NAN-H-73
Construction
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Delta Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye says the state government has spent  N32.9billion on roads and drainage projects across the state from May 29 till date.

Augoye disclosed this at the annual ministerial press briefing organised by the state Ministry of Information on Monday in Asaba.

According to him, the ministry has embarked on 71 road projects at a total cost of N32.9billion for construction between May 2015 and November 2016, covering over 282km of roads and 136km concrete-lined drains.

 The commissioner said that the projects, which comprised  highways, urban and rural roads were aimed at transforming the state into an investment haven for tapping diverse agricultural produce and huge mineral deposits.

According to him, these projects when completed will help to reduce post-harvest losses by allowing for quick evacuation of perishable items to markets within and outside the state.

“This administration has embarked on urban renewal by working on several roads in key towns and cities across the state.

“In this regards, a number of roads have been maintained, rehabilitated, reconstructed or newly constructed.

“These include the dualisation of Nnebisi from traffic light junction to cable point, Asaba, dualisation of Sapele road from Amukpe to ATt& P and the reconstruction of old/Emede/Olomoro road in Oleh in Isoko south local government area of the state,’’ he said.

Augoye said that the state Ministry of Works was also responsible for the construction of the ongoing works on the rehabilitation of the Asaba airport runway and taxiways.

He said that the cost of the airport project was put at about N5billion.

 On the policy trust of the ministry, Augoye said that it was the target of the ministry to increase the length of all-weather roads in the state from the estimated current level of 2,550km to minimum target of functional road length of 5,000km.

 He said that it was also the target of the ministry to incorporate optimal drainage system in road construction projects as well as transformation of urban centres through the provision of good road network to enhance effective flow of traffic. (NAN)
MOA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

NAN-DS-4

Workshop

Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Monday, said that the army was restrategising to track and eliminate the remaining Boko Haram elements from the battle field.

Buratai said this while speaking with journalists at the media workshop, organised by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) at 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Lagos.

Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Peter Boje, assured that the elements would finally be eliminated finally from the battlefield in no time.
Buratai, who was also the special guest of honour and speaker, delivered a lecture entitled, ‘’The Utilisation of New Generation Warfare Tactics: Gains and Successes in the North-East Operations’’.

“We are degrading their activities. Most of the areas that were initially occupied by the insurgents have been captured and a lot of them have dispersed.
“But again, there are elements of this Boko Haram that are scattered all over the North- East and if you know their characteristics, you will know they operate in small cells.

“So they come out and carry out small attacks and disappear. So, we are making efforts to restrategise, track and finally eliminate them from the battlefield,“ he said.

He expressed delight that the military and the media had excellent working relationship, adding that the military at all times would continue to collaborate and exchange information with the media, as required.

“We have been very open with the media. ‘’We do not make any negative statement about the Nigerian media and the media are doing very well to the best of my knowledge.’’

Buratai, whose lecture talked about the concept of new generation warfare, challenges and way forward, identified information, psychological and cyber operation as some of the new generation warfare tactics.

He said that the way forward was for every Nigerian to cooperate with the military in providing it with timely information on suspicious activities of individuals or groups in his or her community or locality.

Mr Femi Adeshina, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, urged the military to ensure constant training and retraining of journalists aimed at ensuring better reportage of the military.

Adeshina, whose lecture was entitled,’’ The Challenges and Expectations of the Media in Military Operations, called on the military to facilitate scoops for the media.

“The Nigerian Media must work in proactivity,“ he said.

While speaking with journalists, Adeshina also reiterated that the Federal Government’ commitment in tackling the insurgency, by going after the sponsors of Boko Haram.

“This government is tackling the issue of insurgency and if it knows the sponsors and it is double sure they are the sponsors, those sponsors will be treated like Boko Haram.“

On the released Chibok girls, Adeshina said the girls were being rehabilitated physically and psychologically.

Earlier, Col. Sanni Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, in his address of welcome said the workshop was a platform where the military and journalists would rub minds and exchange ideas.

“We have some commanding officers of units located in the North-East and other parts of the country as participants.

“Their participation in the study period is crucial to the overall success of the Nigerian Army’s Counter Insurgency and Peace Keeping Operation as well as other Internal Security Operations.

“It is our intention to use this forum to implore for more positive coverage of the army’s activities with due observance of the principles of accuracy and security by the media,“ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Commanding Officers, Directorate of Army Public Relation Officers (DAPR), journalists and personalities from other sectors are attending the three-day workshop.

The workshop is entitled: ‘New Generation Warfare: The Dynamics of Information Management’’.

HOB/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed
===================

Palestinian man handed two life sentences over Tel Aviv stabbing

NAN-F- 16
Sentence
Tel Aviv, Nov.28, 2016 (dpa/ NAN) A Tel Aviv district court on Monday handed two life sentences to a Palestinian man who fatally stabbed two people last November, according to a court statement.

The judge justified the harsh sentence based on the heinous nature of the November 19, 2015, attack in a Tel Aviv commercial tower.

According to the statement, Raed Khalil, who was staying with his brother in the Panorama tower, which also has residences, took a 23-centimetre knife from a nearby kebab restaurant and stabbed one Israeli man 14 times and another nine times, as well as severely injured one other person.

Khalil, from the West Bank town of Dura, was also sentenced to an additional 20 years in prison on three counts of attempted murder.

More than 35 Israelis have been killed over the past year in similar attacks, and at least 200 Palestinians have been killed in Jerusalem and the West Bank in the same period, including suspected assailants who died during attacks and people killed by Israeli security forces. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

Re-issue: Security guard appears in court for alleged stealing

NAN-H-65
Stealing
Ibadan, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The police in Ibadan, on Monday, arraigned a 24-year-old security guard, Benjamen Bitrus, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Iyaganku, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, store breaking and stealing.

Bitrus was alleged to have broken into the office and store of his employer, Forte Oil Filling Station, along Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Salewa Hammed, said the accused conspired with five others, now at large, to cart away goods worth N356, 650, property of one Mr Adeyemi Ismail.

Items alleged to have been stolen included; a petrol generator, stabilisers and kegs of heavy duty oil.

Hammed said that the accused acted contrary to Sections 516, 413 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that Bitrus pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Thereafter, the trial Judge, Mrs Abiona Richard, granted the accused bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She stated that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and the other a level 8 civil servant with the Oyo State Government.

The court adjourned the case to Dec. 28 for trial. (NAN)

MKO/VOO/CEO/YEMI

Edited by Chidi Opara/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-72

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed on Monday, still on a negative note with the market indices depreciating by 0.06 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Lagos that the market capitalisation shed N5 billion to close at N8.715 trillion against N8.720 trillion posted on Friday.

Also, the All-Share Index which opened at 25,333.39, lost 14.98 points to close at 25,318.41, amid loses by some highly capitalised equities.

NAN reports that market analysts attributed the downtrend in the market to negative economic indicators and the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to retain interest rate at 14 per cent.

They added that decline in money supply had put pressure on the economy and the stock market.

The market analysts urged the government to wake up to its responsibilities and ensure effective fiscal policies that would impact on the economy.

An analysis of the price movement chart showed that Forte Oil led the losers’ table with a loss of N3.14 to close at N59.66 per share.

It was trailed by UACN with 85k to close at N16.15 and Total shed 40k to close at N245.45 per share.

Zenith Bank dipped 30k to close at N13.50 and Stanbic IBTC lost 21k to close at N14.44 per share.

Conversely, Mobil Oil topped the gainers’ table with a gain of N10.44 to close at N219.41 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank came second with 38k to close at N21.89, while ETI garnered 30k to close at N9.80 per share.

NASCON improved by 13k to close at N7 and Eterna Oil grew by 13k to close at N2.98 per share.

NAN reports that Wema Bank led the activity chart having accounted for 75.36 million shares valued at N39.19 million.

Access Bank traded 22.90 million worth N131.57 million, while Zenith Bank sold 14.78 million worth N199.73 million.

FCMB Group exchanged 14.29 million shares valued at N15.14 million and FBN Holdings sold 13.51 million worth N41.29 million.

In all, investors bought and sold 202.43 million shares valued at N1.62 billion traded in 2,558 deals against 144.16 million shares worth N2.14 billion traded in 2,459 deals on Friday. (NAN)

JNC/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-HG-10
Training
By Martha Agas
Jos, Nov 28, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations has engaged no fewer than 40 women as mentors to promote its peace and security programme in four local government areas of Plateau, an official has said.

Ms Sequester Surma, the Gender Technical Adviser of Women, Peace and Securty in Plateau stated this at a capacity building workshop in Jos on Monday.

The workshop was on “Gender and Equality Opportunities Law, Strategic Advocacy for Government Workers and Civil Society Organisations.”

Surma said the programme was community based and that it engaged women as mentors in coordinating activities that promote women peace and security as criteria for fast-tracking development.

“We are working with women mentors, community leaders and religious leaders as key opinion stakeholders in ensuring peace and security in the society.

In Plateau, we have 40 women mentors, among them five lead women mentors and 35 others spread across the local governments.

“We are building their capacity to be able to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325/

“It addresses the inordinate impact of war on women and the pivotal role women should play in conflict management, resolution, and sustainable peace to curb violence especially at the grassroots.

“The UN Women programme `Promoting women engagement in peace and security in northern Nigeria, is in four local governments of Wase, Riyom, Mangu and Jos North in Plateau and engages women leaders in 16 communities.

“We also fund some CSOs to help in coordinating programmes in these selected communities as it relates to women peace and security’’, she said.
“The WPS programme implementation is funded by the European Union in collaboration with UNICEF and the Federal Government of Nigeria and focuses on Plateau, Adamawa and Gombe States.
Surma said the training was to build the capacity of staff of the state’s Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development on Strategic Advocacy for Gender Equality.
Mrs Rufina Gurumyen, the Plateau Commissioner for Women Affairs, commended the UN for its supportive role in efforts to curb gender violence in the State.

The commissioner, represented by Mr Pwajok Mangs, Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry also said that the federal government had made donations of relief materials to people with disabilities at the grassroots in the state .(NAN).
MAA/ECN/IEA
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Idahosa Asowata

Over 500,000 internally displaced in Afghanistan, UN says

NAN-F-16

Report
Kabul, Nov. 28, 2016 (dpa/NAN)   Conflict across Afghanistan has forced more than 500,000 people to leave their homes in 2016, the highest number on record for the country, a UN report said Monday.

As the winter months arrive, aid workers warn of deadly consequences for the hundreds of thousands of people with no shelter and little food.

As of Sunday, the UN says 511,762 individuals have been displaced in Afghanistan so far this year.

The number of returning Afghan refugees from Pakistan is also on the rise. “So far in 2016, 606,384 undocumented Afghans, deportees and refugees have returned,” the report said.

Pakistan is seeking to return around 2.5 million Afghans. Many Afghans sent back to Afghanistan have spent more than 30 years of their lives in Pakistan, after fleeing there during the Soviet-Afghan war. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

NAN-H-65
Stealing
Ibadan, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The police in Ibadan, on Monday, arraigned a 24-year-old security guard, Benjamen Bitrus, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Iyaganku, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, store breaking and stealing.

Bitrus was alleged to have broken into the office and store of his employer, Forte Oil Filling Station, along Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Salewa Hammed, said the accused conspired with five others, now at large, to cart away goods worth N356, 650, property of one Mr Adeyemi Ismail.

Items alleged to have been stolen included; a petrol generator, stabilisers and kegs of heavy duty oil.

Hammed said that the accused acted contrary to Sections 516, 413 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that Bitrus pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Thereafter, the trial Judge, Mrs Abiona Richard, granted the accused bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She stated that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and the other a level 8 civil servant with the Oyo State Government.

The court adjourned the case to Dec. 28 for trial. (NAN)

MKO/VOO/CEO/YEMI

Edited by Chidi Opara/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Thousands urge Taiwan lawmakers to approve same-sex marriage rights

NAN-F-15

Rights
Taipei, Nov. 28, 2016 (dpa) Over 10,000 people rallied outside Taiwan’s parliament on Monday to demand quick legislative action on same- sex marriage.

This according to reports, would clear the way for Taiwan to become the first Asian nation to recognise same-sex marriage.

The protesters gathered outside a public hearing on the subject of same-sex marriage rights and possible alternatives.

Changes to legislation have been hampered by protests from religious and conservative groups, who call into question the extent to which same-sex marriage should be seen legally as equal to traditional marriages, with some calling for a special status.

So far, 67 of the 113 members of the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan`s parliament, have publicly backed legislative changes to the island nation’s Civil Code to “equalize marriage rights.”

Taiwan’s Civil Code sets the legal framework for core areas of private law such as marriage, family relations, property, contracts and other rights and obligations.

The leading legislative package proposed by Yu Mei-nu, a representative of the center-left Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), would permit same-sex couples to have equal marriage rights and obligations and would refer to participants in all marriages as “both sides” instead of “husband and wife.”

The legislative changes would also ban discrimination in decisions on adoption based on gender or sexual orientation.

Monday’s demonstrators issued a statement opposing enactment of a separate law governing same-sex marriages, preferring instead to directly change the Civil Code.

“Some legislative leaders want to compromise in the face of conservative opposition through a more complicated procedure of enacting a special law which would acknowledge same-sex marriages without the equal rights and obligations for unions covered by the Civil Code,” Tseng Chao-yuan of the feminist Awakening Foundation said.

“The Civil Code guarantees equally rights for all the people and we cannot accept a ‘separate but unequal’ status for same-sex marriages.”(dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

U.S. offers $173,000 grants for community projects in Nigeria

NAN-F-6

Grants

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja,Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The United States Embassy in Nigeria on Monday awarded 173,000 dollars (about N55m) grants to 30 local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) covering 19 states for community-based projects under the Ambassador’s Small Grants Programme.

The programme, according to new U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, provides one-time small grants to community development projects.

“The ambassador’s small grant programme was established as a programme for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria to assist groups, neighbourhoods, villages and communities to help themselves.

“The grant is largely funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFRAR) and by the U.S. Department of State Self Help,” he said.

The funds, Symington said, was expected to cover projects ranging from purchasing of books and equipment for schools, construction of classrooms, health clinics, community centres, food processing mills to boreholes and latrines.

The funds would also provide economic, nutritional and hygienic needs of some families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS as well as providing safe school toilets to mitigate communicable diseases, he added.

According to him, through grants the U.S. Mission in Nigeria was able to reach the people and support the initiative, endeavours and development of local communities

The Ambassador, who said Nigeria was unique in the success of Africa as a continent, stressed on the need to support families and communities to make Nigeria great.

Adeola Seweje-Chimunda, who spoke on behalf of other grantees, commended the embassy for the initiative and pledged commitment for the implementation of various projects.

One of the grantees, Abel Oniye of the Good Samaritan initiative from Ondo State, said the 3,810 dollars grant for his NGOs was for educational support for the visually impaired School in Owo.

Oniye, who said the physically challenged are largely neglected by the authorities as little or no attention was paid to them, appealed to the government at all levels to pay more attention to their needs.

Adi Vera from Emmanuel Teryila Memorial Liberty Foundation based in Ushongu, Benue, said the 6,640 dollars for her organisation was to assist the out of school youth.

Vera said she had reached out to over 10,000 youth and was targeting more than 120 youths with the grant was to empower the school dropout to make them achieve their purpose of living.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiary states include Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Federal Capital Territory, Kwara and Lagos.

Others are Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Kogi States.

NAN however reports that this year’s grant was lower than 2015, which was 250,000 dollars grants to 35 NGOs covering 20 states. (NAN)

IAA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola