Blog

NAN-DS-7

Inward

By Angela Atabo‎‎

Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged Nigerians to look inward and become more innovative in the use of local resources.

Buhari made the call at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Research and Development Competition and Exhibition in Kaduna.
Represented by Mr Danjuma Sheni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Buhari commended NAF for harnessing the available research and development potentials especially in the military aviation sector.
“I have been a keen admirer of the NAF, having been following the great stride it has been attaining as a service.
“I recall NAF in collaboration with an indigenous firm produced a set of air craft for the primary training of its pilots, the more recent being the design and production of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
”The overhaul of the brake assembly of one of the fighter aircraft in collaboration with an indigenous company Innoson is commendable. Without any doubt, such research will be of use to the nation.”
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Buhari said the research arm of NAF also developed an operational unmanned aircraft vehicle which currently undergoing series of test flights.
This he said renewed the hope that with determination and the right leadership, NAF could achieve much.
“I strongly believe that if we can harness our efforts as a nation, there is no challenge that we cannot surmount.’’
He urged stakeholders to embark on fruitful collaborations and joint partnerships to fund more research.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, represented by Sen.Aliyu Wakili,  said Nigeria  could only carve a name internationally by investing heavily in research and basic technology.
Saraki said Nigeria must maximise the application of the cutting edge designs.
“We must begin to look inward in order to provide funding for these ideas that can help us address our current security challenges and advance our military technology.
“We must seek them out in our people by providing them with the platform to grow.”
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He reiterated the senate’s support to NAF; adding that the senate through passage of laws would encourage local content in Nigeria.
He said just last week the senate pushed Nigeria forward to join the rest of the world with research institutes through passage of the air force institute of technology bill.
Saraki said with this framework in place, local content and research by NAF would be built on and developed.
He said the exhibition of NAF’s innovations had proved that Nigeria had ample potential hence the need to invest in maximising the value of local content development.‎

Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff said the event was organised to buttress the President’s plan of re-professionalising the Nigerian Armed forces and to promote local content. ‎

Abubakar said ‎there had been collaborations between NAF and academic community and other stakeholders as part of efforts toward creating synergy for technological development of the nation.

He said the aim was to develop its operational and technological capacities while gradually reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign products and equipment.

He said that this was what initiated this year’s theme ”Developing Civil-Military Research Programmes toward Enhanced National Development”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

reports that the event witnessed the exhibition of locally made military equipment. ‎(NAN)

ATAB/‎AK/IEA

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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-AE-4
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Wednesday.

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

It added that isolated thundery activities would prevail over Lokoja and Makurdi during with day and night temperatures of 30 to 36 degrees Celsius and 13 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

The agency predicted that the southern states will experience cloudy to partly cloudy morning with day and Night temperature of 32 to 35 degrees Celsius and 21 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

It also predicted isolated thunderstorms over high ground areas of Oshogbo, Akure, Ado-Ekiti, Enugu and Awka as well as coastal cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Eket during evening and night hours.

According to NiMet, northern states will experience sunny and hazy conditions in good horizontal visibility over Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri and Nguru during the forecast period.

“The region will also have day and night time temperatures of 35 to 39 degrees Celsius and 15 to 22 degrees Celsius respectively.

“Sunny and hazy conditions is anticipated over the northern cities, partly cloudy over central areas and possibilities of localized thunderstorms over the southern cities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/AK/HA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-ELS-9
Film
By Justina David Auta
Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Chief Executive Officer of 2-ET Media Network, Mr Emmanuel Eyaba, said the organisation would select persons from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the FCT to be trained in acting and singing.

Eyaba, who is also a film producer and member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, the media network, under its programme called “Unleash Your Creativity”, planned to train youths in IDPs camps
to reduce restiveness, drug abuse, prostitution and other vices.

He explained that “Unleash Your Creativity is a reality show designed to empower African youths through film making.’’

He said that 60 young African film makers would be camped for 14 days to train young artists on the science and art of film making.

He added that the young artists would be categorised into three to make three short films and the group that emerged winner would be empowered to shoot a big budget project on the plight of IDPs.

“ Nigeria has been plagued by incessant calamities ranging from bombings, kidnappings and hunger and families have been displaced from their homes and separated from their loved ones.’’

Eyaba said “this abnormality has reduced the self-esteem of several young people who only exist by the benevolence of government, some NGOs and good spirited individuals, hence the need for the training.”

The film producer said that the media outfit would visit three IDPs camps in the FCT and conduct auditions for those that have flare for singing and acting, so that they would the reality show from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17.

“ The show will focus on the plight of IDPs in Nigeria, as well as entertainment as an effective tool for the rehabilitation and reintegration of
IDPs into the society.” (NAN)
JAD/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

TalkStuff.com to be unveiled  in Nigeria

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TalkStuff

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) A new social media platform, TalkStuff.com is set to hit the Nigerian social network scene with an official launch on Dec. 8 in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ms. Rachel Ogbonna, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the platform.

Ogbonna said that TalkStuff will be a better choice that will be more appealing for the Nigerian business owners and provide value for regular users.

She said that TalkStuff will bring Nigerian social media users closer to their friends, families, and communities.

She said that it will also ensure that businesses reached their target audience without any frills and at an acceptable cost to the Nigerian business men/women.

Ogbonna said TalkStuff market share will comprise personal users, business users, groups, and communities who want all the features of several networks in one powerful and versatile social platform.

“TalkStuff will be combining all the amazing features of several social networks into one.

“We are not looking to replace Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other social media network. We are simply going to grab our market share”, she added.

Ogbonna said she was optimistic that TalkStuff was going to be a success, despite the steady slide into an economic recession.

She said the need for the average Nigerian to communicate and interact on social platforms has not dissipated.

She said that rather, majority of Nigerians will now find solace in the online communities they are connected to and look forward to the few moments of escape offered by these platforms.

The promoters of the platform, she said, were excited to float the social network in Nigeria because of the interest of the present administration in the development of local content.

She explained that the development of local content was a way of diversifying the economy and bringing foreign investments into the country.

“With the current high foreign exchange rate, it has become vital that all products and services being provided to Nigerian users and businesses be mostly home-grown solutions.

“TalkStuff will be a platform where people of all ages, social status, and interests will meet up to discuss issues that interest them.

“The content will be mostly user-generated and will serve as the main form of engagement for current and prospective users”, she said.

She said the platform will be affordable to all strata of the Nigerian society and users will have access to information that they need in a simplified setting

Also businesses will have access to their target audience easily at more affordable rates.

She said that “a robust website, iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry apps will be used to achieve our mission. The vision of these web applications is to get Africa talking.’’

She listed those expected at the event to include the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, members of ICT and Communications Committees in the two chambers of the National Assembly and other major stakeholders in the ICT sector. (NAN)

COA/AK/IEA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata

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Police
Dutse, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The police in Jigawa said it would launch its Public Complaint Rapid Response (PCRR) unit on
Dec. 1.

The information is in a statement by the command’s Spokesman, SP Abdu Jinjiri on Tuesday in Dutse.

Jinjiri stated that the unit would be responsible for receiving and resolving complaints of police professional misconduct emanating from
policing activities and operations.

He noted that the unit would be available for 24 hours to listen to the public from across Nigeria.

According to him, the PCRR unit has provided seven different platforms through which the public can reach it.

He listed the platforms as phone calls, Short Message Service (SMS), WhatsApp, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM Pin), Twitter and Email.

He then advised the public to use the platforms to lodge their complaints against any policeman in the country.

Jinjiri added that after the launch, the command would distribute flyers printed in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages, as well as Pidgin English at strategic places across the state. (NAN)
MNB/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-91

Visibility

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, has called on the management of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to make its activities visible to Nigerians.

Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Chairman of the committee, made the call during an oversight visit to the commission by members of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

Anyanwu, who said the activities of PCC were not known to members of the public, urged the management to embrace the use of modern technology in its operations.

He said PCC was among the veritable commissions in the country that deserved adequate attention considering the nature of petitions it received from members of the public.

“The Public Complaints Commission is a very important commission that is helping government to ensure peace and stability in the country.

“Most of the complaints handled in this commission are such that if not adequately resolved could result to national security problem.

“So, I think it is a commission that must be properly attended to by the Federal Government”, he said.

He said the virement approved for the commission was to augment its 2016 budget because it was not able to pay its staff salaries.

“By my understanding, they have a wage bill of over N4 billion and what they were given for 2016 was just N2 billion.

“That was why they seemed to have some crisis but what they have gotten now will help to cushion the effect of the discrepancy in the 2016 budget”, he added.

The committee chairman expressed dismay over the state of infrastructure at the commission’s headquarters and called for more funding to enable it deliver on its mandate.

Mr Emmanuel Ogbile, the Chief Commissioner of PCC, urged the committee members to support the commission to ensure that the challenges it faced in 2016 were not repeated.

He said the commission was established to serve the interest of Nigerians particularly the downtrodden.

“What we intend to do is to make ourselves a little more visible to enable Nigerians know that we are here to serve them.

“We also intend to let Nigerians know the process to log on to PCC to get redress in terms of administrative injustice”, he said. (NAN)

IMC/AK/IEA

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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-DS-5

Bandits

By Ismaila Chafe

Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara on Tuesday in Abuja briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the security situation in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 155 people were killed and 40 others kidnapped  within the last three months when bandits invaded some villages in Zamfara State.

The kidnapped persons were, however, later rescued following a negotiation between the state government and the kidnappers.

Yari, who spoke to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, commended the President for promptly deploying security agents to the state to address the security challenges.

Cue in audio (Yari)

“I am here to brief him (President Buhari) on the security situation in the state. The operation is ongoing and is going on successfully.

“I am rushing back there so that the GOC and myself will visit the troops that are on ground in order to boost their morale.

“We will be with them throughout the week. In this kind of situation, you have to be with the people in order to show them that you are concerned as a leader.

“I believe the troops and other security agencies are doing their best and we will continue as government to give them the support needed to make the operation successful.’’

Cue out audio (Yari)

The governor expressed the hope that the military would remain in the state for longer time, assuring that the state government would continue to take care of their logistics.

“The problem we have is that the state is surrounded by forests. The military men there are currently in about six camps. We hope they will stay there for a while,’’ he stated.

Yari dismissed social media reports that compensation was paid before the release of the 40 people kidnapped by the bandits in Maru Local Government area of the state.

He said: “We thank God that the 40 people are back with their families. We have rescued them from their abductors and we have returned them to their families without any injury.

“We also did not pay any ransom.’’(NAN)

SYC/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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Lawmaker seeks FG’s assistance on road network in Karu LG.

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Development

Karu(Nasarawa State) Nov.29, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Hashimu Jibrin, member representing Karu/Gitata constituency in Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has appealed to the Federal Government to construction good road networks in the area.

Jibrin, also Chairman, House Committee on Land and Urban Development, made the appeal on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the construction of the road network will improve the standard of living of the people in the area..

“As a representative of my people, I appreciate Gov.Al-Makura for developing Karu by siting an International Market and construction of roads among others that have direct bearing on the people of the area.

“Gov.Al-Makura has done well in transforming the state; the infrastructure transformation across the state is the good hand work of Gov. Al-Makura towards improving on the standard of living of the people.

“But I want to appeal to the Federal Government to assist my people to construct road networks within Karu area due to increasing population of the place.

“Also about 80 percent of civil servants working in Abuja are residing in Karu.

According to him, Al-Makura has transformed all sectors of the economy, especially in the area of infrastructure development, agriculture, commerce, among others, hence the need for the Federal Government to complement its efforts of developing Karu.

He urged his constituents and Nigerians to be law abiding and live in peace, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious affiliation for the overall development of the country.(NAN)

BAB/GOM/IA
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-ELS-8

Economy

By Justina David Auta

Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says tourism is a major asset to Nigeria’s quest to becoming one of the twenty largest economies in the world by year 2020.

Mohammed made this known during a two-day Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).

The forum is being organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in Abuja on Monday.

“Tourism industry generally is assuming increasing importance in most countries of the world because of its many facets which serve as tools for economic recovery, diversification and development.

“It enhances women’s economic opportunities, promotes their effective control over resources and offers safe spaces for women and girls to develop, support networks and life skills,’’ he added.

The minister also emphasised on the role tourism sector plays in job creation, promoting traditional cottage industries, tourists’ attractions, as well as promoting the lifestyle and heritage of the people.

“As countries are battling to overcome the adverse effects of crisis resulting from severe recession and worsening economic conditions, tourism could be one of the pillars, which if properly supported by government globally, could stimulate economic recovery, development and brighter tomorrow for all,’’ he said.

Mohammed also disclosed that the tourism sector had also been included in the government’s economy recovery and growth plan to lift the creative industries in the country.

“In this regard, there are two key initiatives. The first is the initiative to grow the tourism industry through improved security and a strong value proposition that include security to encourage domestic and international mobility, the review of existing tourism legislation.

“To eliminate overlapping functions among agencies regulating the industry, the strengthening of the Nigerian Tourism Development through better funding and capacity building, promotion of a national calendar of festivals.

“And the launch of an awareness campaign within and outside Nigeria and promotion of the building of world class hotels and conference centres.’’

According to him, the initiative would also include the need to support creative industries by encouraging the development of a special funding window for the industry, provision of incentives for private sector investment and strengthening intellectual property rights regime.

The representative of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Free Movement, Trade and Toursim, Mrs Stella Drabo urged members of ECOWAS state to develop common views and policy on tourism in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Drabo also stressed the need for development of the tourism framework that would ensure better regulation and competition among member states, as well as ensure active participation of the private sector in drafting of the tourism development plans.

She also called for a review of the regulations for classification of hotels in the country, as the existing ones were obsolete.

The President of FTAN, Mr Tomi Akingbogun said the forum was aimed at creating a platform for stakeholders to fashion ways that would promote tourism as well as enable artists exhibit their wares.

Akingbogun said the association was working towards improving the nation’s economy in spite of the economic recession bedeviling the nation, urging more investors to also contribute towards revamping the sector.

He, therefore, stressed the need for the government to continue to support and patronise authentic cultural practioners in order to promote the tourism sector as well as for posterity sake.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, FTAN, Mr Samuel Alabi also tasked participants to contribute immensely towards revamping the tourism sector towards the development of the country.

Alabi also appealed to Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products for the growth and development of the nation, as well as encourage other foreign investors to tap into the abundant resources available.  (NAN)

JAD/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-86

March

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Troops of the Nigerian Army serving in Abuja are scheduled to hold their monthly route march on Friday Dec. 2  between 6.a.m. and 8.a.m.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Capt. MN Ja’Afaru Ja’Afaru, Army Headquarters Garrison, explained that the exercise was part of its routine training.

He said the route for the exercise will be from Aguyi Ironsi Cantonment-Niger Barrack-Mambilla Barracks and back to Aguyi Ironsi Cantonment.

“The exercise, which is mandatory for all personnel of the Nigerian Army serving in FCT, is aimed at testing the physical fitness and endurance of troops.

“The general public, especially those residing in Abuja and environs, are advised not to panic over troop’s movement.

“Members of the public are therefore requested to continue with their normal legitimate activities during the exercise.’’ (NAN)

COA/IEA
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Edited by Idahosa Asowata