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NSCDC moves to enhance peace between farmers/herdsmen in Edo

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Conflict

Benin, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has commenced sensitisation of Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Edo, as part of proactive measures to prevent conflict.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Commandant of the Corps, Dr Benito Eze, said during the event on Monday that they must adopt dialogue to settle any misunderstanding.

Eze told the herdsmen to report to the appropriate authorities any issue that arose in the course of carrying out their legitimate businesses, rather than resorting to violence.

According to him, the NSCDC has established a special unit to promptly intervene in cases involving farmers and herdsmen.

The commandant expressed happiness that there had been no report of any clash between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

He assured that the corps would also engage farmers, to promote peaceful coexistence in the state.

Eze blamed reports of clashes in some parts of country to communication breakdown, and advised all stakeholders to meet regularly to engender mutual trust and understanding.

“To prevent this, we have established the Agro-Allied uni in the 18 Local Government Areas o the state, just like we have same unit in the state command.

“The reason for this, is to provide a platform for anyone who has any reason to be aggrieved to complain, and this complaint will be attended to with dispatch.

“Like the farmers, the herdsmen are hard working and law abiding citizens, which account for the reason why they spend so much time raising their cattle to maturity.

“We are all one, we have lived together and can still live together.

“Before the discovery of oil, we had always lived together. Our problem is that of communication barriers, and we will smoothen that out,” he stated.

Speaking at the occasion, the Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Mohammed Susam, commeded the NSCDC for the initiative.

“There is no problem that is insurmountable, only if the people resolve to work things out,” he said.

Similarly, state Chiarman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Sa’adus Abubakar, said they were ready to ensure the sustenance of existing peace with farmers in the state.

Abubakar said the Fulanis would continue to push for peace, progress and development of Edo.

“Both farmers and the herdsmen are one and we need each other for the desired progress and development to be achieved in Edo,” he said. (NAN)
ESI/TO/MZA
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Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Maharazu Ahmed

Jigawa pensioners laud Gov. Badaru on payment of entitlements

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Pensioners
Dutse, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Jigawa chapter, has commended Gov. Muhammad Badaru for the prompt payment of their entitlements.

The State NUP Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Dutse that members of the union have been receiving their dues monthly.

Garba said they were paid their pension on or before 15th of every month and commended the governor for the gesture.

He explained that the government’s decision was to ensure that the payment of pensioners’ money did not collide with the time civil servants in the state were receiving their salaries.

“Ordinarily, pensioners are weak people and government in its own wisdom decided to make the payment before month end.

“I am speaking on behalf of my members because we are all very happy with the way our pensions are paid promptly and regularly,’’ he added.

Garba stated that gratuities were also paid to both state and local government workers that left the service without delay.

According to him, the state has an organised contributory pension which process workers benefits and settle them in good time.

The chairman said that the pensioners would continue to appreciate Badaru for not tampering with pension funds in spite of the prevailing economic challenges facing the states and federal governments. (NAN)
MS/MOL/MST
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Safety

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has warned motorists against overloading, dangerous driving and speed limit violation in order to reduce road accidents during the yuletide.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Enugu State, Mr David Mendie, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.

Mendie explained that the three traffic violations were the major causes of road traffic crashes in the country.

“Motorists should avoid overloading, speed limit violation, dangerous driving as well as phoning or texting messages on phones while on the wheel.

“They should also avoid the use of worn-out and expired tyres this season,” he said.

He stressed that overloading of vehicles could make the drivers to lose control while driving, especially when on a high speed.

According to him, overloading leads to wear and tear of vehicle; thus, making it age and look rickety very fast.

He also urged transport companies, nationwide; to guard against overloading at this yuletide as the commission would penalise any defaulter caught.

The sector commander reminded drivers that overloading of passengers and goods always attract N10, 000 fine and stressed the need for them to eschew such action. (NAN)

OJI/DUA/MO
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Morayo Omolade
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Employee

By Moses Omorogieve

Lagos, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) Police in Lagos have arrested a 32-year-old employee of an oil company, Reuben Agboola for allegedly faking self-kidnapping so as to defraud his employer N19.5 million

Mr Fatai Owosen, Commissioner of police in Lagos State told newsmen on Sunday that the suspect’s employer requested him to withdrew $50,000 (about N19.5 million) from a bank,  but gave out part of the money to a friend.

Owoseni said in attempt to defraud his employer,  the suspect called his office that he had been kidnapped, informing the office that $15,000 had been collected from him by the robbers cum kidnappers.

He said the suspect went into hiding pretending to be in the custody of suspected kidnappers.

The commissioner said after intensive search by the police, the suspect was finally arrested in Epe area of the state. The suspect, Owoseni said, later confessed committing the crime.

He said the police were doing everything possible to recover $15,000 out of the money.

Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the briefing, Agboola said that his company sent him to withdrew $50,000 being the company’s accounting officer.

Agboola who claimed to be into music, said one of his friends had a phone discussion with him while in the bank.

The suspect claimed his friend then informed him of a need of $15,000 (about N5.8 million) to sort out his deportation problem, from being sent back home from London.

”Immediately he told me he needed $15,000 out of the money, I don’t know what came over me, I started counting the money from the $50,000 I came to withdraw.

”He promised to send someone to come and collect the money. After counting the $15,000, I left the banking hall and went to the spot where the person who wanted to collect the money was already waiting for me.

”Immediately I saw him, I handed over the money and my phone also. It was after he had gone that I regained my conscience; at that point I became confused I didn’t know where to search for the person.

”I don’t  know what happened to me that fateful day, because  that was not the first time I was sent to bank to withdrew  money.

”I have withdrawn hundreds of thousands of dollars for the company before; I believe I was charmed,” he said

The suspect claimed after giving the money out, he was scared to return to his office, he decided to go to a primary school in Bariga  to hide the remaining $35,000.

” I don’t want to take the money home because  my wife would  query me where I got such huge amount of money from,” he said.

He said after keeping the money in the school premises, he boarded a taxi to Epe to commit suicide, but later changed his mind when he got to Epe.

The suspect claimed he reported himself to the police about what happened in Epe, denying faking his kidnapping.

“I only told the policemen that I went into hiding and nobody kidnapped me as I speak with you. I can’t fathom what really happened to me, because this is not the first time I would go to the bank,” he said.(NAN)

MIO/

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Election

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Nov. 27, 2016 ( NAN) Mr Bashir Yankuzu, a lecturer with the Department of Sciences, Federal University of Technology Minna, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) and security agencies for the success of Ondo State governorship election.

Yankuzu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the peaceful conduct of the poll was a significant victory for the nation’s nascent democracy.

He called on the commission to sustain the tempo and make all future polls free, fair and credible.

The lecturer noted that the deployment of security personnel to all nooks and crannies of the state allowed the electorates to come out and exercise their civic rights without any fear of molestation.

He called on the governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu to carry the people along in all government policies and programmes to ensure inclusive governance.

“I am very optimistic that the governor-elect will implement people oriented policies and programmes that will make a difference in Ondo state.

“He is a true progressive who excelled in his profession and will pave way for massive development of Ondo state.” (NAN)
AAG/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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Centre
By Wale Ojetimi
Lagos, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN)A new care centre where victims of sexual violence could get immediate medical and psychosocial attention will open in Lagos on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Yaba, Lagos-based Sexual Assault Referral Centre is an initiative of Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), an NGO.
WARIF Chief Executive, Dr Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, an obstetrician, told newsmen on Sunday that the fully-serviced medical suite would provide 24-hour support to victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence.
In addition to clinical and forensic medical services, DaSilva-Ibru said that the centre would also provide “long-term therapy to survivors and integrate them successfully back into society’’
“It is our primary social responsibility to ensure that all young girls and women live in a society free of rape and social violence’’, said the NGO boss.
According to DaSilva-Ibru, WARIF has established partnerships with US-based Washington DC Rape Crisis Centre (DCRCC) and several government and non-government organisations to achieve its objectives.
Indira Henard, DCRCC Director, said at the unveiling that the establishment of WARIF was a game changer for sexual assault survivors in a timely manner.
“It is important that the international community come together to not only address gender-based violence, but also create resources and tools to enable self-determination and freedom for all’’, she said. (NAN)
WOJ

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APC

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for calm and appealed to opposition parties and their candidates to accept defeat in the Ondo state Governorship election in good faith.

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, made the appeal in a statement issued by Mr Edegbe Odemwingie, the party`s Assistant Director of Publicity in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement was issued on behalf of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

Odigie-Oyegun congratulated the APC`s governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and his running mate, Mr Agboola Ajayi on their landslide electoral victory.

The party also expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their impressive turnout and peaceful conduct during the election.

APC also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders for their invaluable support to the party.

“The APC thanks the Ondo electorate for voting for the party in the keenly-contested election.

“The Ondo electorate had voted for the candidate with a proven track record of performance who will bring about the kind of focused leadership and multi-faceted development the state deserved.

The party assured the people of the state that its candidate will deliver on their expectations.

The NWC said that the outcome of the Ondo governorship election demonstrated the confidence and trust of the people in the overall leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC-led administration.

According to the party, APC and the President hold such confidence in sacred trust.

APC said the task before its leadership was to unite the party and heal wounds, with the 2016 governorship concluded.

Akeredolu was declared winner of the Ondo governorship poll by Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, the INEC Chief Returning Officer in the election.

He won the election by 244,842 votes, followed by the candidate of PDP, Eyitayo Jegede, who scored 150,380 votes, AD candidate, Olusola Oke, came third with 126,889 votes. (NAN)

EEM/DUA/IEA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Idahosa Asowata
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Stroke
By Oluwakemi Oladipo
Lagos, Nov. 27, 2016, 2016 (NAN) A cardiologist, Dr Afolabi Akinkunmi, on Sunday in Lagos said that early identification of risk factors of stroke remained the best way of preventing the life threatening illness.
Akinkunmi, President, Association of Residents Doctors (ARD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that stroke was also known as a cerebrovascular accident.
According to him, the risk factors of stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking as well as advancement in age and heart valve disease.
He said: “Stroke occurs when a part of the brain loses its blood supply to a part of the body; blood is deprived of that area and brain cells control stops working.
“A stroke is a medical emergency which can happen to anyone; however, the older you are, the higher the risk and stroke can lead to death or permanent disability.
“When the signs of stroke appear, time is of the essence to diagnose it because the longer a stroke remains unrecognised and un-treated, the longer brain cells are deprived of oxygen-rich blood.
“As such, it is important to identify the signs and risk factors, in order to prevent stroke.’’
On the symptoms of stroke, the cardiologist said there may be no warning signs of a stroke until it occurs.
“That is why high blood pressure, one of the risk factors for stroke, is called the silent killer.
“Other symptoms like speech, vision, balance, and coordination loss, helps the health care professionals locate the part of the brain that has stopped working,’’ he said.
According to him, strokes are also often described based on the function of the body that is lost, as well as by the area of the brain that is affected.
The cardiologist also spoke on the most common treatment to administer on a stroke patient.
“Drug therapy with blood thinners, airways breathing and circulation to make the patient breathe are recommended.
“Also, ensuring that the patient gets adequate blood pressure is a common treatment for someone that has stroke,’’ he said. (NAN)
OKG/VIV/WOJ

(Edited by Vivian Ihechu / Wale Ojetimi)

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Wage

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday backed agitation for urgent upward review of the N18, 000 national minimum wage.

The union’s stand was contained in an 11-point communiqué issued at the end of its quarterly National Executive Council meeting held in Owerri, Imo State.

The communiqué noted that the current minimum wage was too meagre to accommodate the daily needs of workers and urged the Federal Government to review it upward.

“The minimum wage is no longer in tandem with prevailing economic realities because of the high cost of living in the country.

“Government should urgently review upward the present minimum wage of N18, 000,” it said.

The NUJ also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently declare a state of emergency to fix the deplorable state of roads in the country.

It said that the condition of the roads had led to loss of many lives and affected free movement of goods and services across the country.

The communiqué also called on the government to give adequate attention to the legitimate developmental needs of oil producing areas in the country.

“In the same vein, leaders of the Niger Delta should prevail on youths in their area to desist from further destruction of oil and gas installations and other national assets in the region.

“Similarly, there is need for a more robust response from stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, development partners and donor agencies in rebuilding and reintegrating victims of insurgency.

“This will discourage those who have moved to their communities from returning to the Internally Displayed Persons (IDPs) camps,” it said.

The journalists said government and community leaders must work together to find lasting solutions to challenges in the country, particularly in the North-East.

The NUJ canvassed support for the nation’s Armed Forces in fighting terrorism, militancy, oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy and other forms of insecurity in the country.

It stressed that federal and state governments must develop robust relationship with journalists and make available information concerning their activities when requested.

“The judicial system should also be strengthened to end impunity with regards to crimes against journalists.” (NAN)

DES/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Maharazu Ahmed
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Police
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) A policeman, who allegedly killed a driver and injured another on Tegina – Lagos road, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that investigation into the incident had commenced.
“The policeman in question has been arrested and detained as the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, has ordered for an in-depth investigation into the case.
“The policeman will be tried in police orderly room,” said the police spokesman.
He re-assured that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted according to the law and urged residents to remain calm as investigation continued into the incident. (NAN)
AAG/MZA/WOJ
(Edited by Maharazu Ahmed / Wale Ojetimi)