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Osun 2018: APC chieftain expresses confidence on party`s victory

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Victory

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mr Jacob Ogunseye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the acting Publicity Secretary of the party`s United Kingdom chapter, has predicted victory for the party in the ongoing Osun governorship election.

Ogunseye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Saturday in Abuja, that with the outstanding performance of President Muhammadu Buhari at the federal and outgoing governor of the state, Ogbeni Raul Aregbesola in the state, it is nothing, but victory for the party at the election.

According to him, moreso that the party had done all it needed to do during the campaign by selling its candidate, Mr Gboyega Oyetola and manifesto to the people of the sate to deserve victory.

Ogunseye noted that the party had also based its campaign on issues, rather than individuals as was done by some other political parties during the campaign.

He described Ogbeni Raul Aregbesola, the Osun out going governor as courageous and a performer, adding that he showed competency and had delivered dividends to the people of the state.

“I know that APC will carry the day, our party has done well in the state in the last eight years, though, there are pocket of issues, but the governor, with the help of his team in which Mr Oyetola is key, has demystified beliefs in certain quarters,“he said.

He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for endorsing continuity, despite some challenges faced by the outgoing government.

“The good people of the state have expressed their readiness to allow the party to continue with the affairs of governance. I have no doubt of what the outcome of the election will be, “he said. (NAN)

EEM/KOLE

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Edited by Remi Koleoso

Campaign

By Sunday John

Lafia, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday in Lafia, promised to take Nigeria to a higher level if elected president in 2019.

Atiku, who is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, stated this while addressing the Nasarawa State Working Committee and delegates of PDP.

According to him, insecurity, poverty, and hunger are some of the factors militating against the progress of Nigeria.

Atiku said that it was improper to describe Nigerian youths as  lazy people who only needed free money.

According to him, available records have proved Nigerian youths to be excellent sportsmen and women, astute businessmen and women,  among other things.

“If elected President of Nigeria , I will restructure Nigeria by empowering the youths, eradicate hunger and poverty, as well as fight insecurity,” he stated.

The former vice president also promised to develop all states sharing boundaries with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This, according to him, is because most of the people working in FCT reside in communities located in the neighbouring states.

He called on the delegates to vote for him given his experience, high net-worth and resourcefulness.

Responding, Francis Orugu, the Nasarawa State PDP Chairman, commended Atiku for the visit.

He promised that delegates from the state would vote for a credible aspirant that would be able to represent the party in the 2019 presidential election. (NAN)

SJ/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

African Shippers set to review port concession agreement

Port

By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni/Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) Mr Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) on Friday said that African maritime stakeholders would meet to review the port concession agreement.

Bello, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said the NSC was putting in place a comprehensive tariff regime to make the port more attractive.

According to him, the Union of African Shippers Council conference scheduled to hold on Sept. 25 to bring the terminal operators together to decide on the details of the review process.

.         Cue in Audio: (Bello on port concession review)

“It is a Union of African Shippers Council which we are hosting to review what we would like to see.

“Port concessioning is a very good concept but we have to exercise abundant caution to see that it is done well.

“It is not only the government that is looking for review; the terminal operators are also looking for the review.

“We cannot review the port concessioning on behalf of anybody; all parties must come together and NSC has an important role to play in that.

“We must be part of that concession because we are the port economic regulator, we are the neutral referees.”

.         Cue out Audio.

He said that the NSC, as the economic regulator, would advise government, through the minister, on matters relating to the structure of freight rates, availability and adequacy of shipping space.

Bello said that the council would also advise government on frequency of sailings, terms of shipment and class as well as quality of vessels. (NAN)
TY/OYS/HAS/
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Edited by Hajia Sani

Osun election: INEC’s secret balloting curbed open vote buying – CSOs
Balloting
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Sept.22, 2018(NAN) Two Civil Society Organisations monitoring the Osun governorship election on Saturday said the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC’s) secret balloting had so far made it impossible for people to openly buy and sell votes.

The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the group was monitoring the election in 250 polling units.

Itodo said that so far,it was obvious that INEC took deliberate steps to ensure that the secrecy of balloting was not compromised .

“There were two things INEC assured the stakeholders of, first was the reconsideration of the polling units, the ballot box and the cubicle would be placed closer to each other.

.“The polling officials were carrying out voter education in the morning, especially on how to roll their ballot papers according to the election guidelines provided by INEC guidelines.

“So, INEC kept to its promise of secret balloting,.however ,there were still some instances where voters intentionally exposed their ballot, in fact one actually happened before me.’’

Itodo encouraged voters to stop doing that, because it would undermine the integrity of the entire electoral process .

He said that at the moment ,the group had not observed any vote buying or selling activity though it was still very premature to state anything .

The National Coordinator, Election Monitor, Mr Abiodun Ajijola, said that he had so far not witnessed nor heard of vote buying during the election .

Ajijola said that things were moving as planned except for one or two issues on card readers where it was not authenticating properly.

He said that a request was made and something was being done about it.

The groups, therefore, commended INEC for the conduct of the exercise, so far.

NAN reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

NAN also reports that although 48 parties are participating in the election, the frontline candidates are Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic (SDP). (NAN)

ATAB/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Freight forwarders bemoan low cargo clearing in Apapa port

Clearing

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Some concerned freight forwarders on Saturday bemoaned low number of containers cleared by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Apapa port.

The port users, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the challenges facing their operations in Lagos State, alleged that only between 38 and 40 containers were cleared by NCS for release daily, in spite of the automation of ports operations.

“Risk Assessment Report (RAR), Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and the latest Nigeria Customs Integrated Service II are expected to speed up cargo transaction but to no avail.

“Clearing and release of containers daily become herculean and, most times, fruitless because of human interference, coupled with incessant system break down,” lamented Mr Osita Chukwu.

Chukwu, the Convener, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, appealed to the NCS to make the port user-friendly to check loss of investment capital through undeserved demurrage.

According to him, it behoves customs to support other agencies to be alert to their duties to ensure transparency and accountability in remittance of funds generated from cargo transactions.

Mr Obinna Okoroafor, who compared his experience at the Republic of Benin port to Nigerian ports, said that there was less human contact in the Cotonou port than the Apapa port.

Okoroafor, a chieftain of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Ikorodu chapter, urged authorities at the Apapa port to employ automated platforms to hasten and ease process of doing business.

“If everything is streamlined into a proactive and functional automated platform as witnessed in other countries, it will save us time and money too,” he said.

Miss Debi Akinola, a Customs Broker, said that the Apapa port, a premier port in Nigeria, should be a model for others.

Akinola said that agencies should appoint competent officers to efficiently manage the tasks at the Apapa port. (NAN)
EUC/HAS/
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Edited by Hajia Sani

Poll
Ilesa, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN)  Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has commended the large turn out of voters for Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Aregbesola,  who spoke after casting his vote at 11:50 am at his  Ifofin Ward 8, Unit 1 Polling Unit in Ilesa, also commended the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC) for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that Aregbesola arrived at the polling unit with his wife, Sherifat,  at 11:38 am.

The governor said the large turnout of voters and their peaceful conduct was a signal to their desire to elect a leader of their choice.

”  I must commend the voters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and for coming out in their large numbers.

” This is the beauty of democracy,’’ he said.

The governor also used the opportunity to dismiss the speculation that the payment of workers’ full salary before the election was for political reasons.

But Sen. Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) lamented what he called irregularities in the conduct of the exercise.

Omisore, who spoke shortly after voting at his Moore Ward 1, 003 Polling Unit at 11:25 am,  alleged that there were insufficient electoral materials in some polling units in Osogbo.

He also claimed that the card readers were malfunctioning in some polling units in Ile-Ife.

Omisore, however,  urged the voters to exercise their civic responsibility by trooping out to vote.

He also urged the electorate to refrain from vote-selling, saying they would be mortgaging their future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

Although there are a total of  1,682,495 registered voters, over 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remained uncollected as at Friday.

NAN also reports that while 48 parties are participating in the election,  Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party and  Omisore of the SDP are the frontline candidates.  (NAN)
EDA/VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Caption: Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli
NAPTIP urges implementation of Child Rights Act by states
By Mustapha Sumaila
Rights
Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called on state governments to implement the Child Rights Act to curb child trafficking in the country.
The NAPTIP Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Mr Josiah Emerole, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
Emerole said there was urgent need for stakeholders to push the 24 states which had domesticated the Act to ensure its full implementation.
He appealed to the states yet to domesticate the Act to do so and prepare a better future for Nigerian children.
He also urged the media to play a key role in the advocacy programmes of the agency towards ensuring its full implementation at the state and federal levels.
According to him, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, has done much in creating awareness against child and other forms of human trafficking in the country.
“Public awareness is being created in all parts of this country to address this challenge of human trafficking.
“NAPTIP cannot do it alone hence the need for the general public to give us relevant information to arrest the menace of human trafficking in the society,” he said. (NAN)
MS/JTJ/MST
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Office
By Aminu Garko
Minna, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Prof. Mohammed Ali, said the sum of N368 million was spent on construction, furnishing and powering of the authority’s headquarters office complex in Minna.

Ali, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday, said the projects consisted the purchase of solar power generating sets, street lights and boreholes.

He said the building, with 36 offices and a conference hall was initiated to provide additional offices to enhance efficiency and productivity among its workforce.

“We are currently spending about N200 million for the construction of the additional office complex to accommodate our entire workforce for effective administration,” he said.

He stated that the work had reached about 70 per cent completion, expressing satisfaction with the level and quality of work done so far.

He said that the authority embarked on the project because of its desire to provide conducive working atmosphere for its staff for smooth implementation of its programmes.

He said that the about N120 million was also spent on the purchase of 100KVA solar plant and 40 solar street lights at the headquarters premises.

He said that the provision of the solar powered lights had reduced the challenge of lack of power supply in the implementation of the authority’s programmes of action.

Ali said that N48million was spent on the construction of 6 solar powered boreholes in different parts of the headquarters for staff and neighbouring communities.

The Managing Director added that the aim was to provide good drinking water for members of the public which plays host to the authourity.

He promised that the authority would continue to implement laudable policies and programmes towards motivating its workforce. (NAN)
AAG/JTJ/IS
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Edited by Julius Jegede/Ismail Abdulaziz

Osun poll: CSOs laud security agencies’ professionalism

Professionalism

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2018 (NAN) Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) monitoring the ongoing Osun governorship election have commended the high level of professionalism displayed by security personnel deployed for the poll.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the Executive Director, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Mrs Joe Okei-Odumakin,  said the security agencies had so far displayed the highest level of professionalism in their coverage of the exercise.

Okei-Odumakin also commended the turnout of voters during the poll, describing it as “ massive”.

“It was a massive turnout of voters. It is relatively calm. The election started early. The security agencies have so far displayed highest level of professionalism and we still want them to remain transparent,” she said.

Okei-Odumakin, who also told NAN that the organisation had deployed 100 observers across the 30 local government areas of the state, said that 20 roving observers were also on ground to monitor the poll.

‘’I have also personally gone to Ede, Modakeke, Iragbiji and I am in Ife now,” she said.

According to her, the poll has so far been peaceful and the voters have conducted themselves well.

She said none of the observers had brought any report on shortages of election materials as at the time of the interview.

Also in a telephone interview with NAN, Esther Uzoma, a member of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, commended the police and other security agencies deployed for the election for their good conduct.

Uzoma also noted the massive turnout of voters in the places she had visited, so far.

‘’We have covered Osun South and Ede and right now, we are going to Ikire. The election has been peaceful, the security agencies are conducting themselves well,” she said.

NAN reports that there are 3,010 Polling Units and 755 Polling Points spread across the three senatorial districts and 30 local governments areas of the state.

Although INEC registered a total of 1,682,495 voters, some 400,000 Permanent Voters Cards remained uncollected as at Friday.

NAN also reports that 48 parties are participating in the election, but the frontline candidates are: Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).(NAN)
TOA/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Phones
Osogbo, Sept.  22, 2018 (NAN) Security agents attached to polling units in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun are monitoring the use of smartphones by voters,  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports.

In some of the polling units visited in Ilesa and Ile-Ife, majority of the voters came to the polling units with their smartphones although security agents did not allow them to take them inside the cubicles to vote.

A security personnel,  who spoke with NAN on the condition of anonymity,  said the measure was to check vote-buying.

He expressed the belief that the move had so far checked the incidence of  vote-buying at polling units.

Mr Jimmy George,  an election observer,  commended security agents for preventing voters from using their phones inside the cubicles.

George , who is the National Secretary of the National Committee of Patriots,  said the action of the security agents would minimise vote-buying in the election.

Meanwhile,  accreditation and voting in  the election continued  on a peaceful note in many polling units across the state.

At Unit 12A,  Ward 05 in Ile-Ife,  voters were seen on the queue peacefully with INEC ad hoc staff attending to them.

It was also observed that the card reader machines were  also working perfectly at the polling unit visited by  NAN.

Mr Lukman Adedini,  the Social Democratic Party (SDP),  agent confirmed that the election had been peaceful.

Adedini also commended INEC ad hoc staff  for arriving on time.

Also at Ward 6, Remo Unit 2 in Ile-Ife,  many voters  were seen on the queue.

Mrs Victoria Komolafe, the Presiding Officer, who  said the election had been orderly and peaceful, also commended the large turnout of voters.

Mr Olayade Abiola,  the SDP party agent at the polling unit, commended  INEC for the prompt arrival of materials. (NAN)
VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)