Blog

NAN-AE-21
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy weather conditions over the central states with day and night temperatures of 31 to 38 degrees Celsius and 13 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively on Friday.

NiMet made the prediction in the Weather Outlook issued by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Thursday.

The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy skies over the entire inland and the coast in the morning with chances of isolated thunder storms over Port Harcourt, Yenegoa and Eket.

It also predicted isolated thunderstorms over Oshogbo, Ado-Ekiti, Ibadan, Akure, Lagos, Warri, Yenegoa, Port Harcourt and Eket later in the day with day and night time temperatures of 32 to 36 degrees and 21 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to NiMet, the northern states will experience dust haze in moderate visibility of three to five kilometres throughout the forecast period.

“The region will also have day and night time temperatures of 34 to 39 degrees Celsius and 15 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.

“Dust haze conditions though in moderate visibility should be expected over the north while some places over the south have prospects of isolated thunderstorms in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
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NAN-S-19
Federations
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, on Thursday in Abuja said major changes would take place in all the sports federations.

Dalung told newsmen that sports federation needed to be repositioned to face the present challenges in the sector, especially in the area of governance.

“Very soon, there will be major development in the federations. We must reposition the federations to be capable of taking on this new challenge, and thereafter elections will take place.

“In the elections, we are going to be fair and make sure that we do not interfere. My interest will be the interest of those who are elected by their federations.

“The only time I will interfere is when a footballer goes to contest election in the boxing federation and that time I can assure you that I will interfere, ‘’ he said.

Dalung advised politicians who are looking for appointment in the federations to look elsewhere.

“Politicians who are looking for board appointments in the federations should wait for appointments in the boards of the Federal Government.

“This is because they have no business in sports and should not come to interfere in sporting activities,’’ he said.

Dalung also advised the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa, and other staff of the ministry not to interfere in the elections in any way.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-HE-30

N-Power

Lokoja, Dec. 1, 2016 ( NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Thursday in Lokoja began the N-Power programme for 4,521 beneficiaries from the state.

The N-Power is a job creation and empowerment scheme designed by the Federal Government, aimed at helping young Nigerians to acquire lasting skills.

Bello commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts  at fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises to the people.

He charged the beneficiaries to be diligent and give their best in the discharge of their duties.

The governor said that the scheme will last for two years but promised permanent job for any of them found outstanding during the period.

According to Bello, government is making efforts to revitalise all moribund industries to provide jobs for the teeming youths across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral, Donor Agencies and Special Projects/Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, Mr Adoga Ibrahim, said physical verification and deployment of beneficiaries to their various places of assignment would begin.

He directed the beneficiaries to report with their credentials at the headquarters of the 21 local governments in the state where the exercise would take place. ( NAN)
KKA/IA
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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-HG-27
HIV
Bauchi, Dec. 1,2016 (NAN) The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tubercolosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) said it had recorded 98 per cent success in its effort at preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child in the past 11 months.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Mansur Dada, stated this on Thursday while briefing newsmen in Bauchi to mark the 2016 World AIDS Day.
He said that the agency had designated 113 centers across the state for the implementation of programmes on Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Dada also stated that there was a significant decrease in the state’s HIV/AIDS prevalence
rate, dropping from 6.8 per cent in 2000, to 0.6 per cent currently.

He commended the Bauchi State government and all other stakeholders for their commitment to fight the menace of HIV AIDS in the state.

Meanwhile, a Bauchi-based non-governmental organization, Community Initiative for Healthy and Peacxeful Society,on Thursday embarked on free screening of members of the public to mark the AIDS Day.

Co’ordinator of the organization, Mr Aminu Wagani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the exercise was conducted at the central motor park of Alkaleri town, about 44km from Bauchi metropolis.

Wagani said 30 people were screened, all of them indicating negative.

He said they also held a street rally and paid an advocacy visit to the palace of the District Head of Alkaleri.(NAN)
AE/ASH/ASH

NAN-AE-20
Agriculture
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says his administration will give priority to agriculture because of its multiplier effects on the economy.

He said this on Thursday in Ibadan at a town hall meeting organised by the state government at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had launched an agricultural initiative tagged, “Agric Oyo, ” to boost Internally Generated Revenue and provide employment opportunities.

Ajimobi said that the priority of government and the citizenry should be on addressing the current economic challenges bedevilling the nation.

He said that the economic challenges of the country required rethinking, re-strategising and diversification.

“We have comparative advantage in agriculture and we must revive the sector for the benefit of our dear state.

“Our landmass in the state is up to 30,000 square kilometre, which makes it the biggest in the whole of southern Nigeria. We are the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria.

“We have travelled round the world to woo investors. At our last visit to China, some investors had assured us of buying cassava from us in large quantities.

“We have the human capital, we have the land and the state is strategically positioned. We are appealing to our traditional rulers to give them land,” he said.

“` The problem in this country and Oyo State in particular is attitudinal change. We must all embrace positive attitude in all we do.

“There is no reason for Oyo State not to be the most industrialised in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Ajimobi stated that the town hall meeting to be held every three months was to allow government and the public to interact and share ideas on how to move the state forward.

He urged the people not to default on their obligations, citing regular payment of taxes and strong respect for the laws of the land as being among these.

NAN reports that the event was attended by Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor, Mr Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Justice Samson Akinteye, who represented the Chief Judge of the state and Sen. Fatai Buhari.

Others are Alhaji Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government and Dr Gbade Ojo, the Chief of Staff to the Governor.(NAN)
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(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Mufutau Ojo)

Ex minister wants  FG  to approve special fund for research, innovation  development

NAN-HE-29

Research

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) A former Minster of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the creation of a special fund for the development of research and innovation in the country.

Isoun made the call at the Distinguished Research Seminar and International Institute for Training, Research and Economic Development (IITRED) awards in Abuja on Thursday.

He also called on the president to float an executive bill requesting  the National Assembly to enact a law to regulate the utilisation of the fund when created.

He said that the creation of the research fund would amount to creating wealth for the nation, noting that wealth creation entailed technology innovation and development.

Isoun said that the development of the economy through agriculture and other sectors was hinged on the quality of research and innovation carried out by Nigerian researchers and scientists.

He said research on science , technology and agriculture was crucial  to driving  economic potentials in the country.

According to the professor, it is research, innovation that engender development of advanced countries, noting that Nigeria  cannot be an exception in developing  research and innovation to drive economic growth.

He said the availability of funding for research purpose would engender the discovering of right and application of  knowledge  for massive development of  science technology.

“It is research, innovation that will make a difference, the  ICT  revolution now contributes  significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.“

Isoun explained further that the private sector was at a vintage position to drive research development, noting that research and innovation were individually driven in any part of the world.

He, however, said it was the responsibility of governments all over the world  to provide necessary support through funding  of the research endeavours.

He said no nation could make progress without the application of research , training and entrepreneurship .

The President of IITRED, Dr Sani Dawop, said the significance of agricultural research  and innovation could not be over emphasised.

He said that IITRED was promoting research to develop raw materials needed to promote economic development in the country.

He said that  the  winning entry of IITRED agricultural research  price  was a research  on  production of  and packaging of  Kenaf in Nigeria .

He said the development of Kenaf (Rama), which when fully commercilised, could save Nigeria N24 billion in foreign exchange.

The former minister said  multi-dimensional, institutional  and multi-faceted approach  was  required to  effectively drive research innovation  and development in Nigeria.

According to him, the right time for Nigeria to move  into industrialisation through  commercialisation  of research  was now.

The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN ) reports that high point of the event was a presentation on the  seminar  topic “Creating Youth Employment in Nigeria through Agriculture”.

Other highlights of the event include the presentation of award to the 2016  IITRED research winner, Dr  Morufat Balogun  of the  University of Ibadan .

She was selected for the  research award for her agricultural research on “Kenaf as source of raw materials for packaging grains and as absorbent material in managing oil spills“.

Other awards went to Dangote Sugar and NASCO foods limited. (NAN)

KC/EAL/IA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-S-17

Fund
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, on Thursday endorsed the Nigeria Olympics Fund Icon to give the group the right to source for fund to develop sports in Nigeria.

Dalung, while endorsing the icon in Abuja, said the only way to grow sports in Nigeria was through private sector involvement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Olympics Fund Project is an initiative targeted at over 16 million Nigerians contributing at least N100 to the fund.

Dalung said the event was historic as it marks one of the steps to reposition the sports sector in Nigeria.

“I want to ensure that I hand over a sports sector that is private sector-driven. Today, we are witnessing private sector mobilisation of funds for sports development.

“In Nigeria, sports is funded 99 per cent by the government and this is a burden too heavy for the government to carry in the face of economy recession.

“Having projects like this is the only way to go to make sports survive in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Nigeria Olympics Fund Project, Mary Onyali, said the project would create, grow and nurture athletes for the 2020 Olympics.

She said Nigeria has talents but they needed to be harnessed from the grassroots.

Onyali said going back to the grassroots informed the group’s decision of embarking on community projects.

“Sports is capital intensive and government alone cannot fund sports.

“That is why we decided to use the Nigeria Olympics Fund in partnership with the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), with the permission of the ministry to raise funds.

“That will help us get 90 targeted elite athletes for the 2020 Olympics so as to get medals for Nigeria, not minding the colour.

“We have decided to be the change agent for these athletes, stop the defection, find the talents, groom them, advise them and show them the right path,’’ she said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

I remain APC spokesman until court says otherwise-Timi Frank

NAN-H-100

Frank

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank on Thursday in Abuja, says that he remains the authentic spokesman.

Frank who, is presently at logger ahead with the party`s leadership, stated this in a statement he signed on Thursday in Abuja.

Frank was reacting to the APC Zonal Congress meeting that nominated former Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, as the party`s spokesperson to replace its former National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammad.

He said that though he was not against Abdullahi as a person, but that the process to become an authentic spokesman should be followed.

“I want to congratulate Bolaji Abdullahi for his nomination.
“But he should know that this matter is still in court and until the court says otherwise, I am still the authentic acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC.

“I will wait patiently for the party leadership to convene a national convention and ratify Bolaji’s nomination as the substantive National Publicity Secretary.

‘’But until then, I, Timi Frank remain acting Publicity Secretary of APC’’.

He added that he would challenge the party`s leadership if the party goes against the court order.

He maintained that it was only a national convention that could produce a national officer according to the party`s constitution. (NAN)

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Edited by Dada Ahmed
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NAN-H-98

Diaspora

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has said it would support “any’’ mechanism to ensure the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in future elections.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama said this at a seminar on the validation of proposed “National Policy on Diaspora Matters’’ in Abuja on Thursday.

Onyeama was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

The minister said there was the need to promote the capacity of Nigerians abroad to achieve the “immense potential of the diaspora’’.

He added that enhanced inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the voting process would support their contributions to national development.

“This is for the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

“In addition, the empowerment of Nigerians in the Diaspora as change agents for national development should be speedily scaled up.

“On our part, we deeply support any mechanism for the inclusion of Nigerian Diaspora to participate in future elections,’’ he said.

He urged that the challenges impeding the effectiveness of Nigerians abroad should be considered.

“Many of them (Diaspora) are deeply concerned about the situation in the country and have critical skills and potential that could be harnessed to solving Nigeria’s sociology-economic challenges.

“What has been lacking is the mechanism of effective engagement and interface with the government, with a view to ensuring that our country reaps fully the benefits of this engagement.

“The ministry is therefore sharpening its in-house resources to effectively harness the potential of Nigerians wherever they are based.’’

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu said that the committee was in touch with the Independent National Electoral Committee on Diaspora voting.

Sunmonu added that efforts were being made by the committee to promote opportunities for Nigerians abroad to participate in future elections.

She reiterated that Nigerians had “huge potential, if properly harnessed would contribute to the development of the country’’.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised the need to strengthen the diaspora policy.

Dabiri-Erewa said that the development of a viable policy would address the concerns of Nigerians abroad.

“We cannot ignore our diaspora; when Ireland went into recession they reached out to their diaspora community and one thousand of them saved the country from recession.

“Now that Nigeria is going through challenges, we cannot have this enormous human resource and not engage with them.

“We are working on the diaspora policy today; with the document, we have identified a few challenges impeding the effective contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora.

“We do not have an accurate database of Nigerians in the diaspora; there is the lack of an enabling environment, bilateral agreements on avoidance of double taxation, and integrated framework for Nigerians in the diaspora.

“Let us have a policy that we will be proud of.’’

She said that a technical committee would be set up to work on the recommendations agreed on and come up with an action plan for implementation.

Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised that the passing into law of the Diaspora Commission Bill would facilitate the realisation of a commission that would address diaspora matters.

“The eighth assembly has taken it up, the house has passed it, we are waiting on the Senate to pass it and it has assured that it will pass.

“It is going to be a one-stop agency to deal with diaspora matters, domiciled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ she said. (NAN)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Ese E. Ekama

NAN-HG-28
Destruction
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Dec 1, 2016 (NAN) The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday in Ilorin destroyed counterfeit medicines and other unwholesome products worth N30 million.

Speaking at the destruction site, the Acting Director General of the Agency, Mrs Yetunde Oni, said the periodic exercise was proof that NAFDAC was not relenting in efforts to remove unwholesome products from the markets and streets.

Oni, in a speech delivered by the Kwara Coordinator of the Agency, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, expressed optimism that the organisation would in the near future have nothing to destroy.

She said this was because the agency was working toward ensuring availability of good quality, efficacious, safe and affordable medicines and wholesome regulated products to the populace.

“This periodic exercise further gives credence to the fact that the NAFDAC is waging war against persons and organisations involved in counterfeiting regulated products.

“We will continue to work relentlessly to ensure that the incidence of counterfeit medicines is curtailed to the minimum level,’’ Oni said.

The NAFDAC boss noted that the destroyed products were voluntarily submitted to the agency by various governmental and non-governmental organisations.

In his speech, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara commended the agency for safeguarding public health by ensuring that unwholesome products were eradicated from the society.

Ahmed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Dr Afolabi Adesola, asserted that the presence of mobile testing laboratory by NAFDAC would curb counterfeit medicines and products in the country.

The governor pledged the support of his government to the agency in efforts aimed at eradicating fake products.(NAN)
AUO/ORO/OJO
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(Edited by Razak Owolabi/Mufutau Ojo)