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Coal City International Half Marathon: AFN officials inspect routes

Marathon

Enugu, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) led by the Technical Director, Sunday Adeleye on Monday inspected routes for the first Coal City International Half Marathon in Enugu State.

Briefing newsmen after the inspection, Adeleye said that they were impressed with the level of readiness as well as the form of the routes mapped out for the race.

He said that the overall management of the event was encouraging, adding that what was left was for the AFN to give its nod for the hosting of the event.

“The routes are one of the craftiest I have seen in this clime and we are pleased with it. We are equally impressed with the overall management of the event and we shall report back to the federation for the necessary approval,” he said.

Adeleye said that though the event would feature athletes from other African countries “but we have to put into consideration our indigenous athletes.

“Let there be concessions for our local athletes that are participating in the event,” Adeleye said.

Also, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Joseph Udedi said that no fewer than 1,500 athletes had so far registered for the race which would cover a distance of 21kms.

Udedi said that the half marathon slated for Nov. 24 would feature athletes from Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya.

He said that participation was free “but participants must be healthy. We have engaged a hospital that will check participants to ensure they are in good health condition.

“We have so far registered about 1,500 athletes including those from Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya,” he said.

The commissioner said that the organisers had made adequate arrangement for the control of traffic in liaison with the State Ministry of Transport.

“We believe that the AFN will approve the routes after the inspection,” he said.

Udedi said that a total of 20 male and female prizes respectively would be up for grabs including 3,500 US dollars prize for the first position and lots of consolation prizes. (NAN)

EOA/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

License

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Abuja, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, says the Federal Government will from 2019 commence the revocation of the licences of oil companies that fail to stop gas flaring in their operations in the country.

Kachikwu made this known while speaking at the 2018 Buyers’ Forum/Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) in Abuja, on Monday

He said that the Federal Government had been locked in a battle with upstream oil companies over the issue of gas flaring.

He noted that the Federal Government was keen on ending gas flaring, but oil companies still give lot of reasons why gas flaring cannot be ended.

“Government wants to end flare, oil companies still give lot of reasons why flare cannot be ended.

“ Bottom line is cash call and money. But the reality is that whether or not we deal with cash call issues, it is not an optional agenda, it is a compulsive immediate agenda.

“ It is destructive to the populace; it is intolerable in developed country and it should not be tolerated here either,’’ he said

He added that any oil company that could not find a way to ending its flare ought not to be producing.

“And I have said to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), beginning from next year, we are going to get quite frantic about this and companies that cannot meet with extended periods — the issue is not how much you pay in terms of fines for gas flaring, the issue is that you would not produce.

“ We need to begin to look at foreclosing of licences. This is very urgent.” he added

The Minister stressed that the quest to discourage gas flaring led the Federal Government to initiate the gas flare commercialisation programme.

He said that future renewals of oil and gas licences would involve the assessments of the gas components and gas flare rate of each company seeking renewals.

“Some of the ones that have come recently for renewals have insisted that they are building massive gas processing plants  and we are going to follow this right through so that the supply obligation, the processing facility, the treatment of gas; their submissions  are very accurate and very aggressive,” he noted.

On domestic supply obligation, he said that there was the need  for a critical implementation, adding that it would be extended  for both gas and crude oil.

Kachikwu said that the country needed to move away from the point of just producing these commodities, throwing it into the vessel and shipping it out, to the point of processing as much of it locally as much as possible.

According to him, it is only through this that the country will we be able to create more jobs, create better profit and returns on investments.

“It will also help to achieve better pricing and address the challenges of local industries and industrialisation,’’ he said.

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government would launch the infrastructure revamp programme in November.

This, he said, has the potential of attracting between 20 billion and 30 billion dollars of investments into the petroleum industry and also help address the infrastructural deficiencies in the industry.

Also speaking, Managing Director of GACN, Mr. Morgan Okwoche, highlighted the need for optimum collaboration among industry players in the development of the gas sector.

He called on the DPR to expedite action on the issuance/renewal of the five-year rolling Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO), volumes which will help in effective project planning. (NAN)

ENO/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

NAF inaugurates Forensic Laboratory, partners UK to trains personnel

NAF

By Mateen Badru

Lagos, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Lagos on Monday inaugurated a forensic laboratory as it partnered with the United kingdom to train 16  personnel on core crime investigative skills.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made the disclosure at the inauguration of the remodelled Forensic Crime Laboratory and the new 057 Provost Investigation Group Headquarters in Lagos.

Abubakar said that the NAF had embarked on the conduct of various specialist training for the personnel that would be required to effectively operation the laboratory.

Abubakar, who said  having conducted a gap analysis of the structure of the NAF, that it was obvious the new expanded NAF Force Structure required a law enforcement arm with the capacity to effectively employ scientific approaches in all facets of its critical competencies.

He said it was in the fulfilment of this requirement that the inauguration of the new Provost Investigation Group Headquarters building and the Nigerian Air Force Forensic Crime Laboratory came to existence.

“Already in conjunction with foreign partners from the United Kingdom, we have trained 16 Provost personnel in the Core Investigative Skills and Interview course.

“Another set of 16 personnel will in four days’ time be concluding  the Crime Scene Investigation Course here in 057 Provost Investigation Group.

“In another development, the investigative capacity of the Provost would be enhanced through the training of 10 Provost Officers in the Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, within the last quarter of the year,” he said.

Abubakar, however, stressed that the training of provost personnel in forensic investigation was last conducted 30 years ago.

“Akin to the development of investigative and forensic skills, the NAF is also at an advanced stage of expanding and enhancing its utilisation of Military Working Dogs to boost the physical security of NAF critical mission essential areas.

“This growth is equally projected to create the capacity for the Air Provost to be integrated in the conduct of Combat Search and Rescue operations in the Service.

“In the same vein, 140 Air Provost personnel will commence the Force Protection in Complex Air Ground Environment training, in conjunction with the British Military Advisory Training Team.

“Furthermore, the rejuvenation of the Air Provost’s Explosive Ordnance Detection capability is projected to commence by the end of this year,” he said.

Abubakar said that the NAF’s recent push to make inroads in the development of the capacity and capability of the Air Provost was premised on the need to have a proactive police force, that would nip threats in the bud.

“This would also provide the enabling environment for NAF personnel to freely discharge their duties in furtherance of the Service’s constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

Abubakar, who acknowledged the unflinching support of Presudent Muhammadu Buhari, said that the laudable efforts by the NAF in building capacity could not have been possible without his determined support.

The Inspector General of Police (I-G) Ibrahim Idris, who was the special guest of honour, said he was delighted to inaugurate the newly constructed Headquarters building of 057 Provost Investigation Group and the remodeled forensic laboratory.

“Forensic Science is an integral part of the criminal justice system. It is vital in aiding the investigation of a crime and detection of criminals, as well as proving the innocence of people suspected of crimes that they did not commit.

“Without the objective evidence obtained through scientific analysis, many crime cases would have gone unsolved and the perpetrators unpunished.

“It is thus, a veritable tool for not only detection and prosecution, but also deterrence,” he said.

The I-G said that evidence was the cornerstone in modern police investigation, adding that witnesses could fall, be misunderstood, be influenced or contaminated.

“A well preserved and analysed evidence does not. This effort by the Chief of the Air Staff in providing a befitting and functional environment and making inroads in the application of forensics in policing is laudable.

“It is a testimony of the Nigerian Air Force leadership’s commitment to push the boundaries, and improve on the methodologies and technological platforms to detect and analyse evidence of crime in the Service,” he said.

Earlier, the Commander, Air Provost Investigation Group, Group Capt. Garba Hello, in his welcome address, said that the provision of the facilities would enhance the capacity of the NAF provost personnel in carrying out their duties, especially in the area of criminal investigations.

“These would significantly assist Air Provost Investigators in obtaining credible evidence for successful prosecution of cases in a court of law while at the same time adding to the country’s crime fighting resources,” he said.

Present at th inauguration were top military brass. (NAN)

BOM/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Islamic Dev. Bank assists 235 Yobe households with food items

Bank

By Mohammed Mamman

Potiskum (Yobe), Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Islamic Development Bank on Monday donated food and non-food items to 235 households of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Alhaji Musa Jidawa, the Permanent Secretary (PS) in the  State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who flagged off the distribution, said the relief materials would provide succour to the beneficiaries.

The PS, who was represented by Alhaji Garba Bila, Director, Search and Rescue in SEMA, said the relief materials would assist beneficiaries in their resettling process.

He commended the bank for extending the gesture under its social responsibility programme.

Musa said each of the 235 households received a 25kg bag of rice, beans, semovita, cooking oil, milk, soap and sanitary pads.

“This will facilitate the livelihood and resettlement programme for the IDPs,’’ he said.

According to the permanent secretary, SEMA collaborated with the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI), Red Cross and civil society organisations to ensure equitable distribution of the relief materials.

Baba Audu, a 72 year old IDP, commended the bank for the gesture, saying, “the assistance will go a long way in meeting our daily needs.’’ (NAN)

MM/FF/TÁ

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi 

Why I’m in race in Oyo State — Female Governorship candidate

Race

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu, a party candidate eying the governorship in Oyo State in 2019, says she is in the race to effect the desired change and alleviate the people’s sufferings.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday that she was determined to transform the state.

Sarumi-Aliyu, an entrepreneur and educator, is the governorship candidate of National Interest Party (NIP) in Oyo State.

She is the second female to emerge a governorship candidate in the state after Mrs Omobosola Golohor of Democractic Peoples Party (DPP).

The NIP candidate claimed that after about 20 years of democracy witnessed in Nigeria, the people of Oyo State needed better governance.

”Every day gets harder for my people and their families to get by.

“My mission in the race is to effect true change, transform the state and alleviate the sufferings of the people,” she said.

The candidate called on women and youths to ensure they elect the right people into office come 2019.

She said they can only get better when they take the right action.

“What our people in the state need are good housing, quality medical care, responsive and all-inclusive government.

“I will ensure women’s rights and safety nets where people should not be too poor to live.

“We can do all of it now. It doesn’t take 20 years to do all. What it takes is Political will.

“It is time for true representation; it is our turn to serve,” she said.

Sarumi-Aliyu said the people deserved better than what was on ground, which was why he accepted to offer herself as the flagbearer of the party.

Recall that Sarumi-Aliyu had earlier resigned her membership of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), claiming there was lack of internal democracy in the party.

She emerged the candidate of NIP on Thursday at a congress of the party held in Ibadan and monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission.(NAN)

TAA/GOM/SOA
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Oluwole Sogunle

NSE reopens on downward note, market capitalisation dips by N32bn

Shares

By Lilian Okoro

Lagos, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) Equity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed for the week on Monday on a negative note  as major blue chips continue to drop price.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation shed N32 billion or 0.31 per cent to close lower at N11.847 trillion against N11.879 trillion posted on Friday.

Also, the All-Share Index, which opened at 2,540.17 lost 100 points or 0.31 per cent to close lower at 32,440.17 amid price losses.

An analysis of price movement indicated that Okomu Oi led the price  losers’ table with a loss N6.9 to close at N70.1 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of N3 to close at N90, while Forte Oil dropped N1.45 to close at N20.05 per share.

CAP declined by 1.15 to close at N27.2, while UBN dipped by 55k to close at N5.25 per share.

Conversely, Unilever led the price gainers’ table, gaining N2 to close at N45 per share.

GTBank came second with a gain of 55k to close at N35.25, while Zenith Bank appreciated by 2k to close at N21 per share.

PZ Cussons also lost 15k to close at N13.5, while UBA decreased by 1k to close at N8.1 per share.

Similarly, the volume of traded shares decreased by 63.59 per cent with 190.568 million shares worth N3.31 billion transacted by investors in 2,942 deals.

This was in contrast to the 523.444 million shares worth N3.59 billion exchanged in 2,778 deals on Friday.

NAN reports that Access Bank emerged the investors’ delight with 46.154 million shares valued at N22.41 million.

FBN Holdings traded 18.604 million shares valued at N1.07 billion, while Transcorp followed with 16.67 million shares worth N897.18 million.

Dangote Cement sold 12.70 million shares valued at N279.11 million, while Zenith Bank trailed with 10.01 million shares worth N388.71 million.(NAN)
LUC/AOM/TÁ

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Tajudeen Atitebi

Right

By Lucy Nwachukwu

Abuja, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Babatunde Irukera, has urged healthcare providers in the country to domesticate the Patients’ Bill of Right (PBoR) in their various facilities.

Irukera gave the advice when he visited two private hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday in Abuja.

The hospitals are: Wellington Neurosurgery Centre, Maitama and Alliance Hospital, Area 11, Garki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PBoR was inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on July 31, in Abuja.

While inaugurating the bill, Osinbajo expressed optimism that the synergy among stakeholders in the health sector would translate to new quality of standards in the experience of patients in the country.

He also expressed hope that with the PBoR,  increased funding in the healthcare system would translate to direct improvement in the quality of the final output of healthcare delivery in the country.

Irukera, while commending the two hospitals that had domesticated the bill, urged those yet to domesticate it to do so as it was a matter of saving lives.

He said: “ some people have taken the exemplary step of setting the standard; you have to step up to the standard for those yet to domesticate. It is time to think about it as time is of the essence.“

According to Irukera, the bill is a self executing initiative, saying that CPC has conceptualised it to make it a game changer in the country health industry.

“What you are seeing now are hospitals that have invited the CPC to domesticate the PBoR.

“Beyond the campaign, what they are doing is that they are taking this document and saying that this is becoming our own code, this is becoming our own internal standard of operation.

“They are holding themselves accountable; they are saying to their employees, you have the responsibility to respect these rights.

“They are saying to the patients also, look at your rights and hold us accountable to them.

“That will help safe lives and it will certainly improve our healthcare in the country.

“This is the second we are doing, we know that public institutions are also coming up with a plan and this will go across the whole nation.

According to Irukera, some healthcare providers are ignorant of the rights of patients and the PBoR will help train both the patients and healthcare providers.

He said the bill gave patients control over the cost of their treatment and ensured they were treated well during an emergency.

He also said that it provided sufficient information for them to take the right decisions about their healthcare among others.

Earlier, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, Senior Consultant, Wellington Neurosurgery Centre said it was a privilege for the centre to provide special services to patients in the country.

He pledged the continued support of the centre to CPC, adding that the concept of the centre mandated it to put the live of the patient before the medical bill.

Also, Ms Marvel Ochoga, General Manager of the centre said the centre understood what the PBoR entailed and would work with the Federal Government to provide quality healthcare to Nigerians.

Dr Rebecca Adeyemi, a Consultant at Alliance Hospital said: “ we announce our support for and throw our weight behind this piece of document which every hospital should be very mindful of.

“The patient is in the centre of the medical world and the interest and well being of the patient must take top priority above every other consideration.

“We are already observing the bill as it is in line with our core value system and I encourage other hospitals, whether private or government, to comply with the provisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill contains the right to relevant information in a language and manner patients understand, the right to timely access to detail and accurate medical records and available services.

It also contains right to transparent billing and full disclosure of any cost, right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records and right to clean, safe and secure healthcare environment.

Others are right to be treated with respect, regardless of gender, race, religion, and ethnicity, allegations of crime, disability or economic circumstances.

It includes right to receive urgent and sufficient intervention and care in the event of an emergency and right to reasonable visitation in accordance with prevailing rules and regulations.

The rights to decline care, consent to participation in medical research, right to quality care in accordance to prevailing standards and rights to express dissatisfaction regarding services received is also included in the bill. (NAN)
LCN/DUA

Edited Dada Ahmed

Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
ABUJA, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospects of rainfall and thunderstorm activities over most parts of the country on Tuesday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday, predicted cloudy morning over the central cities with thunderstorms over Ilorin, Gombe, Yola,
Jalingo and their environs.

It added that scattered thunderstorm were likely over most parts in the afternoon and evening period with day and night temperatures of 26 to 30 and 15 to 24 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The agency predicted partly cloudy to cloudy conditions over the northern region with thunderstorm over Yelwa in the morning hours.

It also predicted scattered thunderstorms over the northwest with and thundery activities over north east in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures in the ranges of 30 to 36 and 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

According to NiMet, Southern states will experience thunderstorms over Enugu, Ikom, and Abakaliki with cloudy conditions over the remaining inland cities while moderate
rains are like over the coastal cities in the morning.

“The entire region has prospect for thunderstorm and moderate rainfall activities in the afternoon and evening period with day and night temperatures of 27 to 31 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/OFN/AFA

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Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Felix Ajide

Dankwambo pledges to improve Nigeria ’s economy, if elected president

Dankwambo
By Martha Nyam
Jos, Sept. 24, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State says he will improve Nigeria’s economy, if elected president.

Dankwambo, a presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the pledge in Jos on Monday
while addressing delegates and other party faithful at the state secretariat.

He said that with his wealth of experience in governance, especially in the finance sector, he was the right person to improve the nation’s economy.

“I have been privileged to work in some of the best places anyone will want to work. I am a qualified accountant, excellent banker and a chartered marketer.

“I have worked in the CBN and other financial institutions; with these wealth of experience, I can assure you that I can take Nigeria to heights that are unimaginable.”

Dankwambo said that he would restore the dignity and supremacy of the party among all other considerations.

He said that all aspirants under the platform were qualified for any post, adding that at the age of 56, he is neither too young or too old to preside over the affairs of the country.

He described himself as a faithful party man who had remained in the party, despite all the challenges.

“I will ensure that I restore the supremacy and dignity of our party, if elected; the APC, today, is full of propaganda; I will not allow us to tow that path.

“All aspirants under the platform of the PDP are qualified, right from the president to the councillors. I assure you that each and everyone of us is better than what we have today.”

The aspirant said that he would secure Nigeria and make security his priority just like he did in his state despite being surrounded by troubled states.

“I will make security my priority when I become president just like what I have been able to do in my state.

“Gombe is surrounded by states challenged by insecurity, but we have been able to secure lives and property.

”I don’t have cases of kidnapping or farmer/herder clashes; we have maintained peace and I want to replicate same all over the country.”

Dankwambo added that having enjoyed free education and some privileges while growing up, he intended to extend same to Nigerians when he becomes President.

“I have gone through primary and secondary schools free of charge; my tertiary education and other courses I did was also almost free.

“I want every Nigerian to be able to enjoy these privileges I enjoyed while growing up.”

Dankwambo, while wooing delegates, advised them to choose wisely during the primaries, stating that only 91 of them would make a decision for over six million Plateau indigenes.

In his address, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Damishi Sango, described Dankwambo as a man with a good heart and leadership qualities, who has been able to govern Gombe State effectively in spite the differences in religion and tribe.

Sango assured the aspirant of the party’s support in his bid to clinch the number one seat in the country. (NAN)

ADY/JEO/NKO
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Edited Janefrances Oraka/Nkechi Okoronkwo

APC expels Rep. Dep. Chief Whip

Expel

Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Benin, Sept. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr Pally Iriase, has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for alleged anti-party activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker who represents Owan Federal Constituency, was expelled by his ward and ratified by the Local Government.

The expulsion letter was signed by Zuberu Shabah and Theophilus Aigboje, Chairman and Secretary respectively, of Owan East Local Government and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Allegations leveled against Iriase included defection of Ward eight and nine APC executives to the PDP on the orders of Iriase, presenting his Personal Assistant, Hilary Ozogo, to contest under the PDP platform and refusal to attend APC meetings.

In the letter addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole through the Edo Chairman of the party, Mr Anselm Ojezua, the Owan East APC said it ratified the decision of APC members of Ward nine to expel Iriase.

The letter said all laid down rules and procedures as enshrined in article 21 of the APC’s constitution were followed in reaching the conclusion to expel Iriase.

It said the APC in Owan East has since moved on without Iriase and the evidence would show in the forth coming elections.

According to the letter, “I humbly invite Mr. Chairman to kindly note the decision of the Owan East chapter of the APC and grant it the very urgent attention it requires.

“The APC leadership and members in Owan East have already moved forward without Pally Iriase as we are growing in numbers everyday. This will be evident in the results we post in the forthcoming elections.

“Iriase refused to officially inform the APC of his defection because he wants to continue to enjoy the benefit of the office of the Deputy Chief Whip.”

Attempts made to get the lawmaker’s reaction on his expulsion were unsuccessful as his two mobile numbers were switched off.

NAN recalls that Iriase had at the weekend confirmed that there was intense pressure on him to move to PDP, nut added that he  remained focus and committed to the APC.

He noted that the rumour about his defection to the opposition may have been informed by his decision not to contest for any political.

According to him, “I have made my direction politically very clear, am not contesting the 2019 general election.

“Am a member of APC, people who do not want to be in APC anymore have defected. It is a personal thing; you don’t do it by surrogate

“Any politician of note that is considered to have electoral value is likely, under the kind of circumstances we find ourselves in Edo state, to be under severe pressure from poachers.

“But what you make of that pressure is the real issue, am calm. From rumour flying around, I remain who I am.” (NAN)
ESI/MZA