Blog

NAN-H-3
Award
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abdul Kadir Dalhatu, the Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Port 2 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ijora, had been presented an award for innovative and impactful leadership.
A statement by Mr Adeola Rasheed, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the command, made available to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday said the award was given by MSC Africa Magazine.

Rasheed said the Controller was specifically recognised for carrying out impactful reforms at the command since he assumed duty last year.

According to him, some of the reforms include repositioning of the command to one that operates on ICT, mandatory training of officers on ICT, and making the command compliant with 24- hour cargo clearance.

He added that Dalhatu was also recognised for improved revenue generation at the command and for providing exemplary leadership. (NAN)

BHB/AOS/PAD
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni, Peter Dada

NAN-DS-2
Suicide
Maiduguri, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Police Command in Borno on Thursday, confirmed the killing of two persons after a suicide bombing around Muna garage in Maiduguri.

Mr Victor Isuku, the spokesman of the command stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.

“About 2106hours of Wednesday, an explosion occurred at Muna garage along Gamboru Ngala road Maiduguri.

“Two persons, including the suicide bomber, died on the spot while a Mercedes Benz car with registration number, AX 571 ABJ, parked by the road side was damaged by the impact of the explosion,” Isuku said.

He said that normalcy had returned to the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that last Friday, a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives at the entrance of Muna garage, killing himself alone.

Another bomber killed himself and two vigilantes a few metres away from Gamboru-Ngala road, almost the same time while another bomber was killed before gaining entry into the Custom House refugee camp, the same Friday.(NAN)
ABI/DUA/IS
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Ismail Abdulaziz
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NAN-DS-1

Safety

By Maureen Ojinaka

Enugu, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has urged motorists to always use the seat belt while driving as it can lessen the severity of injury in case of an accident.

The FRSC Zonal Legal Officer in Enugu, Mr Morison Agulanna, gave the advise in interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday.

He said the use of seat belt in vehicles had gone a long way to reduce death rate and injury on Nigerian roads.

“Proper use of seat belt reduces severity of injury and fatality at the point of crash on the road,’’ he said.

According to Agulanna, the enforcement of the use of the seat belt began in Nigeria in 2007, while  other nations of the world have made it mandatory for every motorist to wear the seat belt and sit in perfect driving position.

“Wearing a seat belt is a traffic regulation in every part of the world.

“The seat belt when worn in proper order in your normal driving posture keeps you seated no matter how hard the impact is.

“There are many accidents where the driver is thrown out of the car and this can be fatal,’’ he said.

He said no matter the number of security features a vehicle had, motorist should not underestimate the worth of the seat belt.

“Also, no matter how expert a driver is, he or she must share the road with others.

“That is why FRSC insists that every driver wears safety seat belt,” he added. (NAN)
OJI/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Mrs Buhari urges leaders in Lake Chad basin to assist refugees, IDPs

By Ahmed Ubandoma

NAN-114
Refugees
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) ) The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has appealed to leaders of the Lake Chad Basin member-countries to redouble their efforts toward addressing the challenges facing refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Director of Media in the Office of the Wife of the President, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo.

The statement said that Mrs Buhari made the appeal while speaking at a meeting with President Mahamadou Yousufu of Niger Republic, in Niamey.

The statement also said the wife of the president was represented at the meeting by the wife of Kebbi state governor, Mrs Zainab Bagudu, the leader of her technical committee.

Mrs Buhari said that the committee was in Niamey to conceptualise the proposed mobilisation of stakeholders for greater attention to the plight of refugees and IDPs.

The statement quoted Mrs Buhari as saying that, most of the refugees and the IDPs in the region were women and children “that are more vulnerable” and thereby needed urgent attention.

In his remarks, President Yousufu pledged to support the initiatives of the wife of Nigeria’s President and her Nigerien counterpart.

The statement said the technical committee also met with Mrs Malika Yousufu, wife of the Niger Republic President, ahead of the December’s deliberations meant to bring succour to the refugees in the Lake Chad Basin countries.

“The committee also agreed to widen the scope of its intervention to include Benin Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso.

“It is to address the humanitarian crises concerning refugees in those countries which share borders with countries in the Lake Chad basin.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Buhari has championed advocacy for special attention to the plight of the IDPs and victims of insurgency through her  “Future Assured” and  “Get Involved” initiatives. (NAN)
AMU/SYC/DCU
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Edited by Ismaila Chafe and Donald Ugwu

NAN-H-118
Jobs
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The federal government has concluded arrangement for the recruitment of 200,000 youths in fulfillment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s social intervention programme.

The recruits, according to Vice Presidential Spokesman, Laolu Akande are the first batch of the 500,000 to be recruited into the N-power programme.

He told correspondents that the youths were being posted to various states to begin work on Dec. 1 as teachers, agriculture extension workers and public health officials.

Cue in audio

“In fulfillment of the President’s promise to hire half a million unemployed Nigerian graduates the first batch of 200,000 have now been engaged.

“What is happening now is that the state governments are going to be deploying those 200,000 to the three specific areas of need that have been identified under the N-Power programme.

“These areas are: education where we will have 150,000 of those selected in the first batch who will be teaching assistants helping in the schools in the states.

“Then we are going to have 30,000 who will work as agricultural extension workers in needs that had existed for a long time; and the Federal Government is going to be funding that.

“Then there will be 20,000 that will be working in the community health programme.’’

Cue out audio

Akande said that between the time of the selection and Dec. 1, when those selected would begin work and earn stipends, the 36 states and FCT would be receiving the list of the recruits for their various states.

He said that three transparent criteria were used for the selection one of which was that 40 per cent of all applicants per state were selected.

He said the balance of 60 per cent was split to give special consideration to the six North East states which suffered insurgency.

He added that the third criterion was that consideration was given to states with lowest applications.

“The process is a very transparent one; we even tested the list before we released it; they were cross checked.

“The application was online and in some states with internet problems their leaders got the data from the people and uploaded them,’’ he said.

Akande said that the essence of the recruitment was to solve problems in the communities while those recruited would be posted to their places of residence.

He said that if any kind of discrepancy was found it would be corrected without delay.

He said the recruits would be issued with tablets having various entrepreneurship applications which they would own at the end of the intervention programme.

According to him, at the end of the two year period of the programme the youths would be better empowered as government expected better economy then.

“This is an intervention programme that will last for two years,’’ he added.

He said that government was working in partnership with the private sector to provide jobs for the youth at the end of the intervention.

“We do believe that the private sector is the one that can actually create jobs and government is working on several issues such as ease of doing business and others to spur the economy for the private sector to create jobs.

“We believe that in two years there will be more permanent jobs for many of them and that a good number of them will be ready to do things for themselves because the programme itself would have empowered them during the duration,’’ he added

The Spokesman hinted that the intervention programme would not end in the 2016 budget cycle as proposals were on to appropriate another N500 billion for social intervention programmes in the 2017 budget.

Akande said that the outstanding 300,000 youths would still be hired early next year explaining that the 200,000 was the first phase of the programme.(NAN)
DCU/IS
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-111

Fire

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The Rector, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Dr Margaret Ladipo, on Wednesday visited 13 students of the institution on admission at the College Medical Centre and the Military Hospital, Yaba.

The students were admitted following the fire accident in one of the college hostels in the early hours of the day.

Mr Charles Oni, the spokesperson of the college, said in a statement in Lagos that the rector prayed for the students and gave them monetary gifts, among others.

Oni said that the rector reassured the students that the management was with them and would always be by their side in ensuring they return to their studies before the weekend.

“Already, efforts are in top gear to redistribute the affected students into other available hostels pending the repair of the burnt two floors,’’ he quoted the rector as saying.

According to the statement, there were moves as at press time to evacuate students from the Bakassi hostel to allow for structural testing of the entire building following the accident.

The spokesperson said that Ladipo urged parents not to panic as their children were in safe hands, thanking God that no life was lost to the fire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the management has suspended all academic activities between Wednesday and Friday following the incident. (NAN)

OOG/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

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NAN-HG-22

Empowerment

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Nov.23, 2016 (NAN) Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, says women empowerment guarantees economic growth.

She made the remark at a two day conference of Women International Networking (WIN), with the theme: Leading the Way, in Abuja on Wednesday

According to her, empowering women will help in development of a nation in terms of productivity and competiveness.

She further stated that human capital had become the key in developing a nation and a space waiting for women to be developed as well as support national integration.

Ezekwesili said government should put oil aside and depend on human capital and as well develop industries and entrepreneurship adding that government exists to improve the quality of citizen’s lives.

“There is a profound place to make sure you are not wasting women because empowering women is smart economics.

“ It is an indication that we need deeper conversation that women should build themselves as dynamite.

“ Every one has a purpose and the purpose has to be fulfilled and thinking of how to improve their standard of living.

“No amount of oil can be a substitute to women’’, she said.

She urged women to be fearless and pursue their goals as well as overcome political and economic barriers.

Ezekwesili further encouraged the women to spend time investing in knowledge adding that it was required in achieving their goals.

She said it was realisable for a woman to  aspire and become an important person.

Kristin Engvig, founder, WIN, urged women to collaborate in order to actualize their dreams.

Engvig added that support for each other was essential in helping women realize their potentials as well as develop them.

“ It is time for women to rise and collaborate, be a little more open to each other and line out their dreams.

“ Women should also be quick to contribute, share dreams and support each other.

“They must not listen to any one that dissuades them because it can be heretical and must not accept intolerable behaviours.

“In your life, you must be the one woman who can stand and say I can do it’’, she advised

The founder also admonished women to be committed in pursuit of their dreams adding that it was key in actualizing it. (NAN)

CSO/IEA

Edited by Idahosa Asowata

NAN-S-19

AWCON
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), Al-Hassan Yakmut, says Super Falcons’ 1-1 draw with Ghana at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) is not disappointing.

Yakmut told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the team should put the result behind it and prepare better for their next game.

NAN reports that the defending champions drew with the Black Queens after a trepid second half performance allowed the Ghanaians to hold on and secure a draw.

Asisat had in the 22^nd minute put the Nigerian side in the lead for her fifth goal from two matches at the competition.

Elizabeth Addo drew Ghana level from a penalty kick in the 44^th minute, for both teams to stand at four points each after two Group B games each.

“The 1-1 draw is one result that I was afraid of. But be it as it may, we will qualify for the next round. The team should now be more focussed and determined to win the trophy.

“For the technical crew, they should be more tactical in their approach, with emphasis on the weakness of their opponents,’’ Yakmut said.

He said the next stage of play would be tough, hence the need for the Falcons to work on their lapses and play according to instructions.

Commenting also, Tunde Kazeem, the Kwara Director of Sports, commended the team and urged the players to put in more efforts.

“This is a good development. But I hope they will make up for it in their next game,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria had earlier thrashed Mali 6-0 while Ghana had defeated Kenya 3-1 in their respective opening games.(NAN)
DE/

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-F-21
Brexit
London, Nov. 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN)Britain has abandoned its plans to reach a budget surplus by 2019-20, as official forecasts show a weakened gross domestic product and rising debt in the wake of exiting the European Union.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, confirmed the economic slowdown in his first budget speech since the June referendum.

Hammond revealed that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had slashed its growth forecasts from 2.2 per cent in March to 1.4 per cent.

He predicted an increased debt until 2018, rising from 84.2 per cent of GDP in 2015-16 to 87.3 per cent in the 2016-17 and 90.2 per cent in 2017-18.

Hammond said that the OBR report reflected the “underlying strength and resilience” of the British economy, but acknowledged the toll that Brexit-related uncertainty is taking.

The Chancellor cited higher inflation caused by the depreciation of the pound which has weakened consumer demand and greater uncertainty which has reduced investment levels.

He confirmed that Britain would be sticking to its plan of decreasing corporation tax from 20 per cent to 17 per cent by 2020.

There was speculation after Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday that the government may announce a further drop in corporation tax to stay competitive.

Hammond announced a crackdown on tax avoidance by multinationals, with an estimated 5 billion pounds (6.2 billion dollars) to be raised from the largest businesses in Britain.

The government also offered a number of minor everyday concessions to the British public to compensate for rising inflation, which is predicted to negatively impact living standards.

These included an increase in national living wage in April from 7.20 pounds an hour to 7.50 pounds an hour and a freeze on fuel duty.

John McDonnell, Hammond’s counterpart in the opposition centre-left Labour party, urged the government to keep Britain in the EU single market in response to the budget speech.

May, who has been criticised for lacking clarity in her plan to take Britain out of the EU, has so far declined to say if leaving the single market is a “red line” in her Brexit negotiations.(dpa/NAN)
IAA/AMY

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-HG-21
Violence

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Some gender advocacy groups on Wednesday called for intensified campaign against violence on women and children.

The groups made the call at a mentoring session held at the American Corner in Ibadan to mark the International Day against Domestic Violence on Women and Children.

The programme was jointly organised by Mentoring Assistance for Youth and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN) and Nigeria Society for Information, Arts and Culture (NSIAC).

Mrs Edem Ossai, Founder of MAYEIN, said the programme was organised to alert the children and re-awaken the consciousness of women on such violence.

Ossai stressed the need for the people to always be conscious of their rights, adding that the realities on ground reflected that the female gender had remained objects of domestic violence and inhuman treatment.

Similarly, Ms Abiade Abiola, a lead discussant at the event quoted the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as saying that one out of every five Nigerian women had experienced one form of violence or the other.

She stated that such violence was not just the physical but could be financial, emotional and psychological.

Abiola stressed that several laws had been enacted against violence on persons but had not been effective due to ignorance, stigmatisation, public outlook of court system and uncooperative attitude of security agencies.

“Every Nigerian has fundamental rights, among which are the right to life, dignity and property. These are rights to be enjoyed irrespective of the gender”, she said.

She said Violence against Persons Act in Nigeria criminalises all forms of violence or discrimination against a person physically, emotionally, financially or psychologically.

Abiola stated that groups had advocated the establishment of family courts to reduce dependence on the conventional courts, adding that such was underway in Oyo State.

Mrs Abiola Olawale, a discussant, urged the people to always speak out at every incident of violence or rape to get help from concerned authorities.

“Let us gather and shame the shameless ones. We have to expose and shame the perpetrators.

“When a rapist is exposed, others will avoid such occurrence. The only way to have people stand for you is to stand for them”, she said.

She urged the youths not to see rape as a pleasure but evil, describing the act of two-some, threesome sex as wrong, evil, abnormal and an insult to womanhood.

According to her, perpetrators and victims could be anyone, so speak out. You are enjoined to always dress properly and set boundaries in all relationships to avoid being a victim.

“Something that breaks my heart is that in spite of all the laws, we still have increase of the heinous acts.”

Olawale, who urged government institutions responsible for curbing the act to be proactive, stated that an extreme action might be inevitable on the failure of lawful institutions.

She advocated the use of social media in creating the awareness, describing it as a powerful tool that will be helpful to individuals and groups.

Mrs Adejoke Scott-Emuakpor, the Coordinator, American Corner, Ibadan (ACI), stated that the corner was established to promote mutual understanding between the people of the host country and the US people.

She stated that ACI holds public lectures, training, book reading clubs, conversations cafe, contests, and summer reading programmes, round table discussions and film shows.

Scott-Emuakpor urged Nigerians to take advantage of the laudable programs and facilities at the corner to develop selves.

The event featured video shows, drama and tutoring of youths on the various advocacy strategies. (NAN)

TAA/EAL/IEA
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idahosa Asowata