Blog

NAN-H-95
Election
Akure, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) A Coalition of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Accredited Domestic Observer Groups for Ondo State 2016 governorship election had condemned calls for postponement of the poll from some quarters.

The groups are; Centre for Strategy, Ethics and Value, Northern Socio-Cultural Initiative, Committee of National Patriot and Africa Initiative for Sustainable and Positive Development.

The Spokesman of the group, Mr Ali Abacha, said in Akure on Thursday that the electoral body and security agencies were fully prepared for the poll,
hence there was no need to postpone it.

He said that “having carefully observed the political situation in Ondo State ahead of the Nov. 26, 2016 governorship election, we hereby call on INEC to go ahead with the election, as there is no cogent reason to postpone the election.

“INEC should not be distracted, rather, it should remain focused and committed to ensuring credible, transparent and peaceful election in Ondo State.

“We, the accredited civil society groups, have deployed our observers across the state for effective election observation and reportage.”

According to him, there are assurances from various heads of security agents in the state, guaranteeing peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.

He, therefore, urged eligible voters in the state to come out en mass to choose a candidate of their choice without fear of any kind.

Abacha, who is the Coordinator of Northern Socio-Cultural Initiative, said the group has confidence on the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic values.

He,however, advised the President to call security heads to order, especially on election day. (NAN)
OMA/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Police arraign man for alleged attempt to rape married woman

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Rape
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Police on Thursday arraigned one Sa’idu Bello of Rafin Tukurwa, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, at Upper Customary Court I, Sabongari, Zaria, for an alleged attempt to rape a married woman.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Bashir Abdullah, told the court that on Oct. 11, at about 11 a.m, one Amina Shehu of Rafin Tukurwa village reported the case at Sabongari police station.

Abdullah said the woman told the police that she intended going to Funtua town in Katsina State and she was trekking from the village to the main road as there was no vehicle to convey her.

He said on her my way to the main road, the accused came out from a bush, attacked the woman with a knife and threatened to kill her if she refused to accept his demand for sexual intercourse.

Abdullah said the woman said while struggling to escape and save her life, the accused stabbed her with the knife and she escaped with several injuries on different parts of her body.

“She, however, said she was lucky to have hit his manhood before she finally escaped,” the prosecutor said.

When the police contacted the accused who was responding to treatment at a hospital in Giwa area, he denied the allegation levelled against him.

The accused said it was the woman who got him intoxicated after she served him with a cup of tea and a bottle of Maltina at Bomo junction, after which she attempted to remove his manhood.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to sections 232 and 116 Penal Code of Kaduna State.

The Presiding Judge, Mrs Docas Atung, adjourned the case to Nov. 28 for hearing. (NAN)
KLM/ORO/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

60% of corruption cases in Nigeria are procurement related – ICPC

NAN-H-55
Procurement
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says 60 per cent of corruption cases in Nigeria are procurement oriented.

Dr Anthony Onyilimba, the Deputy Commissioner, Procurement, ICPC, disclosed this at the 7th Annual Conference and Award Night of the Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference has the theme “Efficient Procurement Practice and Sustainability in an Economy under Recession’’.

He said that procurement was one of the indices used by the Transparency International in assessing countries, saying it is the basis for establishment of anticorruption agencies by the government in the country.

According to him, it is well known that corruption is endemic in Nigeria and the negative effects of this insidious scourge are apparent in all sphere of our national life.

He stressed that epileptic power supply, high rate of youth unemployment, poor state of our roads as well as general degradation of public utilities and services were all effects of corruption.

Onyilimba charged the institute to be in the forefront in consolidating a corrupt-free state of dignified people, who should uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in the discharge of their duties.

“CIPSMN in its bid to lead the war against corruption in the area of procurement should ensure that its members adhere to the law and regulations guiding procurement practice.

“Non-conforming members should be punished in line with the professional code of ethics, as that would serve as a deterrent to others and those that are not ready to change must be shown the way out.

“Sound procurement policies and practices are among the essential elements of good governance, mainly as it affects the public sector.

“Good practices reduce cost and produce timely results by ensuring the efficient and effective utilsation of resources and value for money, while poor practices lead to waste and delay,’’ he said.

The deputy commissioner said the commission had set up Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in all MDAs to ensure that every segment of the public sector was brought under the watchful eye of ICPC.

He said the main function of ACTUs was for them to act as watch dogs in their various organisations, since they were closer and therefore know what happens within. (NAN)
OYS/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Total loses N22 to lead losers’ table on NSE

NAN-H-54

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Total Nigeria Plc on Thursday for the third consecutive day led the losers’ chart on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) forcing the All-Share Index to drop by 0.10 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Total dropped by N22 to close at N223 per share.

Okomuoil trailed with a loss of N1.92 to close at N40.08, while Forte Oil was down by N1 to close at N69 per share.

International Breweries lost 80k to close at N18.70 and Nigerian Breweries depreciated by 32k to close at N141 per share.

Consequently, the All-Share Index shed 26.30 points or 0.10 per cent to close at 25,490.70 against 25,517.00 achieved on Wednesday.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N8.784 trillion shed N10 billion to close at N8.774 trillion posted on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Mobil Oil topped the gainers’ table, growing by N3.99 to close at N199.02 per share.

Flour Mills came second with a gain of 75k to close at N19.49 and Guaranty Trust Bank chalked up 21k to close at N21.52 per share.

Africa Prudential gained 13k to close at N2.79 and FBN Holding improved by 5k to close at N3.05 per share.

International Breweries drove the turnover volume with a total of 22.01 million shares worth N411.57 million.

It was followed by Access Bank with 20.03 million shares valued at N112.37 and GT Bank transacted 11.39 million shares worth N245.25 million.

Transcorp sold 9.91 million shares valued at N7.07 million and FBN Holdings accounted for 7.19 million shares worth N21.91 million.

In all, investors bought and sold a total of 97.14 million shares valued at N1.14 billion transacted in 1,929 deals.

NAN reports that this is in contrast with a turnover of 165.73 million shares worth N1.13 billion achieved in 2,484 deals on Wednesday. (NAN)
JNC/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

‎NAN-H-‎97
‎FRSC
‎By Mercy Osajiugo
‎Minna, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on organisations in Niger to take advantage of the free driving training as “Ember Months’’ lasts.

‎The Sector Commander, Mrs Susan Ajenge, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Minna.‎
‎
She said that FRSC had  sensitised various organisations on the free-driving training, adding that “it is left for organisations to mobilise their staff for the training’’.

“The essence ‎is to ensure accident-free season.

“We implore every organisation, either government or private institutions, to take advantage of ‎this package.

“We are ready to give the training to as many organisations that demand. It is free and no token attached,’’ she said.‎ (NAN)
MNO‎/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi) ‎

NAN-H-73
Hostel
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The management of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, on Thursday said structural engineers have been dispatched to ascertain the level of damages at a female hostel razed by fire.

Dr Charles Oni, the college Director, Public Relations Unit, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Oni said that the findings of the engineers would assist the management in its next line of action.

NAN reports that an early morning inferno had on Wednesday destroyed 20 rooms at the Bakassi Female Hostel in the campus.

The inferno was said to have started at about 5.20 a.m. when the school generator was switched on following a power outage.

Oni said, “Structural engineers are presently inspecting the building to determine the level of damage and make recommendations to the management.

“We cannot demolish the entire building because it is a huge project, and we do not have the funds to carry out such project.

“Investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire in the hostel.

“There are many different versions of what led to the fire outbreak, but the management is combing everywhere to look for facts.’’ The college’s spokesman said that residents of the hostel had been evacuated for safety.

On compensation for the victims, Oni said that the management would make its decision known after the investigation.

NAN reports that Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, had on Wednesday visited 13 students receiving treatment at the college medical centre and the Military Hospital, Yaba.

The management had also suspended all academic activities in the campus. (NAN)
OOG/FF/GOK
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye

FG to begin processing cassava leaves as livestock feeds to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes
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Leaves
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has commenced strategies to develop cassava leaves value chain into livestock feeds to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes in the country.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this at a seminar on `Unlocking the Potentials of Cassava Leaves as Livestock feed in Nigeria’ in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the seminar, organised by the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), was a wake-up call for stakeholders to deliberate on harnessing the potentials of cassava leaves.
Represented by Dr Egejuru Eze, Director, Animal Production and Husbandry Services in the ministry, Ogbeh said that the livestock industry had been bedevilled by stagnant practices hence, the clashes.
The minister said that livestock had the potential for increased productivity, including milk yield and body weight, when fed with cassava leaves.
According to him, cassava leaves has been found to be a good source of crude protein when made into silage.
Ogbeh said that the cassava leaves value chain would also create jobs for youths and enable farmers make more money from the sale of the leaves.
“Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with a production figure of 50 million metric tonnes.
“Cassava is a major food crop in Nigeria.
“It is strategically valued for its role in food security, poverty alleviation and a source of raw materials for agro-allied industries in Nigeria with huge potential for export market.
“It provides livelihood for over 30 million farmers,’’ the minister said.
Dr Olufemi Oladunni, Acting Executive Director of ARMTI, said the institute’s mission was to identify problems and develop appropriate interventions to improve managerial practice in the agricultural sector.
“ We gather policy makers, academics, practitioners and other stakeholders to facilitate a constructive discussion on policy development to tackle pertinent issues in agriculture.
“ The incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes, the grossly below optimum yield in livestock production and constant price hikes and scarcity of livestock products need speedy action.
“If we tackle agriculture challenges with effectiveness and efficiency in our practice, the scarcity of food, inflation, poverty, unemployment of youths will be minimal,’’ he said.
In a lecture, Prof. Dolapo Lufadeju, an agriculture development consultant, said Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, producing 50 million metric tonnes annually and providing livelihood to millions.
Lufadeju said that the initiative of cassava leaves to feed livestock would encourage men and women and create employment for the youth.
“Cassava is a major staple crop that can be used to promote rural industrialisation, starch, adhesive, exotic food, condiments and proven export foreign exchange earners.
“It can be successfully grown in marginal soil, hardiness and tolerance to adverse conditions,’’ he said.
He added that the world cassava production was about 165 million metric tonnes per annum and about 50 per cent was produced by Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand and Zaire. (NAN)
ROK/LAB/WOJ
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(Edited by Lydia Beshel / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-S-18
Camping
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC of Ilorin FC will camp in Lokoja, Kogi ahead of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The team’s Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, made the disclosure while addressing players after their training on Thursday in Ilorin.

Chukwuemeka thanked the players for their effort to get the club back to the apex league.

He assured them that their welfare would be top priority as always, adding that the club’s Proprietor, Dr Bukola Saraki, was happy with them for making him proud.

Chukwuemeka explained that the team would stay one week in Ilorin to look at new players and move to closed camping in Lokoja.

The ABS director of football said the club’s chairman, Seni Saraki, had taken over the team’s welfare to make it top priority.

He said that the league would not be an exception but would bring more goodies.

Chukwuemeka reminded the players of the team’s sojourn in its first appearance in the Premier League few years ago which earned it the title, “giant killers’’.

“We must be ready to take the league by storm again.

`We were once nicknamed “Giant Killers’’ because we always give our opponents a run for their money.

“I believe in you guys and if you want to make a name for yourself, the time is now.

“You will now rub shoulders with the big boys, so you must be ready to behave like one,’’ Chukwuemeka said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that ABS whipped Gateway United FC of Abeokuta 4-1 on the final day of the Nigeria National League (NNL) season to secure a Premier League place. (NAN)
OOH/DE/PDE
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-DS-6

Accidents

By Angela Atabo

Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Thursday identified the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja–Lokoja roads as corridors with the highest accident rate with a record of more than 87 cases in September.

A report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja showed that a total of 819 crashes involving 1,318 vehicles were recorded across the country in the month of September.

According to the report, on State basis, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded the highest number of crashes with 117 cases involving 671 persons that resulted to 15 deaths and 226 injured persons.

“Kaduna State is next with 60 reported crash cases involving 461, killing 44 and injuring 250 others, while Niger , Ogun, Nasarawa and Lagos states also recorded high rate of crashs in September.’’

The report said that speed violation accounted for the highest probable cause of the crashes in the month under review, while dangerous driving and route violation were also identified as risk factors.

It recommended that the identified routes with the highest crash rate would have special focus of the corps in terms of operational activities to reduce crashes.

The report also recommended that there should be proper signage at construction sites nationwide, especially on the routes with high crash rates to caution drivers rightly.

It also suggested that road safety audits should be conducted at the identified black spots nationwide and special patrols conducted in the commands at least once a week.

According to the report, FRSC will organise speed control patrol nationwide, using the radar guns and other speed calming strategies such as route lining at some points as well as devices warning drivers to slow down.

The report said that mobile courts would be operated strategically on segments with high crash rates.

It also wants post-crash care to be intensified in the identified crash prone areas in collaboration with hospitals around the areas to ensure that affected victims were given befitting medical care.

The report also called for improved funding and logistics for commands along high crash prone routes for effective patrol activities and public enlightenment programmes. (NAN)

ATAB/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

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Degradation
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Environment, Hajia Amina Mohammed, says environment degradation must be checkmated to give a future to the people of the Niger Delta.

Mohammed made the declaration at the 10th Anniversary Symposium of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that the anniversary with the theme: “Oil Spill Management in Nigeria: The Journey So Far’’ was part of the blueprint for oil spill response management through containment, recovery, remediation and restoration.

“NOSDRA is the Federal Government’s institutional framework for environmental regulation of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria to ensure safe environment at the oil producing communities.

“The devastating impacts of oil spills on environment, health and livelihoods of our rural and urban communities have led to land degradation in the Niger Delta.

“These things cause loss of lives, loss of biodiversity, and incidence of disease, poor sanitation as well as the depletion of national revenue base of the communities involved,’’ she said.

She said that there was a growing level of oil spill incidents in the country caused by the activities of illegal bunkering, artisanal refining, oil theft and armed militancy.

She therefore called for all to step up the level of preparedness to effectively respond to the challenges that might be presented by oil spills in the marine environment.

The Director General of NOSDRA, Mr Peter Idabor, said that the discovery of oil in 1956 that was envisaged as a catalyst for attaining economic breakthrough in Nigeria also had negative impact on the environment.

“Given the huge prospects of wealth and development supposedly associated with oil and gas exploration and production, this economic resource has also proven to be environmentally destabilising force.

“This is especially with regards to sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region,’’ he said.

Idabor called for the Oil and Gas Industry to integrate environmental protection alongside economic and social development in the course of exploration, production and distribution.

“We must bear in mind that in an attempt to meet global energy need at an affordable and accessibility ways, we must also be environmentally conscious, ’’ he said. (NAN)
EPA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf