the round-robin matches, where they drew 4-4 in their on the opening day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championships holding at the astro-turf pitch of the Abuja National Stadium had began on Saturday and will end this Saturday.

Below are the clubs’ final placings after the round-robin matches, and the pairings in the final/classification matches and their times:

Male Competition

Team                                  P       W      D        L      GF      GA       GD     Pts

El-Sharkia of Egypt          5         4       1         0       26       15        +11     13

GRA of Ghana                  5         3        2        0       13        9          +4      11

Eastern Company of Egypt 5        3        0        2       15       10         +5       9

Exchequers of Ghana         5         2        1        2        12       13        -1        7

Niger Flickers of Minna     5        1        0         4        10       17        -7        3

Kada Stars of Kaduna        5        0        0         5         6         18       -12       0

Female Competition

Team                                  P       W      D        L      GF      GA       GD     Pts

Telkom of Kenya               5        4       0        1        11        3          +8       12

GRA of Ghana                   5        3       2        0         9         0           +9      11

Ghana Police                      5        3       1        1        9         5            +4      10

USIU of Kenya                   5       1       1        3        4        10           -6        4

Kada Queens of Kaduna     5       0       2        3        1         5            -4        2

Delta Queens of Asaba       5       0       2        3        4         15          -11       2

Final/Classification Pairings

Kada Queens vs Delta Queens         7:00 a.m.

Niger Flickers vs Kada Stars            8:45 a.m.

Eastern Company vs Exchequers     10:00 a.m.

Ghana Police  vs USIU                     12:00 noon

Telkom vs GRA Ladies                     2:00 p.m.

El-Sharkia vs GRA Men                      4:00 p.m.
(NAN)

VO/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Promotion

By Kazeem Akande

Lagos, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Zonal Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in charge of Ogun and Lagos States on Friday decorated 103 newly promoted officers and Marshals.

Mr John Meheux, the Zonal Commander in charge of Zone 2, while decorating the officers, urged them to put in extra efforts to their duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly decorated officers include 52 officers and 51 marshals.

”I most sincerely congratulate all the newly promoted officers and marshals on behalf of FRSC Board and Management for their well deserved promotion.

”I, therefore, charge all of you to bring new zeal into your duties.

”The expectations of the government in ensuring that the very purpose for the creation of the corps, which is reduction and elimination of crashes on our roads, still remain relevant.

”Promotion is from God, I, therefore, charge you to put in extra efforts in ensuring that the corps’ corporate strategies of zero fatalities are achieved,” he said.

Meheux advised others, who for one reason or the other were not promoted, to be of good spirit and put in more efforts.

“God willing, next year promotion exercise will be good.

”Much is expected of all of us, heavy traffic is being experienced on all our corridors, I charge you all to be alive to your duties and be ready to work 24 hours,” Meheux said.

In his remarks, Mr Innocent Etuk, the Ojota Unit Commander, who was among the newly promoted officers, thanked God for the promotion.

Etuk said that the promotion came as a challenge to work harder than before.

”To whom much is given much is expected; so, I will work harder to prove my worth in my new rank. Now from Assistant to Deputy Corps Commander, it is a call to duty,” he said.

Also, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, the Mowe Unit Commander, in Ogun,  said that the promotion would encourage the newly promoted officers to work harder and perform more than before. (NAN)

AKA/FF/GOK
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye

NEITI
By Edith Ike-Eboh
Abuaj, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) says that total financial flows from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector reduced to 17.05 billion dollars in 2016, indicating a 31 per cent decline on the 24.79 billion dollars generated in 2015.

NEITI disclosed this in its 2016 Oil and Gas Audit Report released in Abuja on Friday.

The report revealed that the decline was a 75 per cent plunge on the sector’s peak earnings of 68.44 billion dollars generated in 2011.

It noted that the 2016 figure was the lowest in 10 years and the fifth lowest in the 18 years covered by NEITI’s audit reports from 1999 to 2016.

The report blamed the plunge in revenue in 2016 on the low oil prices in the global market and reduced oil production in Nigeria, which in turn was caused by disruption and vandalism of oil assets and spike in crude theft, among others.

It added that the yearly average price of crude oil per barrel stood at 43.73 dollars in 2016 as against 52.5 dollars in 2015.

It said that a total of oil production in 2016 was 659 million barrels as against 776 million barrels produced in 2015

This, it noted was a decline of 15 per cent.

“The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas’ NLNG, dividend, loan and interest repayment for 2016 dipped by 63.5 per cent to $390.2 million, as against $1.07 billion recorded in 2015,’’ it added

On crude oil theft and sabotage, it revealed that the country lost about 101 million barrels of crude oil to theft and sabotage valued at 4.4 billion dollars

“Of the total loss, Seplat Petroleum Development Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, accounted for 81 million barrels of crude oil lost through sabotage, while 20 other oil companies recorded 19.8 million barrels lost to theft.

“Losses due to crude oil theft and sabotage rose from 27 million barrels in 2015 to 101 million barrels in 2016, an increase of 274 per cent.

“This was aside losses due to deferment, which in 2016 was put at 144 million barrels which also went up by 65 per cent when compared to the 87.5 million barrels in 2015,” it said.

On cash calls and Joint Ventures (JV), the report said that 8.2 billion dollars was budgeted for cash calls in 2016, out of which 5.5 billion dollars was released and 4.9 billion dollars was paid.

It added that Non-Joint Venture, JV, cash call expenses came to 874 million dollars, representing 17.59 per cent of cash call expenditure.

It further revealed that the contribution of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped from 9.5 per cent in 2015 to 8.3 per cent in 2016.

On gas production, it said that total gas produced in 2016 was 3.051 trillion Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) out of which 288.209 billion SCF was flared, representing 9.45 per cent of production.

“A total of 126 million barrels, valued at  5.48 billion  dollars or N1.37 trillion, was earmarked for domestic consumption, allocated as follows: 23 million barrels (18%) for refineries, 55.9 million barrels (45%) for Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP), 36.6 million barrels (29%) for PPMC lifting and 10.4 million barrels (8%) for offshore processing.

“From the money for domestic crude allocation (DCA), NNPC deducted the following upfront: N512 billion for JV cash call; N126.5 billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance; N99 billion for under-recovery and N20 billion for crude losses,” it said. (NAN)
ENO/IS
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APC
Election
By Cecilia Ijuo
Owerri, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Reactions have trailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s endorsement of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Imo Governorship Candidate for the 2019 election.

Lawmakers and party chieftains, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews described the endorsement as a welcome development.

The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole had at a rally to flag-off campaign of the Imo governorship candidate on Friday in Owerri, disclosed Buhari’s support for Uzodinma’s candidature.

Sen. Abdullahi Gumel (APC-Jigawa), who was at the rally, said the endorsement was an indication that the president was responsive to the people’s yearning.

He said the support had further boosted the party’s popularity and support in the state, adding that “APC has been made stronger with Mr President’s support”.

“The mammoth crowd that turned out for the rally was an indication that Imo people are APC people,” gumel said.

A former lawmaker, Sen. Ayogu Eze, said nothing could be as assuring as having the president’s support for a candidate.

He urged those who could not make it in the primaries to take it in good fate and join hands with Uzodinma to restore the mandate of the people.

“Politics is a contestation. Everybody wants to be the one but the one that has the grace of God and favour on him always comes up.

“So, the rest will have no option than to come round whoever has emerged,” he said.

On the turnout for the rally, the former lawmaker said: “It was a very huge ceremony that has sent clear signal that the South East is shifted from any other political alignment to the national movement which is the APC.

“You saw the crowd and the effort to frustrate the flag-off. It was a success all the same.

“There was a clear message from our people and that is what you are seeing all over the South East Zone.

“There is a movement, a paradigm shift and there is a realignment and there is no pulling back the force,” he said.

An APC Chieftain in Imo, Mr Longers Anyanwu, said the president’s action on the Imo governorship primaries was an indication that he was a democrat.

Anyanwu, a former Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Imo, said “Buhari does not meddle in the internal political process of our party.

“He is a man with the father figure and ready to embrace anybody that emerges as a result of popular wish.

“This is the climax of a struggle to correct the ills suffered by the people of the state.

“All these while it seems that the party is unpopular because of the unpopular leadership.

“Today the National Working Committee and the entire leadership of the APC has proved that Imo is important to them and Imo people have shown solidarity and love,” he said.

He commended the choice of Uzodinma, saying he was a grassroots politician.

He said that Imo people had been desirous of a man like Uzodinma who have the interest of the people at heart. (NAN)
CJM/CHOM/IS
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ismail Abdulaziz

(more…)

TraderMoni
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Asaba, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday visited the Warri Main Market and Ogbe Ogonogo Market, Asaba in Delta State to assess the disbursement of the TraderMoni scheme.

TraderMoni is an Empowerment Scheme of the Federal Government created specifically for petty traders and artisans across the country.

Under the scheme, two million petty traders across the country would get N10,000 collateral-free loans this year.

Osinbajo, shortly after touching down at the Warri Airport, proceeded to the Palace of Olu Of Warri Ogiame Ikenwoli for a courtesy visit.

Osinbajo was given massive welcome at the palace where he addressed an enthusiastic crowd.

He explained that TraderMoni, a brainchild of President Muhammadu Buhari, was meant to empower no fewer than 2 million petty traders in 2018.

“Today, I am here to flag off the TraderMoni scheme –one of those schemes initiated by President Buhari.

“We have looked at the whole commercial landscape of Nigeria; the largest number of people engaged in commerce are petty traders.

“They are small traders; some of them table top traders; some of them selling on trays and the whole is usually not more than N2000 to N5000.

“The president then decided, following an experience which he had with the Katsina Foundation which he was the chairman, that it is important to give these petty traders some kind of a loan—N10,000.

“When they pay back, we give them N15,000, when they pay back, we give them 20,000 and we keep increasing all the way to N100,000 so long as they come back.

“It is meant to empower the petty traders,’’ he said.

The vice president said that there was nothing political about the scheme as was being insinuated.

He said it was unfortunate that because the scheme had gained popularity, some people were attacking it.

At the Warri Main Market, Osinbajo was given a rousing welcome by a waiting crowd which cheered and hailed as the vice president acknowledged cheers.

He went round the market lines and stalls to have a one on one exchange with the traders.

Afterwards, the vice president proceeded to palace of Ovie of Ughelli Wilson Oharisi 111 on a courtesy call.

At the Ogbe Ogonogo Market, Asaba, Osinbajo was also received by broom wielding crowd.

He went round the market and had one on one interactions with the traders who told the vice president their successes with the TraderMoni.(NAN)
CJ/IS
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Poaching

By Monday Ajogun

Benin, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Edo Government is not disposed to the recruitment of the state’s athletes without due process, the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said on Friday in Benin.

Shaibu who held a meeting with  the state’s Sports Commission officials, said necessary steps should be taken if any state wants to poach an Edo athlete.

He added that the state government was willing to  go into partnership with any any state interested in its athletes.

“We need to have a good collaboration in helping the state in regaining its lost glory. Gov. Godwin Obaseki is willing to put in his best to assist in this cause.

“We are going to put a programme in place across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state to select athletes for the state sports festival next year.

“Since we are the ones hosting the 2020 edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), we need to start preparing ahead,” the deputy governor said.

In his remarks, the state Sports Director, Sunny Airende, thanked the state government for being supportive during  the just-concluded 19th NSF in Abuja.

Airende assured the state government that the athletes would continue to put in their best in helping the state regain its lost glory in sports.(NAN)

AJOM/OSA/OLAL

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(Edited by Shittu Obassa and Olawale Alabi)