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Transparency
By Deborah Coker

Benin, Sept 22, 2018 (NAN) A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Governor of Sokoto State,  Aminu Tambuwal, has promised to be transparent, accountable and equitable if allowed to rule the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal made the promise in Benin on Saturday when he met with the PDP delegates and leaders to the Oct. 5 and 6 presidential primaries.

“I promise to be transparent, accountable and equitable if allowed to rule the country, ” Tambuwal said.

He also promised to unite the country and always listen to the yearnings of the citizens, as well as accommodate the exigencies of the country.

“I will build the needed bridge for the stabilisation of the country as well as respect the interest of women, youths and the elderly,” he said.

He said at the current stage of the nation’s democracy, there was need for all concerned to work to re-unite the country, as well as identify a unifier and pan-Nigerian with understanding of the complexities of the polity to rule the country.

He stressed the need for the country to have a leader who could be trusted and have respect for institutions.

He added that a leader must be the chief marketer of his country and not go out to condemn an arm of government.

Tambuwal, who was former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that the country would be safer with the party in 2019, and appealed to delegates to support him at the primaries, so as to reposition the country in 2019.

Responding, Chief Dan Orbih, State party Chairman, said: “the aspirant was a symbol of the rising generation of Nigerians who desire to break the unending re-circle of old politicians.”

He said the aspirant had what it would take to move the nation to greater height. (NAN)
DCO/AAB/IA

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Idris Abdulrahman

Economy
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Sept. 22, 2018(NAN) Dr. Kola Balogun, an African Democratic Congress(ADC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, has vowed to make the state economically viable,  if elected.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday that his ambition was motivated by his desire to entrench good governance.

NAN reports that Balogun is a former Commissioner for Commerce in the state under former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala from 2007 to 2011.

Balogun, who expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious, said he possessed unparalleled skills and qualities to govern the state.

“I am not in the race for frivolities. My mission is to make Oyo State economically viable, physically functional, socially pleasant and environmentally delightful to live and work through good governance,” he said.

The former commissioner expressed confidence that the ADC would form the next government in the state, pledging to execute people-oriented projects.

He said that his administration, if elected, would ensure equitable distribution of resources and projects across all zones of the state.

According to him, “our youths and women will be adequately represented. We will make the state more conducive and attractive to investors. We will enhance the security network of the state.

“We will harness the agricultural potentials of the state, create jobs, ensure functional and qualitative health care delivery system, improve education standard, as well promote sports development.”

Balogun had on Thursday at the state secretariat of ADC, obtained the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.

NAN reports that Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, Mr Lowo Obisesan, Dr Yunus Akintunde, Mr Remi Oseni and Mr Rauf Olaniyan are among aspirants who have obtained the party’s governorship nomination form. (NAN)

TAA/AAB/IA

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Idris Abdulrahman

Bafarawa

By Martha Azi

Jos, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Dr. Attahiru Bafarawa, former Sokoto governor and PDP presidential aspirant, has said that only a true democrat could deliver sound leadership and solve Nigeria’s development problems .

Bafarawa, who spoke on Saturday in Jos, at a meeting with PDP supporters in Plateau, opined that President Muhammadu Buhari’s military background had made it difficult for him to handle issues on democratic governance.

“I am a true democrat capable of taking Nigeria out of its numerous problems. We need true democrats to pull us out of the woods. What we have now is not true democracy,” he said.

Bafarawa said that his main strength was his integrity, claiming he had never been involved in corrupt tendencies in the course of his various leadership roles.

The aspirant, however, said that he would support whoever emerged as the PDP presidential candidate.

Wooing the delegates, he urged them to vote wisely, saying that they must vote according to their conscience.

“I am a man of integrity and have never been corrupt. When I was governor of Sokoto State, I left N13 billion in the state’s coffers after serving for eight years.

“I did not stay in the government house and was not even interested in salary. I am not a poor man. I am contented and I want everybody to be contented too.

“The election is not about Bafarawa. It is about Nigeria. If I lose the primaries, I will support the candidate because Nigeria needs the right person to take charge of its affairs,” he said.

The Plateau chairman of PDP, Mr Damishi Sango, in a remark, urged the aspirant to work toward a peaceful Nigeria if elected its president, and commended Bafarawa for running a matured campaign. (NAN)

ADY/AAB/ETS
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi and Ephraims Sheyin

TCN commissions 60MVA, 132, 33kv power transformer in Okpella substation to boost electricity supply
Electricity
By Kingsley Okoye
Okpella (Edo), Sept. 22, 2018(NAN) The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Saturday commissioned 1x60MVA ,132,33kv power transformer at the Okpella transmission substation in Edo state to boost electricity supply to Auchi, Okpella ,Igarra and its environs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Okpella 1x15MVA,132/33Kv substation was an old substation with a limited capacity to adequately supply electricity to Okpella, BUA cement company, Aghenebode town and environs.
NAN reports that because of the limitation, TCN awarded the contract for the reinforcement of the substation in 2012 to Messers Power Control and Appliances (PCA) to add 1×60 MVA,13/33kv transformer to increase the quality of supply in the area.
The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) Prof. James Momoh, while commissioning the transformer in company of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, said communities in Edo north had been experiencing poor electricity supply over the years.
He said that this had impacted negatively on the industrial development of the zone and the state in general.
“The villages around here witness low voltage, meaning there is no impact in development, it cannot touch industrialisation that we want because the quality of supply is very low.
“Because we are unable to harness power, industries cannot spring up in Edo, where we have all the vegetation, we have all the minerals.
“The lopsidedness in supply made it very impossible for distribution to get to our villages.“
He explained that the provision of the new additional power transformer in the substation was for the interest of the Edo people, adding that the Okpella community must maintain and protect the facility.
“It will serve Okpella cement factory, it will serve other people, but we want to make sure we create jobs, we create industries. It will bring relief to our people; it will transform the economy of the state.“
Momoh, who promised to ensure improved power supply in Edo also commended TCN management and its in-house engineers for installing the power transformer.
“TCN engineers have done many installations in the country, they are saving money for Nigeria.“
Responding, Obaseki said that the initiative of TCN had just ignited the starting of industrial revolution in the state.
“We thanked TCN and NERC for what they are doing in the electricity industry.
“The issue of electricity supply was at the front burner during my campaign and you have help up spark up electricity supply via this initiative by increasing the capacity of the substation with over 300 per cent.
He said that the state government would continue to support TCN in the discharge of its duties, especially on resolving the onerous challenge of right of way on transmission lines.
He appealed to NERC to prevail on Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to improve its supply to customers, saying that BEDC was underperforming in the state.
The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed said that the installation of the 60MVA 132,33kv in Okpella was consistent with the industrial policy of Edo government.
He attributed it to the existence of huge mineral deposits like limestone in the area.
He said that the installation would improve power supply to BUA cement company, Aghenebode town, Igara and many other communities in the state.
According to Mohammed, the installation of the 1x60MVA at Okpella substation will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN to 7,124MW.
He said that TCN would soon complete the installation of another 30MVA on the station and re-conduct the Benin, Irua Auchi, Okpella, and Okene 132 substations.
He said that this would enable the optimum use of the capacity being installed on the Okpella station.
“We are adding 100MVA at Irua, 150MVA at Benin, and another 100MVA at Benin transmission station.
`TCN has also successfully installed 40MVA at Auchi 132, 33kv substation,“ Mohammed said. (NAN)
KC/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Election
By Victor Adeoti
Ogbagba (Osun), Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun, says voting-buying has negatively affected the just concluded election in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Akinbade, who spoke to newsmen in Ogbagba after the accreditation and voting exercise,  said  “ vote-buying has cast shadows on the governorship election.’’

According to him, “ vote-buying had taken the shine off the election.’’

Akinbade, however,  commended voters for ensuring a  peaceful electoral process.

The former Secretary to the State Government,  who voted at his Oba’s Compound, Ward 3, Polling Unit 1 at  10.35am,  also said that the nation’s democracy was improving on all fronts.

“By and large, we are inching gradually to a convenient point in our polity.

“ Everybody involved in this election should be commended;  the INEC officials, security agents, electorate, politicians and others.

“At least, reported cases of electoral violence are limited, apart from the incidence of vote buying that dotted everywhere while the exercise lasted.

“ We just hope something will be done to it in organised electoral engagements in the future, ” Akinbade said.

The ADC standard bearer  appealed to the people of the state to remain peaceful and  not promote  violence after the release of the result. (NAN)
VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

EPL

Leicester (UK), Sept. 22, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Leicester City eased the pressure on manager Claude Puel by beating Huddersfield Town 3-1 on Saturday to leave the visitors rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

Leicester had lost eight of their last 12 league games but Puel finally had something to smile about as his side ran out comfortable winners at the King Power Stadium.

Huddersfield must have thought their luck was changing when Mathias Jorgensen fired them in front after five minutes. But the lead was short-lived as Kelechi Iheanacho brought the home side level on 19 minutes.

James Maddison put Leicester ahead on 65 minutes with a well-taken free kick before Jamie Vardy sealed all three points with a clever finish 15 minutes from time. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MZA

By Kayode Adebiyi

Tennis

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The 2018 edition of the annual Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Tennis League Cup teed off at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday.

The tournament, which has been running since 2015, is an International Tennis Academy (ITA) championship sponsored by the NCC.

Declaring the tournament open at the tennis court of the Abuja National Stadium, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Umar Dambatta, assured tennis stakeholders that the Commission would continue to support the event.

Represented by Inatimi Spiff, Deputy Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy of the Commission, the EVC stressed that the tournament has yielded positive results among Nigerian youths since its commencement.

“This is the fourth year that we are having this tournament and we are pleased to continue to sponsor it, because of the result it has yielded.

“Everyone is a winner and we advise the players to use this as a platform to further sharpen their skills,” Dambatta said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCC Tennis League Cup will be played in 12 venues across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Delivering her goodwill message at the opening ceremony, a representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, praised the effort of the NCC and encouraged other institutions to emulate the Commission’s gesture.

“This competition has been taken to 12 venues in the six geopolitical zones, which means youths in those areas have been empowered.

“I want to appeal to other institutions to support sports development because this competition shows that sports can be used to empower our youths,” Akinyemi, a director in the ministry, said.

The NCC Tennis League Cup is a team-based tournament in four categories: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles.

NAN also reports that a total of 23 million naira prize money is up for grabs in this year’s tournament, with the overall best team smiling home with the sum of seven million naira.

The runners up and third-placed teams will earn five million and three million naira, respectively, while the fourth-placed team will be rewarded with two million naira.

Speaking at the event, Dayo Akindoju, President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, also commended the NCC, while urging other well-meaning bodies to come on board and support the discovery of sports talents for the nation.

“The NCC Cup is one of the biggest tennis events in Nigeria. We are grateful to the Commission for encouraging our youths and for discovering talents for the federation.

“We hope other institutions will emulate what the NCC is doing for sports development,” Akintoju said.

In the opening matches decided at the Centre Court of the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday, Imeh Joseph of Team Tech Vibes defeated Oparaoji Ude of Team Goshen 6-3, 6-3.

Joseph’s teammate, Thomas Otu also overpowered Emmanuel Sunday of Goshen 7-6, 6-4.

In the women’s game, Tech Vibes’ Aanu Ayegbusi dispersed Goshen’s Blessing Samuel 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the next round of the tournament. (NAN)

KIA/KTO/MZA

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Maharazu Ahmed

Milestone

Cardiff (UK), Sept. 22, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Sergio Aguero marked his 300th appearance for Manchester City with a familiar landmark goal to set the resurgent Premier League champions on their way to a magnificent 5-0 win at Cardiff City on Saturday.

Aguero helped City rebound in emphatic fashion after their worst performance of the season in the home Champions League defeat by Lyon.

A typical sharp, close-range finish from Bernardo Silva’s pass saw him notch his 205th goal for the club.

Aguero’s close-range strike just after the half-hour opened the floodgates with Silva heading home three minutes later and Ilkay Gundogan firing home a glorious third before the break to guarantee Cardiff’s winless league start continued.

City, then able to stroll as they extended their unbeaten league run to 12 matches, celebrated further when record signing Riyad Mahrez joined the party with two superb second-half goals. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MZA

Skill
By Adekunle Williams
Lagos, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The traditional ruler of Ikotun land, Oba Azeez Gbadabiu, on Saturday urged the youth to leverage on the opportunities in skill acquisition to reduce unemployment and poverty level in the country.

Gbadabiu made the plea at the graduation ceremony of 780 beneficiaries trained in various skills under the empowerment programme of the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State, Mr Owolabi Salis.

The monarch said that acquiring skills would enable youths to supplement their income and improve on their living condition.

“If students that have been empowered today can leverage on the opportunities provided by the sponsor, then they would be able to live responsible lives and avoid social vices.

“There are students doing soap making, shoe making; fashion design; makeup, while some of them are now into making beads.

“Some are into photography and this is really helping them. It takes them off depression and gives them the hope that the future is bright,’’ he said.

The monarch added that wherever they found themselves, they should make use of what they had acquired to contribute to the society.

Salis said that he established different skill acquisition programmes for the youth because he could not withstand the pain of seeing them roam the street.

The gubernatorial candidate noted that having multiple incomes would help to solve various societal problems such as crime, corruption, hunger and other social vices.

He said that the objective of the programme was to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.

Salis urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills acquired as they had displayed commitment during the course of the programme.

He said that the beneficiaries were trained in various skills such as hair dressing, barbing, building and road construction, fashion designing, tailoring, beauticology, Tie-dye and designing and marketing technology.

Salis mentioned others to include shoe making, soap/balm making, catering, film and audio editing, computer training, gas refilling business, automobile mechanic, fishing farming, aluminum and steel making and general printing. (NAN)
WAC/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi