Blog

NAN-HE-38

Recession

Abuja, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts (CIFIAN), has advised the Federal Government not to panic over the economic recession facing the country.

Dr Olusegun Agoro, the institute’s board Registrar, gave this advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of CIFIAN’s 1oth Induction and Awards Night on Saturday in Abuja.

It was also the institute’s 3rd Annual Symposium on Emerging Market: Nigeria and Beyond.

The theme of the symposium was, “Economic Recovery: Review and In-roads to Revitalisation, the Analysts’ Perception’’.

According to Agoro, the way the Federal Government goes back and forth with policies recently, shows that it is panicking over Nigeria’s economic recession.

“The government should not panic; recession is a common phase in every economy.

“If an economy is in recession today, it will get out of it if the government plans very well; if you are afraid about recession, you will end up making mistakes.

“The government should avoid panic and allow its policies to unfold for a while; we will see the economy getting back naturally.

“Allow a policy to run before putting another in place; we have seen a lot of policy somersaults in the face of this recession; it is a sign of panic,’’ he said.

Also, Dr Gbadamosi Olatunde, the Vice President of the board told NAN that the institute had looked into the economy to analyse the trend and advise the Federal Government accordingly.

He said he subscribed to the idea of borrowing money to solve economic problems if the money would be judiciously utilised and directed into infrastructure development.

“Government should engage experts in the quest for loan and its deployment.

“Two planes in the presidential fleet have been given out; others should be sold; only two should be left to save cost,” he said.

Olatunde said that the institute would soon submit its recommendations on how to solve Nigeria’s economic problems to the government. (NAN)

CJ/YEMI

NAN-H-37

Christians

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) A Catholic Priest, Rev. Peter Atsewe, on Sunday encouraged Christians to give whatever they could afford to God and people in spite of the economic recession.

Atsewe, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Gwarimpa, Abuja, gave this advice in his message at the 2016 Harvest and Bazaar.

According to the priest, it is quite obvious that things are now generally difficult and hard for most families.

“The economy is harsh; the tendency therefore, is to shy away from giving,  even to God and that is quite human.

“But give as you can afford; in proportion to how God has blessed you, for we are mere stewards of God’s endowments, given to us in trust,” he said.

Atsewe, who buttressed his message with relevant Bible passages, said “every one shall therefore give as he is able, according to the blessings which the Lord God has given him.

He said the Lord had been merciful and good to the parishioners.

“It is natural to keep a date such as today; to assemble as one big family with our hearts full of appreciation to God.

“It is good to gather in thanksgiving and praise God, who has preserved and spared us to witness yet another harvest and bazaar,’’ the priest added.

In her message, the Chairman of the 2016 Harvest Planning Committee, Mrs Ngozi Agboegbulem, said harvest was a time to give thanks to God.

Agboegbulem said the parishioners had reasons to praise God, according to Psalm 9:2.

“Today, we are here to thank God for his wondrous deeds in our lives,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 2016 celebration is: “Harvest of Mercy”.

The theme, which was chosen by the parishioners, coincided with the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis. (NAN)

CIA/MOL/YEMI
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-25
Bill
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Kazeem Adekanye, the Chairman, Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) for Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, on Sunday commended the Senate for passing the Peace Corps bill.

Adekanye gave the commendation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran.

He said, “The passage of the bill is a welcome development because the need for the establishment of such an outfit was long overdue. “

Adekanye said that the Senate had, by the passing of the bill, taken a giant leap toward solving the nation’s unemployment and insecurity challenges.

He said that the bill when finally signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari would provide employment opportunities for some unemployed youths across the country.

“The establishment of the outfit will douse the tension occasioned by the high numbers of unemployed youths in the country.

“The establishment of the Peace Corps  is putting a round peg in a round hole toward maintaining unity and peaceful co-existence among the people, irrespective of ethno-religious , cultural or political affiliation.

“So the Senate, led by Sen. Bukola Saraki, following in the footsteps of the House of Representatives in passing the bill is highly commendable and also a welcome development,“ Adekanye said.

The council boss advised that the headship and recruitment into the outfit when eventually established should be in accordance with the nation’s Federal Character’s principles.

Adekanye, who is also the Kwara’s President, National Youth Council, urged the National Assembly to adequately fine tune the grey areas in the bill in its harmonisation, so as to serve the purpose it was intended.

Also speaking, a cleric, Prophet Christopher Owolabi, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give his final assent to the bill saying this would   be the best New Year gift to the nation’s unemployed youths.

The  Prophet-In-Charge of Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke Irapada, Omu-Aran, said the passage of the bill by the two chambers had further rekindled the hope of Nigerians in the present administration’s  sincerity of purpose.

He urged the nation’s political class to close ranks and shun acts capable of jeopardising the gains achieved through the nation’s democracy.

“Recent political development in the country, especially as it concerned the major players in the game, has become a source worries to religious leaders.

“We will never relent on our part to continue to intercede, through prayers, for solutions to the nation’s socio-economic and security challenges, “ Owolabi said. (NAN)
ISHO/MOL/PAD
=============
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi,Peter Dada

NAN-H-28
Labour
Abuja, Nov.27, 2016 (NAN) A labour expert, Mr Suleiman Rajan, has urged Ondo State Governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akerdolu, to invite labour leaders in the state for a meeting to iron out grey areas to ensure industrial harmony.

He gave the advice in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday,
as the result of the Ondo State Nov. 26 governorship election was being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the meeting also becomes necessary because the governor-elect will have to embark on aggressive revenue drive programme that will touch the lives of the state’s civil servants.

Rajan said “the governor-elect will do well by being honest with the civil servants and one of the ways of doing this is to carry the labour leaders along with sincerity of purpose.

“Akeredolu should discuss with the labour leaders policy his government will embark upon that has bearing on the state’s work force.”

He also urged the governor-elect to ensure equitable distribution of resources at the disposal of the state in a way that workers would also feel the dividends of democracy.

Rajan congratulated the governor-elect for his electoral victory, adding that INEC had organised a peaceful election with active cooperation of stakeholders that saw the exercise with less violence.

NAN reports that Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 244, 842 votes to emerge winner of the election, while Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 150, 380 votes.

Olusola Oke of Alliance for Democracy (AD) came third with 126,889 votes. (NAN)
DUA/HA
=======
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-19
INEC
Akure, Nov.27, 2016 (NAN)The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC) as winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

Addressing newsman on Sunday in Akure, the Returning Officer, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Ambali, said Akeredolu polled 244, 842 votes to beat his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  who garnered 150, 380 votes.

According to Ambali, Chief Olusola Oke, the candidate of Alliance for Democracy (AD), scored 126, 889 to come third.

The Returning Officer put the total registered voters at 1, 647, 973, out of which only 584, 997 voters were accredited while valid votes were put at 551,272 votes and 29, 615 votes were rejected.

“Having polled the highest number of votes and having satisfied all requirements, I hereby declare Oluwarotmi Akeredolu the governor-elect of Ondo State,” he said. (NAN)
MA/OJO
=======
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-15
Cinema
By Bababjide Awoyinfa
Lagos, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended the organisers of the newly premiered movie “The Wedding Party” for raising Nollywood artistic bar to international level.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the movie, which is a romantic comedy and a drama film, premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival version held in Lagos.

The Kemi Adetiba-directed movie had some of Africa’s biggest stars led by Richard Mofe-Damijo,
Sola Sobowale, Alibaba, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W and Adesua Etomi, with the stars attending the premiere.

In his remark, Mohammed said the important thing was to see how the creative industry was moving from the margins to become one of the pillars of the economy.

He added that “people are beginning to take the arts more seriously, a lot of things are happening. You can see the major shift that is beginning to happen.

“You can imagine the amount of investment that will go into this film, you can imagine the number of jobs it will create, that’s a challenge to us in government.

“It shows that this industry is sustainable when we provide the right environment in terms of regulatory framework, in terms of laws, in terms of protecting intellectual property.

“What is clear is that the kind of framework the government today is providing the film industry, tourism, arts and the likes, will definitely play to become a better role in the economy”, the minister added.

On his part, Cameron Bailey, the Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival,
said “we are pleased to welcome The Wedding Party by award-winning filmmaker Kemi Adetiba to the Festival.

“We are proud to present it to a global audience. Adetiba has delivered an exciting character-driven film on a grand scale, while putting her own unique spin on a familiar genre.”

Also, the Executive Producer of Ebony Life TV, Mo Abudu, said the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)’s selection of “The Wedding Party” was a true honour.

She said “I can’t think of a better place, or a better global audience for the film’s festival Premiere than this.”  (NAN)
BAG/HA
=======
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-ND-2

Development

By Lizzy Ikuru

Port Harcourt, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Andoni Youth Coalition (AYC), has said that it would partner with stakeholders in order to develop communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

The group’s pioneer president, Mr Mkpon Ijonama, made this disclosure in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sideline of the inauguration of the group’s executive in Port Harcourt.

Ijonama said the decision became imperative as the government and corporate bodies did not provide social amenities to the communities despite their contributions to the nation’s economy.

“We are worried that Andoni Local Government Area still lacks basic social amenities in spite of the enormous natural resources being tapped from there.

“It is saddening that the communities, which are few kilometres away from Port Harcourt, still do not have a bank and electricity supply, which could aid small and medium scale enterprises.

“These factors explain why the youth came together to form the AYC in 2014 with a aim of providing a united front to contribute to the development of the area.

“So far, we have successfully interfaced with the companies operating in the communities and this has provided job opportunities to more than 80 indigent youths of the area,” he said.

Ijonama said that some fishing settlements in the area, if properly harnessed, could become the hub for small and medium scale fish businesses in the state and the region.

He said the group would liaise with the oil companies operating in the area to carry out their corporate social responsibilities effectively.

Ijonama urged the youth in the area to support the AYC leadership to enable it carry out its programmes, which were aimed at tackling unemployment and infrastructure deficit. (NAN)

LMI/EMO/YEMI

Edited by Ejike Obeta/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-14
IDPs
Maiduguri, Nov. 27, 2016(NAN) Sen. Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) and Chairman, Senate ad hoc Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in the North East, on Sunday, said individuals found to have diverted government money meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) must be sanctioned.

Sani stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after a visit to Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri.

He said “our visit to Maiduguri is to investigate an alleged large-scale misappropriation of funds meant for the welfare of victims of insurgency in the North East.

“And from what we have seen here, all aspects of life need improvement, the feeding, water supply, schools and hospital require more support.

“It is still a surprise to us that in spite of the billions of Naira sent by the Federal Government to cater for the IDPs, things are still in terrible shape.

“I think there ought not to be anything lacking here.

“But from all indications, the camps have been turned to cash cows for some persons to amass wealth for themselves; If the money sent by the Federal Government has been given to the people on ground, things will have been different.

“Look at the school boys, they do not have shoes or books and the school is lacking many things.’’

The lawmaker, who described the hospital meant for the IDPs as “in shambles’’, added that the quality of food being served to the displaced persons was also not commensurate with Federal Government’s spending.

He said “it is time to ask questions, where is the Federal Government money going into?; that is why we are here.’’

Sani, who said that the committee would also hold a public hearing in Abuja to further get information on its assignment, noted that “we are going to write our report on what we have seen here and a public hearing will be held in Abuja, where people from IDP camps will be invited.

“The people will be invited to narrate their experiences at the IDPs camps.

“We will make sure that individuals found wanting are prosecuted, because our final findings will be tabled before the senate plenary for adoption.’’  (NAN)
ABI/HA
=======
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-10

Accident

Damaturu, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) Eight staff of Yobe College of Education, Gashua, died on Saturday in a motor accident along Bayamari-Dapchi federal highway, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN gathered that the eight non-academic staff, including the driver, were travelling from Gashua to Damaturu in the college bus to attend a promotion examination.

The survivors of the accident said the vehicle had a burst tyre, which forced it to somersault several times, thereby killing eight people while five others sustained injuries.

The provost of the college, Alhaji Muhammad Gishiwari, who confirmed the accident, said it was a huge loss to the college.

Meanwhile, Gov. Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, has described the death of the staff as a great loss to the state, their families and the country.

Gaidam prayed for the repose of the departed souls and a quick recovery for the injured people. (NAN)

MM/MOL/YEMI
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN -ND-5

Conviction

By Isaiah Ekah

Uyo, Nov. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Akwa Ibom Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has convicted 32 persons in the state for violating various traffic rules.

The Sector Commander of the corps in the state, Mrs Cecilia Alao, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday.

Alao said the offences included, driving without valid driver’s license, failure to use seatbelt while driving, use of expired and worn out tyres and operating with forged documents.

The Sector Commander said that all the convicts were given options of fine, depending on the offences committed.

According to her, the use of mobile court has helped the command to curb road crashes especially during the festive period, characterised by increased socio-economic activities.

“The use of mobile court has really helped us to reduce road crashes in the country and we will not relent in using it in prosecuting traffic offenders.

“The mobile court has yielded good results because the moment a court sentences anyone, the person has no option than to pay the fine or go to prison,” she said.

Alao implored motorists in the state to adhere strictly to the corps’s safety rules and regulations for them to stay alive. (NAN)

IE/EMO/YEMI

Edited by Ejike Obeta/Yemi Idris-Aduloju