Blog

Silos
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Dec 20, 2018 (NAN) The All Farmers Association (AFAN), has cautioned the Federal Government against the plan to privatise or the concession of Bank of Agriculture and silos to ensure food sufficiency.

Dr Tunde Arosanyin, the National Technical Adviser AFAN made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin.

Arosanyin said that the expectation of farmers was that government would create more storage centres across the 774 local government councils in the country, rather than sell the silos.

“Recently, we heard that the silos built by the previous administration were going into concession, sale or leasing by this government.

“We have thought otherwise that this government will spur food production and then mop the excess at the point of harvest at the minimum guarantee price to ensure that the farmers make profit and their investments in various farms.

“We expected government to even create additional storage centres in all the local governments as being advocated by the last administration and even incorporate the cold room system for the Fulanis herdsmen to store milk.

“This milk can be bought and stored there and the dairy people and companies can come and buy directly from these silos,” he said.

Arosanyin, who is a former chairman of AFAN in Kogi said such plan would amount to conflict of opinion within the robust policy aimed at addressing hunger.

“We felt that government should have been able to reactivate these silos and use it judiciously to ensure that farmers get more money.

“And during the increase in price of grains and commodities, government can release from these strategic silos to cushion the effect and reduce the burden to increase in food crisis for the average Nigerian to buy at affordable prices.’’

On the purported plan to sell Bank of Agriculture, the AFAN chief explained that the advocacy at the last National Council on Agriculture was that the bank should be recapitalised.

“It was advocated that Bank of Agriculture needs to be recapitalised; ditto the Bank of Industry because these two banks have critical roles to play if this country must move forward.

“The Bank of Agriculture is to interface in primary production to be able to give loans to rural farmers at a single digit interest rate. The bank presently is undercapitalised,” he said.

He, however, commended the Federal Government for cushioning the effect of the bird flu disaster that led to the destruction of millions of birds during the last administration.

“This government has been able to pay the remaining outstanding compensation to those who lost their birds that Federal Government destroyed,” said Arosanyin, who also is the national coordinator of Zero Hunger Commodity Farmers Association. (NAN)
AUO/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Ahead 2019:Igbo youth groups vow to resist vote buying in Southeast

Votes

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide and a coalition of other Igbo groups have vowed to resist any attempt at vote buying  in the 2019 general elections in the zone.

Other members of the coalition include Southeast Women Professionals, World Igbo Youth Congress and Igbo Students Movement.

The President and Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council, Messrs Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Obinna Achionye, respectively, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abakaliki, indicated the plan of the coalition.

It said the coalition members had vowed to mobilise the entire Southeast zone and Igbos in other regions to resist attempts by political elite to sell Igbo votes.

They warned the electorate in the Southeast against falling prey to desperate politicians that would come to deceive them with frivolous promises, cash and other material gifts with intent to get them to sell their votes.

“We call on Igbo youths, progressives, leaders and agitators to rise up and defend the traditions, values and culture of our people, as we will fight against those whose interests are to sell Igbo votes to the highest bidder, especially in the presidential election,” the statement read in part.

The members of the coalition also frowned at the recently concluded Igbo Day celebration held in Owerri, pointing out that holding Igbo Day on a day apart from Sept. 29 was  “uncultural” to Ndigbo.

They distanced themselves from the celebration, saying the anniversary could best be described as Imo Day and not Igbo Day.

“Based on Ohaneeze constitution, Igbo Day celebration holds Sept. 29 every year,” the statement said.

It said that the apex decision-making organ in Ohaneze, known as Imeobi, never approved the congregation of people that met in Owerri.

“On this note, Ohanaeze youths and the affiliate coalition have distanced themselves from the Owerri event and we warn against setting a bad precedent by holding Igbo Day on a day other than Sept. 29,” the group said.

They appealed to the APC-led Federal government to address infrastructure deficit in the zone as well as create viable investment climate for businesses to thrive. (NAN)

ODO/KTO/SOA

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Oluwole Sogunle

Settlement

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Dec.20, 2018 (NAN) The Tax Appeal Tribunal on Thursday in  Abuja ordered 44 Insurance Companies and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to file amended settlement for judgment variation of  N1.7 billion overpaid stamp duties.

The insurance companies had approached the court with a motion for the variation of the judgment where the court had erroneously entered N1.5 billion as the amount in dispute.

Delivering ruling, Mrs Alice Iriogbe held that the difference in the two figures might have been a clerical error in computation, adding that the record of the court was clear.

She said the court would only affirm the agreement reached by both parties and entered same as judgment.

The judge therefore, ordered parties to file amended terms of settlement which would reflect the actual amount agreeable to them.

Oriogbe went ahead to adjourn the matter until Jan. 23 for further hearing.

NAN recalls that Continental Reinsurance PLC and 43 others on Nov.19 filed the motion for an order for variation of the consent judgment delivered by the court on May 10, 2016 having notice the shortfall in the amount.

The appellants had sought for an order for the payment of a sum of N1, 730, 472, 420 by FIRS as refund of excess stamp duties paid in their respective share capital.

They averred that the overpaid stamp duties to FIRS occurred during the re-capitalisation of insurance companies between 2002 and 2006.

The appellants’ action was aimed at compelling FIRS to refund the money without further delay.

Consequently, the parties agreed to an out-of-court-settlement leading to a consent judgment delivered by the court.(NAN)

NEO/OMO/SH

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edited by Martins Odeh/Sadiya Hamza

Fund
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) A Town Planner, Mr Ayo Adejumo, on Thursday identified poor funding as an obstacle to effective operation of the property industry and its regulatory offices.

Adejumo, also a former Vice-President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Lagos Chapter, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that lack of fund had made the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority and other appropriate bodies responsible for processing building plan approvals to sometimes fail in discharging their duties effectively.

Adejumo called on state government to boost financial capacity of housing developments and the regulatory offices to enable them to execute their statutory functions better.

He said that some inspections and documentations that were supposed to be carried out before and after a building plan approval was granted were not always performed.

Adejumo said that the contents of a building plan documents were not always obeyed by developers due to lack of proper supervision by the responsible authorities.

According to him, the building laws and codes state that a building boundary must not be less than six metres away from the road and three metres away from the surrounding fence.

“The developer will observe the laws in the building architectural designs, applications and other documents he submits and the approval will be granted to him/her.

“But on getting to the site, developers will deviate from what he put down on paper to build below the metres and rules which the law stipulates.

“This is why there is little or no parking space in almost all the compounds in the city of Lagos.

“Cars are parked on both sides of the roads and in the streets, contributing to traffic jams in Lagos city,” he said.

Adejumo said that town planners were supposed to inspect the site before and after the building plan was approved to ensure that the designs were in conformity with the proposal and approved plan.

“But, the appropriate authorities most times failed to visit the site before approving the building plan or even follow up with the projects after granting its approval.

“Most times, this is due to non-availability of official cars to convey them to the site and lack of other working facilities that can make the work easier,” Adejumo added.

He suggested that appropriate authorities and the town planners should be present at the site of any approved building project right from the commencement day of its foundation to the completion.

The town planner said the idea was to ensure that the designs conform with the approval standards and order of the area where the land was located.

He urged the state government to continually empower the authorities that handles building plan approval processes to enable them to discharge their duties efficiently. (NAN)
LUC/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Technology
By Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Federal Government intends to build a digital economy around the technology and creative sectors to create jobs for young people, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja.

The President said this while presenting the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget at a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja.

He said the digital economy would be in partnership with states and the private sector, stressing that “Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the digital age.

“Modern up-to-date infrastructure is particularly important to boost economic activities.

“We are working on a project to increase broadband penetration across all geographical zones of the country.

“We are hoping that over the next four years, the 774 local government areas in the country will be provided with fibre connectivity, “he said.

Buhari said that government also planned to exploit comparative advantages of the six geo-political zones and the 36 states of the federation by establishing six industrial parks.

The president said government would establish 109 special production and processing centres across senatorial zones, including shared facilities.

He explained that “Every Child Counts’’, adding that the government guiding principle in national educational system entailed far reaching actions to boost digital literacy.

Buhari said such move would impart functional skills on children and retrain thousands of teachers,  stressing that the was need for government to equip children with modern era skills.

“Indeed, we must equip our children from young age with skills for modern era by emphasising education in science, technology,engineering, arts and mathematics.’’

The President said the 2019 budget had benefitted from extensive consultations and stakeholder engagements “to reflect our belief that all sectors have critical role to play in our journey toward sustainable and inclusive development.

“It demonstrates our commitment to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, in a more inclusive manner. It also represents another important step in building
the Nigeria of our dreams.’’

He, therefore, called for the support of Nigerians to achieve the desired goals’

According to Buhari, it is evident over the past years that more can be achieved in the overall interest of the Nigerian people if all work together.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2019 Appropriation Bill is now before NASS for consideration and passage. (NAN)
HA/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Passengers

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, says the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, now has the capacity to process over 20 million passengers with the inauguration of the new international terminal.

Sirika stated this during the inauguration of the new terminal by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the new terminal would process a minimum of 15 million passengers annually, adding that the existing terminal processed 5.8 million in 2017.

According to him, the new terminal has 72 check-in counters, five baggage collection carousels, 28 immigration desks at arrival and 16 at departure, eight security screening points and eight passenger boarding bridges.

“It also has walkway to link the FCT metro rail with additional apron for remote parking of aircraft linkway to domestic wing and many other facilities,” Sirika said.

The minister said that the facilities were properly designed and laid out in accordance with modern requirements for airport operations.

Sirika said that the new terminal was the second in the series of airport terminals to be inaugurated from the projects funded by the China-Exim bank loan of 500 million dollars.

He said Nigeria contributed a counterpart funding of 100 million dollars from the Debt Management Office.

The minister said the airport was strategic to Nigeria as the gateway to the nation’s capital and being the second busiest airport in the country.

He further said that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was the fastest growing in passenger traffic in West and Central Africa with an average growth rate of eight per cent.

According to him, the airport processed 5.8 million passengers in 2017 and this volume equals about 13 times the total number of passengers recorded by Ghana as a country.

He said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved the second tranche of 461.7 million dollars for the funding of the phase two of the project.

The minister explained that the phase took into cognisance, additional facilities that would enhance airport’s efficiency.

These facilities, according to him, include the construction of an additional apron, a multi-level car park, a fire station, additional boarding bridges and connection between the old and the new terminals.

“It also include facilities and a boarding bridge to accommodate Airbus A380 and the completion of Kano and Lagos terminals.

“We are committed to rounding up the project soon.

“The contractor has gone ahead to implement it as approved, but recently slowed down the pace of work due to non-payment of 69.3 million dollars counterpart funding by government.’’

On his part, the Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Malam Mohammed Bello, said the inauguration of the new terminal was a reflection of the Federal Government’s to completing all important infrastructure projects in the country.

Bello said the new terminal would complement the Abuja light rail and also link IP with Abuja Transportation Master Plan aimed at ensuring seamless connectivity in the city through air, rail and land.

He said the ongoing rehabilitation of the airport road by the FCT was also to complement the benefit of the airport to the travelling public and to boost tourism.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian, said the most effective way to develop an economy was to provide transportation infrastructure, adding that Nigeria must continue to improve the sector.

Pinhjian said the completion of the project had added impetus to China and Nigeria cooperation, saying the Chinese Government was committed to partnering with Nigeria to build infrastructure in the country.

“Please allow me, on the commissioning of the biggest terminal building in West Africa today, to warmly congratulate President Buhari’s government and the good people of Nigeria for making steady progress, peace and prosperity of this great nation.

“My congratulations also go to CCECC and the Chinese Exim Bank for proving that China is a reliable partner of Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

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

Women

By Ibukun Emiola

Ibadan, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Dr Adefemi Afolabi, an Endocrinologist Surgeon at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has stressed the important role of women in reducing congenital anomalies.

Afolabi made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday while speaking on the level of ignorance on congenital anomalies in the country.

According to him, some congenital anomalies or defects are redeemable, especially if intervention comes up at the appropriate time.

“However, ignorance of the congenital anomalies is a major setback in the country,” he said.

According to him, a child is affected if the mother does not have enough thyroxin due to environmental factor.

“The interplay of environment, nature and nurture comes to play. The top surface of the soil is where iodine happens to be and with frequent erosion, this top surface is washed off.

“The plant and even the fish, which is food in that area will be low in iodine, then you have goitre and that is why it is more common in such areas as Ibadan.

“Ibadan has a lot of this, as the town passes through what is called the goitre belt. It is common in Ekiti and Oke Ogun area as well.

“So if that kind of mother is not aware that her hormone level is not adequate, the baby will not be able to develop very well, especially within the first three months.

“It will even affect the brain such that the baby will be short.

“I had a patient before, who was 30 years old, but looking like six years old, with a swelling in the neck,” he said.

Afolabi, therefore, urged women to take adequate diet with iodine to prevent congenital anomalies that are not genetic in nature.

“The mother’s diet is very crucial to the level of hormones in her body.

“Although, some other congenital defects may be genetic; that is, the baby acquires a gene from the father or the mother that makes the child’s thyroid glands not to develop well,” he said. (NAN)

IBK/MAS/YEMI

Edited by Moses Solanke/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Accountant
By Nana Musa
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) A 36-year-old accountant, Gbenga Oladayo, who the police accused of using none existing names on the payroll of  Total Facilities Management Limited, to defraud the company of N1. 2 million, on Thursday appeared in a Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja.

Oladayo, is charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha told the court that the facility manager at Total Facilities Management Limited, Jabi Abuja Etim Joseph reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on Dec. 12.

He alleged that the defendant included names of unknown staff when he was ashed  to prepare staff payroll.

Ukagha said during police investigation, the defendant  confessed to the crime,saying that he did it out of annoyance due to a cut in his monthly salar.

The prosecutor said that the offence, contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Oladayo, who resides at Mpape, Abuja, pleaded not guilty.

The Area Court judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1.2 million with one surety in like sum.

Maiwada ordered that the surety must produce a copy of a valid means of identification, utility bill and adjourned the case until Jan. 29 for hearing. (NAN)
NHM/BOLA/SH
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edited by Bola Akingbehin/Sadiya Hamza

Kidnapping

By Ummul Idris

Abuja, Dec 20, 2018(NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over kidnapping of medical doctors in Ondo and other states and non payment of  its members` salaries in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Dr Francis Faduyile, the President of NMA expressed the feeling in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the spate of kidnapping was now very alarming, adding that the NMA frowned at kidnapping of some doctors in Ondo and others sates.

According to him, the rate of kidnapping has heightened tension in Ondo state and other states in Nigeria.

Faduyile called on the Federal and State governments to effectively check security lapses, especially the ravaging incident of kidnappings in the country.

“The health workers have been targeted in many of these security issues with many of them kidnapped in the course of discharging their duties, some of them got killed in the process.

“We call on government at all levels and the security agencies to urgently do the needful in addressing the menace,” he said.

The NMA President expressed displeasure at the failure of the management of LUTH to pay the salaries of doctors for four months.

On the non payment of accrued salaries of medical doctors in the state mentioned, the NMA boss described the development as unfair, irritable and a contravention of the tenets of civil service rule and natural justice.

`We call on the management of LUTH to pay the accrued salaries to doctors without further delay.

Faduyile, who also called on the Abia government to pay the salaries of doctors it owed for eight months,frowned at the casualisation of doctors at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia.

He also called on the Medical Director of FMC, Umuahia to immediately stop casualisation of doctors among other demands.(NAN)

UMD/HS/DUA

Edited by Halima Sheji/Dada Ahmed

Election

By Taiye Baiyerohi

Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka of Isolo in  Lagos State on Thursday advised politicians  to obey all the electoral laws  and  the nation’s constitution to ensure peaceful elections in  2019.

Agbabiaka gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said politicians should take into cognisance the electoral laws which negate rigging and all manner of electoral malpractices.

The monarch urged candidates that would be contesting for any political posts to display  the spirit of patriotism, honesty, unity and selflessness.

He said they should also lay good examples for the up- and-coming ones.

” I want all party  candidates to remain patriotic, truthful, fair and honest during the elections so that we can have peaceful, fair and credible elections.

” The forthcoming elections should be as peaceful as possible; I imploy politicians vying for different electoral positions not to foment troubles.

” Their actions  will determine the success or otherwise of the elections, so I call on them not to instigate the youth to rig the elections or cause confusion.

” The peace of the society should be greatly considered  by them.

” I also  want them to know that vote-buying will only truncate the destiny of our great nation, they must desist from that act, I beg them all,” he said.

The monarch also urged the youth not to allow any politicians to  use them  as political thugs in the forthcoming elections.

” The youth should cooperate with and complement the efforts of the government aimed at  ensuring  peaceful  elections.

” They should listen to elderly advice because no one is an encyclopedia of knowledge,” he said.

NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Feb.16, 2019.

It had fixed  the Governorship and State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council elections  for March 2, 2019.(NAN)

PTB/ PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada