Blog

Actor Will Smith (R), arrived outside Grand Canyon National Park in Little Colorado River Gorge, Arizona with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and kids Willow, Trey and Jaden.
Jump
Los Angeles, Sept. 26, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Actor Will Smith took a bungee jump into the Grand Canyon on Tuesday to mark his 50th birthday and raise money for a global education campaign.
The “Men in Black” star leapt from a helicopter and bounced head first between the steep sides of a gorge at the Grand Canyon in Arizona in a jump streamed live on YouTube.
“This is gorgeous, beautiful,” Smith said as he swung upside down on the end of the bungee cord.
After landing back on solid ground the actor called the experience exhilarating.
“Nothing will ever be scarier than that. It goes from complete absolute terror to the most magnificent bliss you’ve ever felt,” he added.
Smith was raising funds for the charity Education Cannot Wait, which provides education to children around the world during conflicts, crises and natural disasters. (NAN)
EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Verification
By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Ex-workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) are getting set for a fresh verification following the Federal Government’s approval of N22.6 billion for the payment of their entitlements.

Mr Godwin Jibodu, the Chairman, Nigeria Airways Elders Forum, confirmed the development on Wednesday at a meeting of the pensioners of the former national carrier at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline, which started flight operations in August 1958, was liquidated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government in May 2003 with the workers yet to be fully paid their entitlements.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had on Sept. 24 announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of the funds for the part-payment of the ex-workers being owed N45 billion.

Jibodu said that the approval of the payment was greeted with joy by the ex-workers who expressed their gratitude to the president and the minister at the meeting.

“The purpose of the meeting is to brief the workers about what the minister said and that the verification will begin very soon.

“Everybody should prepare his or her documents for the verification,” he said.

According to him, no date has been given for the commencement of the verification, but the committee, which will arrange the exercise, will start work on Sept. 27.

“The committee is made up of people from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transportation, Office of the Accountant-General and ex-workers of Nigeria Airways.

“So, we have told our members to prepare all their documents. Letter of appointment, letter of retirement and their identity card,” Jibodu said.

He expressed optimism that the verification would be hitch-free and concluded within the shortest possible time so that the pensioners could receive their entitlements after waiting for over 14 years.

NAN reports that the pensioners were jubilating, singing and praising Buhari and Ahmed for finally bringing succour to them following the approval of the payment. (NAN)

WAC/ASO/GOK
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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Teachers

By Mercy Osajiugo

Minna, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Abdullahi Babayo, Director-General, Nomadic Affairs in Niger, has accused teachers in the state’s nomadic schools of “totally abandoning their responsibility”.

“Teachers in the nomadic schools are just irresponsible; they are truants undeserving of the jobs they have been given,” Babayo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Minna.

He said that the situation was the same across the 25 Local Government Areas, and accused the teachers of not taking their jobs seriously.

“Most of the teachers in our nomadic schools are lazy; when we pay impromptu visits to the schools in the morning, we usually find no one in the schools, including those they are supposed to teach.

“If the teachers are lazy and always absent, the learners will equally not be at the schools. The teachers ought to be role models to the learners, but some hardly visit the schools. Some go to the schools twice a week and close before noon.

“Many teachers always beg to be posted to nomadic schools. The reason is  very clear – they want to play truancy and devote the time to their businesses. The Niger government will not tolerate this any longer.

“We have warned, written and sanctioned them, but they still have not changed.

“The state government cannot afford to waste its resources on teachers who play pranks with nomads’ education.”

Babayo said that the state had set up a task force to monitor the teachers so as to check their excesses.

“We have resolved to sack teachers not ready to work. They must brace up to deliver quality education to the nomads or be shown the way out,” he said.

Babayo said that educating the nomads was crucial to curtailing the clashes between farmers and herdsmen, adding that the nomads’ view of society would change if they got more exposed to the outside world. (NAN)
MNO/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

EKEDC targets 100 per cent complaints resolution before December – Official

Resolution

By Yusuf Yunus
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) says it will attain a 100 percent complaints resolution before the end of the year.

The company’s Chief Legal Officer, Mrs Wola Joseph-Ojoye, said this while briefing newsmen on its forthcoming Customer Service Week commencing nationwide on Oct 1.

According to her, Eko Electricity currently stands at 82.3 per cent in customers’ complaints resolution.

She said that the company was rated high in metering and billing efficiency in the 2018 first quarter report of the National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC).

Joseph-Ojoye said that the company was currently the lowest in terms of Aggregate Technical and Consumer loss, adding that newly acquired smart meters would be rolled out soon.

She said that EKEDC was constantly doing its best to ensure effective delivery in spite of constant pipeline vandalism which had affected power generation and resulted in transmission constraints.

Joseph-Ojoye said other challenges included by-passing of electricity, energy theft as well as stealing of cables and tariff.

She said that the forthcoming Customer Service Week , with the theme – ”Experience Happens Here’’ – would afford customers the
opportunity to have all their complaints addressed.

The six-day programme would include feeding of 500 people in poor communities within its license area and creating awareness on the
importance of the customer service week.

Others include random phone calls to customers, thanking them for their patronage as well as celebrating some officials that met or exceeded targets.

Ms Iyiola Ezichi, Head, Customer Service Department, urged customers to always use the various medium of communications on the social media to get their complaints addressed. (NAN)
YO/KOLE/WOJ

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Wale Ojetimi

Ebola
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern over possible regression in progress made so far in the fight against Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The organisation in a statement released on its website on Wednesday, said that response to the outbreak had reached critical state as it was being threatened by worsening insecurity and mistrust from affected communities in DRC.

WHO said that the organisation, UN partners, NGO’s and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) supporting the response were also facing an extension of the virus into previously unaffected areas.

It stated that although strong government-led response with the support of these organisations in the past weeks led to reduction in number of cases, there was risk that hard-worn gains may be lost.

The world body noted that as at Sept. 25, 2018, the disease had affected 151 people and killed about 101 persons.

It, therefore, called on relevant parties, government and groups that had influence over the situation and parties involved, to help in protecting responders and civilians.

The health organisation stated that “the response to the outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at critical juncture, threatened by worsening insecurity, mistrust from affected communities and extension into previously unaffected areas.

“In recent weeks, a strong government-led response, supported by WHO, other UN partners, NGOs and CSOs resulted in steady week-by-week reduction in cases but there is a risk now that hard-won gains may be lost.

“There has been an increase in frequency and severity of attacks by armed opposition groups.
Attacks by armed opposition groups on Beni town in North Kivu, where the Ministry of Health and partners based their response occurred with alarming frequency.

“Most recently, a deadly attack on Sept. 22 left 21 people dead, including 17 civilians as a result, WHO and its UN partners were asked to halt operations in Beni, while the city mourns its dead.

“Presently, some operations have begun to resume, but a two-day gap has resulted in health workers not being able to reach contacts of Ebola patients to monitor their health or investigate alerts of potential cases.

“Meanwhile, some families have chosen to care for sick relatives at home often because they have been misinformed and because a natural fear of the disease is now being exploited by local politicians.”

WHO said other individuals who were sick from the virus have had to travel widely to seek alternative care, putting themselves, their families and health workers at risk.

It added that the trend had caused the virus to spread to new locations where medical teams could not provide the needed access to treatment or provide protective vaccines to those affected.

The organisation noted that the new locations included the security red zones and areas bordering Uganda.

It called on governments in countries surrounding DRC to accelerate preparedness activities to face the challenge. (NAN)
KRY/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NSE: Investors move 172.19m shares worth N2.05bn

Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) A total of 172.196 million shares valued at N2.05 biillion were traded in 2,866 deals on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday.

These were against the 222.956 million shares worth N3.28 billion traded in 3,327 deals on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation depreciated by N55 billion or 0.45 per cent to close at N12.034 trillion from N12.089 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index, which opened at 33,114.44, lost 151.17 basis points to close at 32,963.27.

Dangote Cement led the price losers’ chart with a loss of N5 to close at N205, while Berger and Stanbic IBTC followed, depreciating by 70k each to close at N6.30 and N43.30 per share, respectively.

Nascon dropped 60k to close at N19, while Custodian declined by 40k to close at N5.04 per share.

Conversely, Total Oil topped the price gainers’ table with N1.10 to close at N181.10 per share.

Zenith Bank gained 95K to close at N21.40, while GTBank followed with a gain of 50k to close at N37.50 per share.

UBN lost 20K to close at N5.30, while UAC-PROP dipped by 17K to close at N1.87 per share.

Fidelity Bank was the toast of investors, trading 33.81 million shares worth N57.28 million in 277 deals.

GTBank sold 27.29 million shares valued at N1.02 billion in 189 deals, while UBA traded 1977 million shares valued at N165.83 million in 159 deals.

Transcorp traded 12.87 million shares worth N16.34 million in 75 deals, while Zenith Bank traded 12.34 million shares worth N263.57 million in 272 deals.(NAN)

LUC/TÁ
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Arraignment
By Nana Musa
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Police on Wednesday arraigned Iliyasu Lawal, 28, Nura Iliyasu, 29, and Idris Suleiman 28, in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court FCT for allegedly trespassing the premises of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trio, who are residents of Kaduna State, were accused of attempts to commit suicide inside the presidential villa.

Mr Augustine Urom, the Prosecuting Counsel, had averred that Lawal, on September 12 allegedly climbed an MTN telecommunication mast within the presidential villa to commit suicide while the others watched.

Urom further told the court that the Department of State Service (DSS) had transferred the defendants to the FCT Police Command on Sept.18.

He further averred that the defendants allegedly invaded the Aso Rock Villa with various protestation placards capable of making the public to revolt against the Federal Government.

Urom said the First Information Report (FIR) had alleged that the display of the defendants was capable of igniting uprising against a Constituted authority.

The prosecutor claimed the offences contravened Sections 79, 348, 114, 113 and 231 of the Penal Code.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the five-count charges of joint act, criminal trespass, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and attempt to commit suicide levelled against them.

Mr Uche Uwazuruonye, Counsel to Lawal and Suleiman thereafter filed an oral application seeking the court to admit his clients to bail.

Uwazuruonye, said the alleged offences were bailable, adding that his clients would always be available to stand justice.

“I assure the court that the defendants would not jump bail if admitted,’’  he said.

Similarly, Mr Dim Udebuani, Counsel to the second defendant, Iliyasu prayed the court to also grant his client bail, saying this will provide for him required right atmosphere to prepare his defence.

The Magistrate, Mr Muhammad Abdulmumini went ahead to admit the three defendants to bail in the sum of N250, 000 and a surety respectively.

Abdulmumini said the sureties must be from a Grade Level Seven Officer and above in the Federal Civil Service within the jurisdiction of the court.

The Magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 16 for hearing. (NAN)
NHM/OMO/AFA
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Edited by Martins Odeh/Felix Ajide

FEC approves $64.2m for Escravos power project

Escravos
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved 64.2 million dollars for power supply project to communities within Escravos area of Delta State.

Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after FEC meeting presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in the Presidential Villa.

Escravos, which hosts two major transnational oil companies — Shell and Chevron — is located in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State; communities therein include Ugborodu, Ogidigben, Jala, Madagho and Ajidubu.

Kachikwu said that previously, the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) was stopped because communities raised concerns over moving 50 per cent of gas required when the immediate community did not have power supply.

The minister said that the project was consequently, stalled for a very long time.

“Today, we approached the council to approve 64,235,644 million dollars to fund two lots.

“One is for the supply of power itself which is building the plant; all the engineering services required to do that and also distributing the power within the series of communities affected.

“The council was gracious enough to approve that to two specific companies; FEC approved it in two different lots; one for 51 million dollars and the other one for 13 million dollars.

“We believe that with this power will be provided to the immediate communities for a period of four-five years and it will become a permanent structure.

“Because in the absence of that, we are going to use generators which will cost over N18 million every month to manage just to provide light in those areas, so as to enable the more important contract of the ELPS to take place,’’ he said.

Earlier, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, said that FEC had given three approvals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to him, the first is a N500 million contract awarded to Julius Berger for the provision of facilities and maintenance services for the new 10-storey building.

“They also got approval for the procurement of 700 computers; 100 laptops and 25 laser printers at about N449 million.

“The third one to EFCC is the purchase of 15 utility vehicles; they are expanding and they need a lot more vehicular support for their operations.

“The vehicles are being bought from local assemblies in line with the policy of the administration,’’ he said.

Shehu said that the council also approved the construction of five security water front patrol boats for the Nigerian Ports Authority in Marina, Lagos, for coastline security. (NAN)
CJ/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Delegates
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Sept. 26, 2018(NAN) No fewer than 119 delegates from Katsina State will participate in the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention for presidential primary election in preparation for the 2019 general elections.

The convention is scheduled to hold between Oct. 5 and 6, 2018 in Abuja.

The PDP Chairman in Katsina State, Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, disclosed this when the Senate President, Dr
Bukola Saraki, who is also one of the PDP presidential aspirants, recently visited the state.

He said that the delegates included party chairmen for the 34 local government councils, members of the party’s state working committee, among others, as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

The chairman also said that the party had Sen. Yakubu Lado as its consensus candidate for gubernatorial election.

He, therefore, urged party members to work toward ensuring victory of the party in the 2019 elections.

He also urged the supporters to ensure unity and support the party candidates for the victory of the party during the elections.

Saraki, who was in Katsina to woo delegates, said “Katsina is my home, the former governor, Ibrahim Shema and the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua were my good friends: I need your support during the convention.” (NAN)
ZI/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Visas
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2018 The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it has issued 38,000 visas on arrival to foreigners arriving Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, within the last 12 months.

A top official of the NIS told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos on the condition of anonymity that most of the foreigners coming into the country were investors.

The source said the investors were being attracted to Nigeria because of the Ease of Doing Business Policy put in place by the Federal Government.

NAN reports that the visa on arrival policy by Nigeria began in 2012 with Kenya and a few African countries.

The policy came into full stream with the introduction of the Ease of Doing Business policy by the Federal Government in May 2017.

“The Lagos Airport alone has issued no fewer than 38,000 visas to foreigners entering into the country between August 2017 and August 2018.

“The foreigners are predominantly from the United States, United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Kenya, India, Canada, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“We also have people from other countries, but the fact is that more people are coming to Nigeria, especially for business purposes due to the ease of doing business policy.

“So, the visa on arrival is booming investments in the country.

“Most foreigners don’t even bother to go to Nigerian Embassies abroad anymore, but will rather opt to obtain their visas upon landing at the airport,” the official said.

The source added that the foreigners were issued visas valid for one month which could be extended for another month if the need arises.

According to the source, due to the influx of the foreign visitors, the NIS will soon begin the expansion of its visa on arrival counters at the Lagos airport to accommodate their demands.

“Mr Mohammed Babandede, the Comptroller-General of NIS, has given approval for the expansion and we are waiting to receive funds to begin its implementation.

“The purpose of the expansion is to reduce delays because we sometimes have two international flights arriving simultaneously and the existing counters cannot accommodate foreigners requesting to get visas,” the official said. (NAN)
ASO/GOK
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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye