Blog

Accord

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, Dec.21, 2018(NAN) More than 20 gubernators candidates, warming for election in  Bauch state have signed accord to ensure peaceful polls in the state.

Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi,the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, disclosed this in Bauchi during the signing of the peace accord by the candidates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event  was done under the auspices of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security(ICCES) in Bauchi.

Abdullahi described the ‘Peace accord as key in a democratic practice.

“The peace pact, signed was an enunciation of all the Do’s and Don’ts  of the electoral process with regards to campaigns and soliciting for votes by parties and candidates,” he said.

The commissioner urged the candidates to play politics by the rules and abide by the code of conduct.

He assured that INEC would continue to be neutral, professional and efficient in the electoral process.

NAN reports that ICCES comprises of state men and women, traditional and religious leaders.

The incumbent Governor of Bauchi state, Mohammed Abubakar was among the candidates that signed the peace accord.(NAN)

AE/OOA/DUA

Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Dada Ahmed

FRSC plans faster response to distress calls in Bauchi

Security

By Ayinde Olaide Abdulsaheed

Bauchi, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi State has intensified measures to fast track the corps’ response to distress calls during Christmas and New year celebration.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Friday, the Deputy Corps Commander, Mr Paul Guar, said the Corps had strategically placed ambulances in some areas in order to respond to distress calls faster.

“As regards the preparation of the Corps towards Christmas and New Year celebration, we have made interim arrangements.

“We established what is called help areas where ambulances are located.

“These are areas being created for this period to be able to respond to any emergency that may take place along the axis where they are established.

“This is done so that the time for the corps to respond to any emergency or distress call would be swift and short.

“For instance, there is an emergency point at Bayara, there is one before getting to Toro Local Government, one at Gombe road, one at Maiduguri road.

“We also have one at Kano road and we have those that would cover Bauchi metropolis, Tafawa-Balewa, Dass and Bogoro axis,” Guar said.

The commander said that the action was taken based on the operation order for 2018 Christmas and New Year celebration they received from the headquarters.

Gaur, however, explained that the corps was still willing to work with the media and the public in order to get first hand information.

He said such information include those on traffic situation where there was obstruction that may consequently constitute hazard to other road users in the state.

Gaur reiterated that FRSC would not relent in its determination to sensitise road users on safe driving and the need to comply with road rules and regulations in the state. (NAN)

EED/KTO/SOA

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Oluwole Sogunle

Immunisation
By Bosede Oufunmi
Kano, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Government has immunised 102,403 children from age zero to five years in the last round of polio campaign in Dala Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of Dala Local Government, Alhaji Haruna Gunduwawa, in Kano on Friday.

He said that there were no reports of rejection and non-compliance from parents in the area.

In the statement, Hajiya Aishatu Sani, the Primary Healthcare Coordinator of the area, described the immunisation exercise as impressive, adding that it showed the acceptance of the vaccination among residents of the area.

The coordinator also said that the exercise was administered free of charge to infants at all health facilities of the local government.

Sani lauded the area council, traditional institutions, and non-governmental organisations for their support to healthcare delivery services in the area. (NAN)
BO/OOA/IS
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Ismail Abdulaziz

Promotion

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Akure,Dec.21,2018(NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) has promoted at least, 31 officers and men to their next rank in Ondo State command.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that four officers, 13 Marshal Inspectors and 14 Road Marshal inspectors were promoted.

Mr Rotimi Adeleye, State FRSC Sector Commander, who decorated the officers and men on Friday in Akure, said that the promotion was part of dividend of hard work given to them by corps.

According to Adeleye, the command has one of the highest numbers of promoted officers in 2018 promotion in FRSC in the country.

” It is just a grace of God that you are among the promoted officers and men, not that you are better than others who could not meet up.

He urged officers and men who were not promoted to exercise patience, adding that “there are certain rules needed to be taken and your own time will soon come.

” Promotion comes from God and is not the end of life, but be focus and do your job as required by the command,” he said.

The sector commander, therefore, called on the promoted officers and men to be diligent and follow the rules and regulations of the corps.

” You need to work harder to justify your new position.”

Also speaking, two of the promoted officers:Mr Gbenga Okediji and Mrs Oluyemi Ojo, appreciated God for counting them worthy to be among officers and men promoted to next rank.

” We believe that promotion usually comes from God, man can only try his best

“Also,we want to encourage those that did not meet up to believe in God and keep trying, because there is always a room for another time,” they said. (NAN)

OMA/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

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08135601585

 
 
Osinbajo flags off Traders Money Scheme in Warri
Scheme
Edeki Igafe
Warri(Delta), Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday, inauguratd the “Traders’ Money Scheme”, an initiative of the Federal Government in Warri, Delta.
 
Osinbajo, who spoke at the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, before the event, explained that the scheme was targeted at the petty traders who required little, to run their businesses.
 
According to him, the beneficiaries will be given N10,000 each. as loan to be refunded.
 
“We looked at the whole commercial scale of Nigeria and observed that the largest number of people engaged in commerce, are the petty traders that required little start-up capital between N2,000 and N5,000.
 
“We then felt it will be better to give these traders N10,000 each as loans to be paid back.
 
“Once that is done and refunded, we increase the loan to N15,000 each and keep increasing it, so long as they pay back.
 
“The scheme is designed to elevate those people at the lower ladder. I strongly believe that this is the right thing for our people, a way of empowering them.
 
“The enumerators will be here till January 2019 to ensure that the petty traders are captured,” he said.
 
Osinbajo said that the Federal Government also had the “Money Market Scheme” for the senior traders.
 
He said the traders in this category would be given between N100,000 and N350,000, adding that the beneficiaries would be guided to ensure they achieved their objectives.
 
Earlier, the vice president said government had embarked on different developmental projects in Delta, with a view to boosting the economy of the state and Nigeria.
 
“We have been able to fulfill some of those promises we made, particularly the Maritime University, though there are still issues to be resolved, but we have established it.
 
“We have established one modular refinery and other three are on the pipeline.
 
“The dredging of the Escravos bar, which will open up the Warri Port will be a big boost to the state, particularly the young men and women looking for opportunities.
 
“Also, the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), is being executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). All these entire projects, will enhance the economy of the Itsekiri kingdom,” he said.
 
Responding, Mr Dickson Kpori, who spoke on behalf of the monarch urged the Federal Government to ensure that the scheme succeed in Warri.
 
Osinbajo and his entourage, thereafter, moved to the Main market in Warri South, to inaugurate  the scheme. (NAN)
EDI/OOA/DUA (more…)

Reporting
By Akeem Abas
Osogbo, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Some experts have advised Nigerian journalists to adopt conflict sensitive reporting approach to the reportage of electoral process and the attendant of electoral conflicts.

The experts gave the advice at a two-day media workshop on Best Practices and Professional Reporting of the Electoral Process organised by International Press Centre (IPC) in conjunction with EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).

Muyiwa Popoola, a Professor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, said the media was expected to be a socially responsible and development-oriented.

Popoola, in his paper entitled ‘Towards 2019: Avoiding Hate Speech and Being Conflict Sensitive in Election Reporting’, said the Fourth Estate of the Realm should be driven by professionalism and ethical standards.

He said that journalists should endeavour to continually perform their gate keeping and agenda setting roles in elections and political dispensation.

“There are political machinations already in respect of the 2019 general elections. Nigerian journalists should help to foster and stabilize Nigeria’s democracy.

“They should do same in political development so as to continually prevent any unwarranted retrogressive interventions in the nation’s political sphere.

“CSR approach to reporting is rooted in the belief that the news media in many societies can be a powerful force to reduce the causes of hate speech,” he said.

The don said that Nigerian reporters have a responsibility to cover the facts as well as avoid unnecessarily stoking hatred and violence.

He said that journalists should always report issues of conflicts with possible solutions, adding that there are several ways of reporting without slaughtering propriety interest on the altar of partisanship.

Mr David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor, Africa Check, urged journalists to always cross-check information at their disposal and eliminate biases from their reporting so as not to misinform the public.

Ajikobi in his presentation entitled ‘Eliminating biases and Using Fact Checking Tools for Factual and Accurate Reporting of Election’ said journalists must endeavour to use fact checking tools.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, IPC Director, said the workshop was organized to critically examine the interconnections between the public, media and election.

He said that the effort was aimed at developing an agenda that seeks to strengthen the role of the media in facilitating a credible electoral process.

“The aim is also to bring to the front burners the prerequisite to hone the skills of journalists in the professional and ethical reportage of democratic processes and elections.

“It is also to ensure that they commit to professional, conflict sensitive, citizen focused, gender focused and digital reporting of the 2019 elections,” he said.

Mr Kehinde Ayantunji, Osun State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), commended IPC and EU-SDGN for organising the workshop to provide solutions to contemporary challenges hindering better results in reportage.

He urged journalists to learn from the issues raised and solutions proffered in the interest of the profession and the nation at large. (NAN)

TAA/MAM/WOJ
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Wale Ojetimi

Business
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) Wheel barrow pushers in major markets in Enugu metropolis are making brisk business
following an increase in amount paid for services to customers as Christmas approaches.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round the major markets in the metropolis on Friday,
found that many barrow pushers were happy as they were seen carrying goods for customers who paid for their
services.

Some of the barrow pushers told NAN that the price of their services depended on the weight of the goods and
distance where the goods were to be discharged.

Other barrow pushers, however, said that they had to increase charges because the owners of the barrow had
increased the cost of hiring the load carrying tool.

Mr Uchendu Ibe, a barrow pusher at Ogbete main market, said that he increased his charges because of the yuletide.

Ibe added that “the cost of almost everything has increased due to the Christmas season: barrow pushers also
increased cost of services so as to meet up with the economic reality.”

According to him, most of the barrow pushers make enough money to take care of their
daily needs, depending on the weight and number of times they carry and discharge goods to customers.

Another barrow pusher at Garki market, Anayo Ogbodo, said it was necessary to increase the price of
barrow services because owners of the tool had also increased their charges for hiring.

Ogbodo says he charges between N200 and N250 to carry a 50kg bag of rice from the market to the Garki
motor park as against the previous price of N150.

He said other bags bigger than rice such as grains could go for between N300 and N500.

Mr Okwy Arinze, a barrow owner at Ogbete main market said it was necessary to increase the hiring price of
barrows due to increase in their repairs.

However, some shoppers in the market said both the owners of the barrows and the pushers were taking advantage of the
yuletide to exploit them.

Mrs Joy Onu, who was seen shopping in the market, said that the number of barrow pushers was constituting nuisance
in Enugu major markets and urged government to check their activities.

She said “the number of barrow pushers is now in the increase: one hardly enters the market without being hit or
injured with their barrows, in fact, it is very important for government to begin to regulate their activities.”

Mr Chidi Umeh, another shopper in the market, said that the increase in the number of barrow pushers was as a
result of the season. (NAN)
OJI/AO/HA
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Edited by Angela Okisor

Ebonyi IPAC leaders fight over Christmas gift

IPAC
By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Dec. 21, 2018 (NAN) The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ebonyi has been hit by major leadership crisis over the sharing of Christmas gift from the state government.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt the leadership crisis is between Mrs Jenifer Adibe, the  IPAC Chairman and Mr Splendor Eze, the governorship candidate of the Alliiance Congress of Democrats (ACD).

The crisis NAN authoritatively gathered began when Adibe was elected few months ago against the expectation of some members of the group.

A very senior member of the group   told NAN on the condition of anonymity that some members loyal to Eze opposed the emergence of Adibe as Chairman.

“Since the emergence of Adibe, a group of members loyal to Eze has sworn to unseat the chairman and therefore will not see anything good in her leadership of IPAC in Ebonyi.

“The crisis is affecting the progress of IPAC in Ebonyi and has disunited as a group”, the source said.

Matters degenerated on Wednesday when the Eze-led group allegedly attempted to impeach Adibe , an attempt that was resisted by the group loyal to her.

Meanwhile, In an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki on Friday, Eze said that the latest crisis began when the chairman allegedly excluded him and his supporters from the sharing of the five million naira and 500 bags of rice given to the group by the state government.

Eze said former governors of the state had shown similar gestures to IPAC during previous Christmas periods.

“The IPAC was given five million naira and 500 bags of rice as Christmas largess but instead distributing the gifts  equitably, the chairman decided to exclude some of us who are governorship candidates.

“We demanded to know why we should be excluded from benefiting from the Christmas gifts, Adibe told us that it was a directive from the governor.

“She also unilaterally cancelled a meeting of IPAC she called when members had gathered for the meeting without any justifiable reason.

“The meeting slated to hold Wednesday, Dec 19 would have afforded the council opportunity to address some problems affecting the IPAC in the state.

“The leadership under Adibe has failed in moving the IPAC and has caused members to be divided along the lines of the two major political parties in the state”, Eze said.

According to him, the insistence of his group that the meeting would hold as scheduled led to the invitation of persons suspected to be political thugs by the chairman.

He further alleged that these hired people came to the IPAC secretariat, manhandled him before whisking him away.

Eze alleged that the suspected thugs took him to a secluded place behind  Ebonyi Hotel along Sam Egwu road, Abakaliki where they thoroughly beat him before releasing him  and warned him not to step foot into the IPAC secretariat again.

“I am a governorship candidate of my political party and because of this the chairman has connived with some persons and sent political thugs to come and kill me.

“I want the whole world to hear this and know what is happening in Ebonyi IPAC.

“Some persons have come to me and warned me to stay out of the governorship race,  but I told them know that my party gave the ticket to fly its flag in Ebonyi.

“My life is in danger and I want the whole world to know that some persons are after my life because of my ambition”.

In her reaction however, Adibe described the allegations as spurious and lacking merit.

She said that the meeting scheduled for Wednesday could not hold due to an urgent call she received from Government House, Abakaliki,  over the programme that IPAC was scheduled to hold on Thursday.

She said that contrary to the allegation that IPAC received five million naira, it was given three million naira and 500 bags which it shared  equitably among  members.

The IPAC boss added that Eze masterminded his ordeal in order to whip up sentiment and attract public sympathy for his governorship ambition.

“The whole allegations levelled against me by Eze are all lies and blackmail; perhaps that is his own campaign strategy but he has failed, ” Adibe said. (NAN)
DO/AO/JCE
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Chukwudi Ekezie

L-R Musicians, AY Dot Com and MC Galaxy

Music
By Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2018 (NAN) Nigerian musicians, AY Dot Com and MC Galaxy have called out a popular music television station (name withheld), for seeking financial gratification from artists.

AY Dot Com, on Thursday posted a viral video, condemning the said station for refusing to give fair broadcast to all artists.

He also alleged that a staff of the said station demanded 500, 000 Naira before his song could be played, adding that these inducements have frustrated a lot of his erstwhile colleagues.

“No unity in our industry that is why we can’t fight together. TV stations are supposed to be paying all Nigerian musicians royalty for playing our music video.

“But it is the other way round making us feel like they are doing us favours. Meanwhile, without our videos on their stations, their stations will be dead,” he said.

AY Dot Com however, expressed happiness that with the advent of technology, social media has provided the needed platform for upcoming artists to showcase their works globally.

The ‘Pass me your love’ crooner particularly praised blogger Tunde Ednut, who is known for promoting and supporting upcoming artists, on his Instagram platform.

MC Galaxy while corroborating, also accused the said station of refusing to play songs and videos until money was paid.

He said, “I was happy when I saw that AYdotcom video. If you are not strong in this industry, you will be frustrated. I released ‘Fine Girl’s video, it wasn’t played.

“I released ‘Oha’ and it still wasn’t played. Let me advise upcoming artists, you don’t need this station to ‘blow’.

“Thank God we have other stations that play good music,” MC Galaxy said.(NAN)

AEE/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi