Blog

Media, only hope of democracy – Expert
NAN-H-28
Media
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) A media expert, Mr Wale Olayemi, has described the media as the only hope for the sustenance and promotion of democracy in the country.

The expert told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Osogbo that the display of professionalism in the practice of journalism makes freedom of expression the good that helps the people to benefit from other goods.

He emphasised the fundamental obligation of the press to the advancement and survival of democracy as a form of government.

He said the role of the media in a democratic environment was akin to that of a Referee on the pitch, who never partake in the game but moderate the activities of the players and the spectators alike.

“The only way freedom of expression in a democracy can serve as a good that brings about other goods is by displaying high level of professionalism by media practitioners.

“They are expected to play the role of neutrality and impartiality in the same vein a Referee discharges his duty on the pitch.

“Of course, the indispensability of the media contribution to the good of humanity continued to play out in the level of attention given to victims of the humanitarian catastrophe as a result of media coverage,’’ he stressed.

Olayemi added that the new media accommodates amalgam of arm-chair journalists, its unique benefit of speed and accuracy make it the best that has happened to the profession.

He enjoined journalists to actively make use of the social media objectively to keep the general public abreast of the happenings in the society. (NAN)
DOO/FAT/MST
Edited by Fatima Sule/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NLC says disunited labour, bane of minimum wage review
NAN-H-27
Wage
By Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has blamed the delay in securing an upward review of the national minimum wage on the disunity in the organised labour.

Wabba spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday on the prospects of getting a review of the existing N18,000 minimum wage for workers.

NAN reports that the present N18,000 national minimum wage was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2011.

“It is time to review the N18,000 minimum wage. If we had been united, this issue would have been resolved,’’ the NLC president said.

He said that since 2015, when the organised labour submitted a formal demand for the review of the minimum wage, no technical committee had been set up to look into the issue.

According to Wabba, the committee is to start the process of negotiations, where the concerned stakeholders will gather at a round table to drive the process.

“For the minimum wage to be reviewed, it has to be tripartite. The employers’ organisation will be present, government’s representatives and the organised labour,’’ he said.

The NLC president stressed that the current minimum wage could no longer sustain workers as the five-year cycle for review of workers income was due and the value of money had also depreciated.

He assured that there was hope of getting an increment in the minimum wage but added that workers must be ready to fight for their right.

“Everything that we have gotten as workers over the decades is through collective struggle. Government did not offer it on a platter of gold.

“These are the issues that have caused delay in resuming negotiation on review of new minimum wage for workers,’’ he said.

Wabba said that the Federal Government and labour could look at ways of implementing a new strategy for the new minimum wage with the economic recession not hindering the discussions.

“Labour is committed to driving the process of an increment in minimum wage for workers and we assure you that we will defend your interest.

“On the issue of recession, the NLC will soon arrive with an alternative to enable the government solve its economic problem,’’ the NLC president said. (NAN)
CHIN/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-
Award39
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will  honour Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, Trust Media Limited, at its 11^th Award for Investigative Reporting,  scheduled for Dec. 9.

Also to be honoured with the Lifetime award for Journalistic Excellence and Anti-Corruption Defender is the Public and Private Development Centre, (PPDC).

A statement by Motunrayo Alaka, Coordinator,WSCIJ, on Tuesday in Abuja said that the event would hold in Lagos.

Alaka said Yusuf was selected for the award because of his commitment to media excellence as evidenced in the operations of Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust, Weekly Trust and Sunday Trust.

She said the company was also being honoured for the uniqueness of its Hausa language Aminiya Newspaper and the company’s new pan-African magazine, Kilimanjaro.

She said that PPDC, an NGO established to increase the participation of citizens in governance, would be honoured for its advocacy for an open, truth and just society.

The WSCIJ coordinator said that the PPDC was also being honoured for its laudable work in ensuring open procurement system in Nigeria.

Alaka said that other finalists for different categories of the awards had also emerged, noting that winners would be unveiled at the award presentation ceremony.

According to her, the winning stories were shortlisted from 125 entries received by WSCIJ and judged by selected individuals of commendable character who excelled in various media fields.

According to her, winners will receive a cash prize with an award plaque.

“They will also have an opportunity to attend an all-expense-paid international study-tour in the coming year.

“All finalists will receive a certificate of commendation for a job well done,’’ Alaka said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony is held annually on Dec. 9 to acknowledge and encourage best practices in investigative journalism and lend support to the World Anti-Corruption Day. (NAN)
KC/AOS/IA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-12
Post-UTME
Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Olurotimi Ajayi, the Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun, on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to review its cancellation of the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (post-UTME).

Ajayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the cancellation of the Post-UTME and its subsequent replacement with screening might not help the university system.

The Federal Government had on June 1, scrapped the Post-UTME for candidates seeking admission into higher institutions.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said that there was no need for another examination to be conducted by universities after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.

“The whole idea of the Post-UTME examinations is not about money generation but about standards.

“Over time, the examinations have shown that intending students that claimed JAMB marks cannot defend those marks, which is not the fault of JAMB.

“Some of the students that had high JAMB scores cannot even pass a simple test conducted by the universities.

“The test is for the students to prove their ability, to repeat their feat at the JAMB examinations,’’ Ajayi said.

He said it was in the interest of institutions, students as well as the nation for the Federal Government to reverse its stance on the post-UTME.

The vice-chancellor added that the Post-UTME should be seen as a type of quality assurance on the part of universities.

Ajayi said the decision of the Federal Government to fix a price ceiling for the Post-UTME screening on behalf of all universities was high-handed.

According to him, the government’s price ceiling will have a ripple effect on private universities.

The vice-chancellor said that only universities funded by the government could sustain that ceiling.

“The government coming out to fix the price of our Post-UTME at just N2,500 seems high-handed because private universities are not receiving subventions from the government.

“Some of the parents sending their children to the private universities already know they will have to pay more than what is obtainable in the public universities.

“It is unseemly for universities to be controlled by the government, they are supposed to be governed and regulated by their councils.

“Although we will comply with the directive, but we are not very satisfied with it as it seems like a burden.’’

Ajayi said that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors were already looking at various ways to help the government realise the implications of its decisions on the nation’s university system.

He said the committee would soon make its stand on the plight of universities’ public. (NAN)
KOJE/COF/PDE
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Peter Ejiofor)

2 men in court for burglary, theft of N1.6m items

NAN-H-11

Burglary
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Two men, who allegedly burgled an apartment and stole items worth N1.6 million, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday.
The accused, Martins Ikemefuna (23) and Felix Trevor (24), are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and theft.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. Richard Odigie, the duo on Nov. 19 at about 4.30 a.m. conspired to burgle the apartment of one Philip Ogbuechi at Sangotedo, Lagos.
He said the accused entered the apartment through the window, while the occupants were away, and stole gold jewellery and two telephone handsets, valued at N1.6 million.
“The accused destroyed the window and entered the house and carted away items worth N1.6 million,’’ he said.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 285, 305 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs F.O. Ikobayo, granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case to Dec. 11 for hearing. (NAN)
TME/AIB/WOJ
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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-37

Suspension

Kafanchan (Kaduna), Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Following persistent attacks on villages bordering the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya by unknown gunmen, authorities of the institution have suspended academic activities indefinitely.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the college, Danlami Aduwu, said the suspension of academic activities was informed by the need to safeguard the lives and properties of staffers and students.

The statement directed staffers and students to vacate the campus.

It further urged all staffers to report to the temporary site of the institution at Kafanchan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all staffers and students of the college have since deserted the Gidan Waya campus in fear of losing their lives.

It will be recalled that villages surrounding the institution such as Godogodo, Pasakori, Mile One and Tudun Wada, were serially attacked by unknown gun men. (NAN)

MGK/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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Bitters can boost immune system, regulate stomach acidity – Experts

NAN-HG-6

Immunity

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) Medical experts in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, have said that bitters could boost the immune system and regulate stomach acidity.

However, the experts advised manufactures to improve on the hygienic of production of such drugs and herbs.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited some shops on Tuesday in Yenagoa gathered that bitters were selling and consumed in most public places of drinking in the city.

Some of the bitters include Action Bitter, washing and setting, baby-Oku, Skerewu, man-power, Swedish, Yoyo, Iguedo’s Gogo Cleanser as well as Chinese and India bitters.

Dr Luck Onuegbu, a gynaecologist in Ovom Community Health Centre, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, said that intake of bitter has nutritional value and it could also enhance fertility.

“Bitters are good to human body but we must be careful of what are being sold in the market this days; I know some bitters like Swedish and Yoyo, but with the influx of the unbranded ones today is worrisome.

“There are too many of them in the market but I can still remember Iguedo’s Gogo Cleanser and Yoyo bitters, they are good to human body.

“Bitters can regulate stomach acidity and manage blood sugar; it can also enhance fertility as well as combating inexplicable infertility in both man and woman.

“There is need to improve hygiene for production across the country and I must urge consumers to be using those that have been approved by the NAFDAC,” Onuegbu said.

Mrs Margret Owei, a Nutritionist, said that bitters or aromatic could also aid digestion, reduce digestive discomfort and actually improve the daily function of the digestive system.

According to Ogene, bitters help to feed the micro-bacteria that becomes healthy intestinal flora and taking after a meal is actually a little better but can also be taken before a meal.

Mr Ken Omeka-agu, a consumer of bitters, said it had helped his body system to be functional and agile.

Omeka-agu said that he was not consuming bitters because they were cheap, but because it was African’s herb that had been used by our fore-fathers.

“You cannot take roots, especially `Agbo’, out of the system because it has been in use by our fore-fathers for ages that is why they lived long and strong.

“Most white man’s medication are made from herbs, so what is the big deal about herbs, or Agbo? Bitters, especially Agbo can cure a lot of illness, we want the state and federal governments to promote the use of African’s root,” he said.

Mrs Mercy Olufemi, an Agbo seller, said that some other bitters were Alomo Bitters and Kasapreko (from Republic of Ghana), Ibile, Opa Eyin and man power.

Olufemi said that these bitters were very suggestive for libidinal efficacy for both man and woman.

“There are different kinds of bitters that can improve libido and help a man to be active with his spouse; bitters or bitter tonic are spirit-based tinctures made from herbs, barks and roots.

“Bitters are prepared according to secret recipes by several manufacturers using bitter herbs, leaves, fruits, seeds or roots and sometimes alcohol or sugar.

“Yes, we sell it, Agbo in measures, a cup can be sold between N20, N50 and N100 depending on the mixtures and ailment,” she said. (NAN)

OOC/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

 
NAN-HE-5
Power
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) An expert in the energy sector, Mr Oluwaseyi Gambo, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to sell its 40 per cent shares in the sector to attract more investments there.
Gambo, a former National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of PENGASSAN, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that government was keeping 40 per cent shares in some of the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) when they were sold to investors in November 2013.
According to him, these companies were privatised because the government could not run them efficiently, so holding a large share in the companies is not the answer.
“The government should sell their shares in order to bring in the much needed capital that many of the companies need to function.
“This will generate more investment in the sector and save it from the mess the power sector is presently passing through.
“This will also lead to an improvement in electricity supply nationwide and encourage the needed infrastructure development,” he said.
Gambo urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to increase its activities in market enforcement.
“The regulator should ensure that all those licensed in the market perform their functions as they should.
“That is, generation companies should generate; transmission companies should transmit while DISCOs should distribute and collect the associated revenue.
“If we all pay our bills, then everyone in the chain will get paid and investments get made and the lights stay on,” he said. (NAN)
ROR/AOS/PAD
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni, Peter Dada

NAN-H-2
Month
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Nov. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday advised motorists to maintain safe driving habits and refrain from casting aspersions on the last four months of the year.

Mr Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem, the FRSC Director of Operations, Omu-Aran Unit Command in Kwara , made the appeal while inaugurating the unit’s “ember’’ months campaign in Omu-Aran.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that September, October, November and December are usually regarded as “ember’’ months in the transportation sector.

Abdulkareem said there was no iota of truth in the popular belief by some people that the last four months of the year were always under the spell of accident and other negative tendencies.

The FRSC boss emphasised that the last four months of the year are noted for high volume of traffic, especially, on the nation’s highways, due to Christmas and New Year activities.
According to him, majority of road crashes being experienced are due to avoidable human errors which should not be attributed or laid at the door step of any spiritual influence.

“Let me advise that all the 12 months of the year are sanctified by our creator. Erase the obnoxious impression that any of such months are road crashes prone and inclined.

“This is false and fallacy. Your safety and security greatly lies in your hand by doing the right thing always. Let us apply the principle of defensive driving whenever driving on the roads,’’ he said.

Abdulkareem also advised motorists to imbibe the habit of adequate and timely maintenance of their vehicles to guard against unwarranted crashes.

Mr Usman Jibril, the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Police Command, Omu-Aran, expressed the command’s support to ensure the desired reduction in road crashes in the area.

Alhaji Yakub Adesina, a representative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from Omu-Aran, reiterated the body’s commitment toward sustaining the cordial relationship with the commission.

Mr Jacob Opeyemi, a representative of the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), on his part expressed members’ readiness to fully comply with traffic rules and regulations.
He said the union leaders had intensified its sensitisation on the need for members to desist from driving under the influence of alcohol and other related vices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a mini- drama was staged by some Corp members serving in the area as a way of educating the public on the menace of dangerous driving.

The highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the tape to inaugurate the unit’s “ember’’ months’ road safety campaign. (NAN)
ISHO/FAT/PAD
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Edited by Fatima Sule, Peter Dada