Blog

NAN-H-97

APC

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The North-Central geo-political zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has through a voice vote unanimously nominated former Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, for the position of National Publicity Secretary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a delegation that comprised Governors of Plateau and Niger among others conducted the exercise.

The Deputy Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki, nominated the former minister, while Sen. Abdullahi from Niger North Senatorial Zone seconded the nomination before his confirmation through a voice vote.

Reacting to his nomination, Abdullahi said he would do everything possible to endear the party to the minds of Nigerians, if ratified by the national executive council of the party.

He commended Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, who was the National Publicity Secretary of the party for doing very well for the party.

Abduallhi noted that with delight that Mohammed saved the party when it was in the opposition.

He expressed the confidence in his ability to occupy the office and perform to the expectation of the party and Nigerians, if ratified.

“I have fair understanding of what I am expected to do, even though you never know until you really get there.

“ What I can assure is that I will do the best I can, not only in the improvement of our party but also in contributing to the progress of this country, especially at this challenging period.

“We have to continue to weather the storm, especially now that I am brought in to be part of the process.

“All I can reassure is that, I will give the best I can to ensure that we continue to move forward,” he said.

The nominee assured the zone that he would do everything possible to strengthen and improve the party`s fortune.

“We are aware of the difficult situation we are going through in the country, but we will continue to engage the people of Nigeria.’’ (NAN).

EEM/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed

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Nasarawa State Govt. to spend N588.8m on township roads

NAN-H-96

Roads

Garaku (Nasarawa State) Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government says it will spend about N588.8 million to construct the three kilometres Garaku township roads in Kokona Local Government area of the state.

The Managing Director, Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), Alhaji Adamu Sule-ohammed, disclosed this on Thursday in Garaku when the state House of Assembly Committee on NUDB and Town Planning visited the project site in Garaku.

Sule-Mohammed said the road would improve the standard of living of the people of the area.

He commended the contractor for good quality work, adding that the completion of the road would reduce the hardship of the people and  those plying the it.

“We are all aware that the importance of embarking on the construction of roads and bridges by any government cannot be over-emphasised.

“Apart from boosting the socio-economic development and the revenue base of the state, it will also help in reducing the plight of the people.

“This is why the state government has decided to embark on road construction across the state in order to fight poverty, youth restiveness and unemployment.

“I want to disclose to you that the construction of three kilometre Garaku township roads will cost the state government about N N588.8 million and already N88.3 million has been paid to the contractor,’’  the managing director said.

He said government was committed to initiating projects that would touch the lives of residents of the state for the overall development of the country.

Earlier, Mr Suleiman Alhassan (APC-Uke/Karshi), the Chairman, House Committee on NUDB and Town Planning, said the oversight visit would enable the committee to assess the 2016 budget performance of the organisation.

Alhassan, who spoke through the Majority Leader of the House, Umar Tunga (APC-Awe North) said “we are here to see by ourselves what the board has done with the funds allocated to it in the 2016 budget’’.

He commended the state government and the contractor for the quality work done and called for its sustenance. (NAN)

BAB/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-94
Workers
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Aggrieved workers of Julius Berger residing at Berger Camp, Kubwa, on Thursday, chased out a team of security personnel sent by the management of the company to disconnect utility services in the camp.

Mr Kenneth Ekekwem, one of the leaders of the workers, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the security team was led by Mr Ojo Samuel, Security Supervisor in Julius Berger.

He said that Samuel drove into the camp at 8 a.m. in a white Golf Julius Berger car (JB B2741) to remove electrical installation including refuse bins used by workers living in the camp.

Ekekwem told NAN that representatives of the workers on Wednesday met with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition Committee.

“We went there to defend the petition we sent to the committee; the management of Julius Berger was also there.

“The committee ordered that Julius Berger should stay action on its plan to eject the workers today (Thursday).

“It also ordered Julius Berger to cancel whatever action it intended to carry out today; members of the committee say they will visit the camp by 12 noon on Monday next week.

“The committee directed that the Managing Director of Julius Berger should also be at the camp.

“The committee said it will look into conditions in the camp and condition of the workers residing in the camp.’’

Ekekwem told NAN that the workers were shocked when they saw  a crane belonging to the company, a refuse van and two articulated vehicles drove into the camp as early as 8 a.m. on Thursday.

“The vehicles were driven to the Generator House to disconnect and remove electric parts including transformers.

“One of the transformers was donated by Bwari Area Council, but Julius Berger management refused to connect it for our use.

“The transformer currently in use in the camp was bought by the workers who contributed N5, 000 each,’’ he said, adding that the workers mobilised and chased the drivers and their vehicles from the camp.

Ekekwem said that when the workers prevented Samuel and his team from cutting off their electricity supply, he went to the Nigeria Police Mobile Unit to report that they was riot at the camp.

“Officers of the Mobile Police immediately rushed to the camp battle ready, but they met us sitting peacefully.

“We told them we are not rioting but fighting for our right; they left and urged us to remain peaceful.

“We called and informed Mr Musa Dikko, the Bwari Area Council, who immediately dispatched the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his team to the camp.

“We told the DPO and his team what transpired and they also urged us to remain calm and peaceful,’’ Ekekwem added.

NAN recalls that in 1999 the management of Julius Berger sacked 7,200 workers without paying them their terminal benefits.

On June 16, this year, the Coordinating Secretary of the workers, Mr Sunday Gbangbala, told NAN that the workers approached an Abuja High Court which gave judgment in their favour.

Gbangbala added that dissatisfied with the judgment of the High Court, the management of Julius Berger approached the Court of Appeal and also lost the case.

“The matter is already at the Supreme Court which is yet to deliver its judgment.

“On June 13, 2016, Julius Berger approached a Wuse Magistrates’ Court to evict us from our apartments, but the court ordered the company to maintain the status quo,’’ Gbangbala said.

On Nov. 23 a delegation of the workers visited the chairman, National Human Right Commission to file a petition.

Their visit coincided with the visit of members of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights to the commission.

Mr Edward Pwajok, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, promised that his committee would investigate the issues raised by the protesters.

“It is not proper for people to treat Nigerian workers in our country anyhow; we will ensure there is justice in this matter.

“We came here to see what the commission is doing and coincidentally met this issue of foreign companies treating Nigerians with impunity.

“Thank God we are in a democracy; we will fight this cause on your behalf; I urge you to remain law abiding Nigerians.

“You are here to seek redress and redress you shall get,” Pwajok assured. (NAN)

KM/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-94
Policy
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government on Thursday launched its Schools Governing Board (SGB) initiative, saying it will help improve the standard of education in the state.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi launched the new initiative in Ibadan at a town hall meeting
held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.

Ajimobi said the state government would not relent in its efforts at repositioning the education sector of the state.

He stressed that there was need to address the poor performance of students in external examinations through strong education reforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that secondary school students in the state had on June 6 protested the public/private participatory management of schools policy of the state government.

NAN reports that the students had carried out the protest following speculations that the policy was intended to sell their schools.

The governor said that the SGB model of school management was recommended by the Education Reform Committee headed by Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

“The poor performance of the students necessitated the introduction of “no automatic promotion” policy in schools.

“ Some people razed down school buildings in protest against the policy.

“Let me stress it here that government will not go back on this policy.

“ I also want to assure you that the six schools shut down in respect of the destruction will not be re-opened unless they are rebuilt by their parents,” he said.

Ajimobi said that the policy would take effect from the next academic session, saying that
LAUTECH would be re-opened as soon as the visitation panel to the institution submitted its report.

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, said the SGB model of management for schools would be in two categories and aimed at repositioning the schools.

Olowofela said that the SGB would be responsible for the management of the schools, improve quality of school programmes and boost efficiency of teachers.

“ The second category of the SGB will be responsible for the improvement of school infrastructure and environments and ensure increased participation of parents and communities.

“It will ensure provision of basic teaching and learning resources, effective management of schools, create accountability mechanisms for improved quality and efficiency for schools and raising students’ achievement level,” he said.

NAN reports that the first SGB board would comprise two representatives of lead stakeholders, the head boy or girl of the schools, Local Inspector of Education while the school principal would serve as secretary.

Others in the first category, he said, would be accredited representatives of Parent Teachers Association, Old Students’ Association, Local Government Council/LCDA and a non-partisan community leader.

The second category would comprise accredited representatives of Parent Teachers Association, Old Students’ Association, Local Government Council/LCDA and a non-partisan community leader.

Others are the head boy or girl of the school, Local Inspector of Education, the school principal to serve as the secretary and two identified philanthropists.

Also speaking, Mrs Bisi Alli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, said government would ensure in-service training of teachers.

She stated that the efforts of the government on education would be fruitful with the support of stakeholders.

“The future lies in the ability of the state government to give the children sound education and in the cooperation of relevant stakeholders,” she said.

Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the President-General, Nigeria Supporters Club and old student of Okebadan High School, urged the people to support the new education policy.

Ladipo, who is the President, Okebadan High School Old Students’ Association, commended the state government for the initiative.

Mr Bayo Saka, the representative of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), commended the government and called for more in-service training of teachers.

NAN reports that the event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers and heads of tertiary institutions and students.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-91

Road

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Kontagora (Niger), Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Niger, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa, on Thursday lauded the Federal Government for the ongoing reconstruction of Kontagora-Sokoto federal road.

Isa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kontagora that “we are feeling the dividends of the change we voted for”.

He said that the project would enhance socio-economic activities in the area .

He explained that the road had significant impact on the lives of people of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states.

He called on the Federal Government to resumed work on the Ilorin to Kaduna road.

Isa said the road would boost commercial activities and create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the area. (NAN)
AAG/IS/DS/IA

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/Idris Abdulrahman

Take medication, shun religious indoctrination – Institute tells HIV patients

NAN-HG-9
AIDS
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Dr Anthony Okwuosah, the Director of Community Medicine, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), on Thursday advised HIV patients to take their medication in spite of their religious beliefs.

Okwuosah said this during the awareness and health talk on the commemoration of the 2016 World AIDS Day, organised by IHVN in Abuja.

“Many HIV and AIDS patients have abandoned their medication as instructed by some religious bodies, having told them that they have been healed through their consistent prayers, faith and others.

“If they stop their drugs, the disease could get worse and the patient could build resistance to the drugs.

“For the HIV and AIDS patients to stay alive, they need to continually take their medication as it is not the end of the world,’’ he said.

Okwuosah said more still need to be done in the area of awareness of the HIV and AIDS as many are still finding it difficult to come out for testing.

He said to stop the epidemic of the disease, every Nigerian need to know their HIV and AIDS status.

“Child to mother transmission to HIV and AIDS had reduced compared to before as there are more enlightenment in various hospitals,’’ he said.

Okwuosah said there were a lot of vaccines trials to cure the disease but the potency of such medicines have not been certified.

The Associate Director of IHVN, Mrs Asabe Gomwalk, said with the anti-stigma law in place, many HIV and AIDS patients are more informed of their rights.

“We are working with states implementing partners to ensure everyone know what the law says and the proper guidelines.

“Taking AIDS out of isolation remains an imperative, if the world is to reach the 2020 target,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World AIDS Day is declared as a global observance event to raise public awareness on the scourge.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also issued new guidelines on HIV self-testing to help with the diagnosis of the deadly disease.

The initiative by the UN health organisation aims at helping millions of people to know their HIV status and get the right treatment.

According to the latest WHO progress report, “lack of HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the organisation’s recommendation’’, which says that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy. (NAN)
OEO/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-S-6
Coach
Montreal, Dec. 1, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Canada’s world tennis number three, Milos Raonic, has parted ways with his coach, Carlos Moya, after the Spaniard guided the big-serving right-hander through his best season on the circuit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 1998 French Open winner joined Raonic’s coaching team in January.

Since then, he had helped the 25-year-old reach his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, and finished the campaign at a career-high ranking.

He has risen 11 places since the end of 2015.

The Canadian also amassed a personal best 52 victories in a season and won his eighth ATP World Tour title at Brisbane in January,

Raonic however acknowledged Moya for helping to maximise his potential.

The Canadian added that they would remain “close friends’’.

“Thank you to Carlos Moya for helping me tremendously this year, alongside my team, to get the best out of me,” Raonic said on Instagram.

“Under Carlos’s direction and tutelage, I have played my best yet to date. We will no longer be continuing our coaching relationship but remain close friends. I wish him all the best.’’

Raonic continues to be coached on a full-time basis by Italian Riccardo Piatti.

He had also sought the services of seven-time major winner John McEnroe ahead of the grass court season in May,

NAN recalls that Raonic had also worked with Croatian Ivan Ljubcic for more than two years before joining up with Moya. (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/OLAL
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)

NAN-HE-27
Budget
Damaturu, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Thursday presented a budget of N69.3 billion to the state House of Assembly for the 2017 fiscal year.

The budget tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Self reliance”, represents N19.5 billion or 22 per cent below the 2016 budget of N88.9 billion .

Gaidam said the budget was based on the economic realities of the country and the state.

He said the state was expecting N35.3 billion from statutory allocation, N3.8 billion from Internally Generated Revenue and N7.4 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT).

“Government intends to spend the sum of N27.407 billion or 39.5 per cent to cater for capital expenditure, while the sum of N41.9 billion or 60.5 per cent is earmarked for recurrent expenditure,” he said.

He said the state Ministry of Education had the highest sectoral allocation of N17.7 billion followed by the Ministry of Works with N10.7 billion and Ministry of Finance, N10.3 billion

Reviewing the 2016 budget, the governor said the sum of N49.8 billion was the actual receipt of revenue by government out of the N88.9 billion budget.

He appealed to the Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the budget so as to improve the lives of the people.

The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo, assured the governor that the bill would receive accelerated passage in the interest of the people.

“I also want to assure you that as anti-corruption ambassadors, the house will pass the bill without padding, we are not going to pad it,” Dala-Dogo assured. (NAN)
MM/OSA/AMY
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Abdullahi Yusuf
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NAN-HE-26

Transactions

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange market turnover in over-the-counter transactions between January to October, 2016 hits N90.45 trillion.

This is contained in a statistical data issued by the company and obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that this was against N119.92 trillion posted by the company in the comparative period of 2015.

NAN also reports that the amount included transactions in over-the-counter market for foreign exchange comprising of Treasury Bills (TBs), bonds and money market derivatives, among others.

An analysis of the transactions showed that TBs remained the most active, accounting for 38 per cent of the overall turnover followed by secured market transactions which accounted for 29 per cent.

It was followed by foreign exchange market transaction with 22 per cent of the turnover and FGN bonds accounted for eight per cent.

Unsecured placement and takings transacted three per cent of overall market turnover during the period under review.

The data also showed that 10 banks namely; United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Ecobank Nigeria were among the 10 top dealing members during the period under review.

Others are First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, First City Monument Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) and Standard Chartered.

The statistics stated that the 10 top dealing members accounted for 71 per cent of the overall turnover in the market, with the top three accounting for 28 per cent. (NAN)

JNC/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama