Blog

NAN-H-35

Yabatech

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, had commiserated with the management , staff, parents and students of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) over the fire incident that engulfed one of the female hostels on Nov. 23.

The minister was represented by Dr Folashade Esan, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and  a Deputy Director in the ministry , Mr Odejinmi Adebayo, in a statement signed by Dr Charles Oni, Director, Press and Public Relations Unit of the college.

The minister’s representation and the college management later inspected the affected hostel and visited the remaining five students still on admission at the Military Hospital, Yaba.

Adamu in the statement commended the solidarity among the tertiary institutions within Lagos State, which he said hastened the efforts that quickly led to putting the situation under control then.

“We are grateful to God that no life was lost in the inferno,” the minister said in the statement.

Adamu also commended the foresightedness of the college’s management for acquiring essential fire equipment that helped in extinguishing the fire.

The statement also stated that the Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, had expressed the management’s appreciation to the minister and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Education for the visit and phone calls since the accident occurred.

Ladipo explained that a committee had been set up to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the fire, it said.

She said that the report of the committee would aid the college in its proposed reports to the insurance company in charge of the building, it said.

The rector also expressed the college’s appreciation to parents and the entire Yabatech community for the oneness of purpose with which the fire was fought.(NAN)
OOG/PAD

Edited by Peter Dada

NAN-H-38
Commendation
By Remi Bamgbose
Okitipupa (Ondo State), Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Some voters on Saturday in Ondo State commended the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for a hitch-free governorship election.

In  separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa, they said that the card readers functioned seamlessly in the area making the accreditation and voting process to be fast.

They also lauded the security agencies for their prompt action to stop criminality at polling centres.

Mr Wale Adekoya, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the area, told NAN that there was no challenge with the card readers.

“I have to commend INEC for their early distribution of materials, the punctuality of their staff as well as effective functioning of the card reader machines,” he said.

An Alliance for Democracy agent, Mr Rotimi Olasenoja, also commended security agents for their prompt action to make the election credible.

” We have enough security agents on ground and they are doing their job,” he said

Mrs Adewunmi Oloko, an APC supporter, also said the election was fair and credible.

Mr Dare John, INEC’s Presiding Officer for Okitipupa Ward 2, Unit 017, said that the voters were cooperative and orderly in their conduct, promoting a smooth electoral process.

“The electorate cooperated with us and were orderly too and we have no issue with the card reader machine,” John said.

A Superintendent of Police and Head of the police patrol team, Earnest Ejong, also said that no suspect was arrested so far in connection with election crime.

NAN reports that sorting and collation of results was ongoing as at the time of filing this report. (NAN)
BAA/ OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-30
Akeredolu
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, the APC governorship candidate in Saturday’s poll, on Saturday lamented the malfunctioning of some smart card readers deployed for the exercise.

Akeredolu, who spoke at his Owo residence after casting his vote, also said INEC ought to have test run the devices before election day.

He said reports had indicated that some of the devices were malfunctioning.

The APC candidate, however, said that his major concern was the commission ensuring free, credible and fair election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP flagbearer, Eyitayo Jegede and his Alliance for Democracy counterpart, Wole Oke, had also complained about the malfunctioning card readers.

The card reader had also rejected Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s thumbprint when he wanted to vote at his Ward 7, Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo West Local Government Area.

But INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the commission has more than 250 spare smart card readers to replace those malfunctioning.

“I have called the Head of Department of ICT to get smart cards for areas with smart card challenges and very soon they will them.

“ Card reader is not a major challenge because it can be addressed within 10 to 20 minutes; we have over 250 smart card readers for exchange in case of malfunction,’’ Agbaje had said.

No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards were expected to vote in the election out of the 28 contestants.

Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, only 378,606 collected their PVCs.(NAN)
REPORTERS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-24

Convocation

By Auwalu Yusuf Birnin Kudu

Birnin Kebbi Nov 26 2016 (NAN) Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Saturday said the Federal Government would transform science and technical education to fast track technological development in the country.

Adamu said this in a message to the 12th combined convocation of Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi.

The minister, who was represented by Dr Mas’ud Kazaure, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, said the government would also support researches for breakthroughs in all sectors of human endeavour.

Adamu charged polytechnics to breed the necessary professionals required in the country to accellarate development in science and technology.

He said that the polytechnics must also serve as centres for entreprenural education, to prepare the youths for self reliance.

The minister commended the polytechnic for the provision of critical infrastructure which would place the institution in a vantage poistion to serve the country better.

Adamu warned students against indulging in issues inimical to their future, including examination malpractice, cultism and other deviant forms.

In his remarks, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi advised the graduates to embrace agriculture instead of waiting for white collar jobs.

He used the occasion to urge the Academic Staff Union of Universities to amicably resolve all issues it has with government.

Bagudu assured that the state government would continue to settle the tuition and registration fees of indigent students from the state studying in tertiary institutions.

Earlier, Mr Sani Zuru, the Rector of the polytechnic said 6, 351 students graduated, out of which 238 had distinctions, 1, 338 had upper credits, 1, 754 lower credits and 1, 454 obtained pass grades.

He listed some of the challenges facing the polytechnic to include inadequate manpower and funding, and called for support from private organisations.(NAN)

BKD/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-23

Reconstruction

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe Government on Saturday awarded N1.16 billion contract for the reconstruction of three secondary schools in three senatorial districts of the state.

Alhaji Muhammad Lamin, the state Commissioner for Education, signed the contracts on behalf of the state government in Damaturu.

He told the contractors that the government would not condone shabby execution of the projects.

Lamin said that the three schools were carefully selected to create enabling environment for academic excellence.

“On behalf of the state government, let me make it abundantly clear to all contractors that, you must live up to the contractual agreements for government to get value for its money.

“You must be guided by the time frame stipulated in the contractual agreement to complete the work because, government will not entertain any delay.

“Permit me to also make it clear that, there is no room for variation in these projects because, you made the quotations and indicated that you have the capacity to execute the projects within the specified time frame,” he said.

The commissioner said the award of the contracts in the midst of financial challenges, was an indication of the administration’s commitment to education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that N333.029 million contract was for the reconstruction of GSS Fika; N429.916 million for GSS Gwio-Kura, and N405.940 million to reconstruct GSS Yunusari.(NAN)

MM/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-HG-1
Screening
(Misau) Bauchi,Nov.26,2016 The Diabetes Association of Nigeria(DAN), Bauchi State chapter, on Saturday  in Misau, embarked on free screening of diabetes as part of its activities aimed at sensitizing members of the public on the ailment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, which will last two days, is part of activities organised by the association to mark the World Diabetes Day.

In his speech, National President of Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) whose graced the occasion,  Dr Mohammed Alkali, said  many people living with the ailment were unaware that they had it, hence the need to embark on public screening.

He said the ailment had become a source of concern globally that called for massive awareness on the part of the people.

According to him, a strategy of involving dwellers across all communities is a pro-active approach that will awaken the people to know their diabetic status.

“Some people are going about their normal businesses without knowing that they have diabetes.
“The ailment is not only hereditary, but can also be acquired, as such free screening would awaken people in knowing their diabetic status,” he said.
Mohammed, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), Bauchi, commended the Bauchi chapter of DAN for conducting the exercise.

Also speaking, Chairperson of DAN, Bauchi state, Mrs Miriam Illiya, said research had confirmed that diabetes ailment was not only hereditary, but also associated with pattern of life style.
“The screening is to encourage the public know their status and also be conducting the exercise at individual level, after every six months,” she said.
She called on parents to screen their children as the ailment could also manifest in them, dispelling the long held erroneous notion that kids could not be diabetic.

“‘Diabetes is also found in children, therefore the screening should include people of all ages,” she advised.

In his remark, the Chief Medical Director, Misau General Hospital, Dr Aminu Bakunawa, thanked the association for selecting Misau Locl Government and the hospital facility, for the exercise.(NAN)
AE/ASH/ASH

NAN-H-29
By Segun Giwa
Alagbon Ilaje (Ondo State), Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of the Alagbon community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday, complained that the card reader was displaying “voting after election” during the election.

Mr Isiah Adewole, a community leader at St Louis Ward 2, Unit 22, said he was the first to be accredited but
to his surprise, the card reader was displaying, “voting after election”.

Adewole said that he had to cry out because he
believed that with that display, the vote cast was a waste of
time.

“I came to vote around 8 a.m. and when I
voted, the card was displaying I was voting after
election,” he said.

Esau Edawole, also a community leader in the
area, said he got to the polling unit, the Presiding
Officer (PO) told him that the machine was malfunctioning.

Edawole said the PO had to call her superiors
to replace the machine and the one they brought was still
malfunctioning and voting could not start as at 11 am at the unit.

Mr Wole Ogunyemi, the Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) also confirmed the claims of the community leaders.

However, all efforts made by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to speak with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed, as non of them could be contacted in the riverine area.

(NAN)
GSD/YEMI

NAN-H-28

Cultism

By Sunday John

Lafia, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Management of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia has threatened to handover any student caught indulging in cultism to the police for prosecution.

The Rector, Dr Silas Gyar, made the threat on Saturday in Lafia at the matriculation ceremony of the students of the Consultancy Services Unit of the institution.

Gyar, who was represented by Luis John-Ogah, Dean School of General Studies, said that the Polytechnic had zero tolerance for cultism.

He advised those who were members of cult groups before gaining admission to denounce their membership of such unholy group before they are caught.

The rector explained that anyone caught engaging in cultism in the school would be expelled and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

“The management under my watch has taken this step in order to sanitise the system and to ensure totally eradication of bad eggs among the students.

“You must attend lectures at all times as 70 per cent attendance is the pre-requisite to write examination and be prepared to cross many huddles, adhere to the rules and regulations of the polytechnic.

“Anyone caught indulging in other social vices such as examination malpractice, drunkenness, drug abuse, indecent dressing, idolatry among others will face disciplinary committees and be sanction accordingly.

However, Rabiu Omaku and Rebecca John, who are new students, said that they would abide by the rules of the school in order to achieve the purpose of gaining admissions into the polytechnic.

A total of 409 new students were matriculated on Thursday. (NAN)

SDJ/JPE/MO

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Morayo Omolade
================

NAN-H-27
Thumbprint
By Mufutau Adediran
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) There was mild drama on Saturday in Ondo town as the card reader deployed for the governorship election rejected Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s thumbprint when he wanted to vote at his Ward 7, Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo West Local Government Area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mimiko had to fill the incident form before he was finally allowed to cast his vote at about 12 noon.
Speaking shortly after casting his vote, the governor said he would resist any attempt to manipulate the election in favour of any political party.
“Ondo people will not allow any form of rigging or manipulation through the card reader or any other form,” he said.
No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards would decide who the governor would be out of the 28 contestants in Saturday’s governorship election.
Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, 378,606 did not turn up to collect their PVCs.
Among the major contestants are Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, Dr Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy. (NAN)
MA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-25
Poll
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016(NAN) Mr Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP candidate in Saturday’s governorship election, has expressed satisfaction with the accreditation and voting process.

He also called on the electorate to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Jegede spoke while voting at his   Unit 9 Ward 2, Gbogi/Isikan, Sacred Heart Primary School 1 in Akure South Local Government Area.

He expressed satisfaction with the voting process, saying it was peaceful and orderly.

Jegede, however, urged INEC to tackle the challenge of faulty smart card readers in polling units.

“I have discussed with the REC Ondo State on the problems with card readers at most polling units,’’ he added.

Also speaking, the governorship candidate of the  Alliance for Democracy, lamented the malfunctioning of the card readers deployed by INEC.

Oke said this in an interview with newsmen after he had voted at his Igbo Ward III Polling Unit 005.

“I am not easily frustrated, but it is embarrassing as a candidate that the card reader could not easily capture my hand,’’ he said.

Oke noted that the electoral process in the country was not a perfect one yet.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Oke voted at 9.17 a.m.

The AD candidate, however, said he was impressed with the turnout of voters in Ilaje  council area.(NAN)
REPORTERS/OJO
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