Blog

NAN-H-27
Hospitality
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Some tourism experts on Wednesday advised operators in the industry to always project the corporate image of the country positively to boost their patronage.
They said this at a conference with the theme: “Tourism and Hospitality in Nigeria, Understanding the challenges, taking the opportunities’’ held in Lagos.
They said this was one of the best ways the operators could break-even in the face of the present economic recession.
Mr Yemi Johnson, the Digital Marketing Manager of Hotel. Ng, said that everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry must always project the image of the country positively to their clients and intending tourists.
Johnson said that this would create good impressions about the country in the minds of the intending tourists.
“Tell beautiful stories as regards the country and you will see everything falling in shape.
“ We can propagate good stories about Nigerians instead of exaggerating problems of insecurity, power outage and more,” he said.
Also, Mr Bruce Prins, the Operations Manager of MP Hotels said that hoteliers should avoid price bargaining for their hotel rooms.
Prins said that this act would result in a drop in the quality of service rendered to their guests , make it difficult for the operators to increase the rooms’ rates later.
This would cause the devaluation of the local hospitality industry, he said.
Prins said that hoteliers needed to focus on increasing revenue from their facilities and not occupancy, stay proactive not reactive.
“You should have a fixed rate for each category of hotel rooms to allow for uniformity, when you render good services, customers will keep coming in,” he said.
Another speaker, Mrs Ifeoma Nwabachili from Wavecrest College of Hospitality admonished hoteliers to work greatly on their employee’s attitudes to customers.
She said that neatness should be every hotel’s watchword.
“ Every employee in a hotel should be accommodating and caring to keep customers coming in, “she said.(NAN)
PTB/PAD
=======
Edited by Peter Dada

NAN-DS-4
Review
By Angela Atabo
Abuja Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it will submit a proposal to the Joint Task Board of the commission for a review of the drivers license fees due to exchange rate.

Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal made this known on Wednesday at the capacity building workshop for Sector Heads of Drivers License Centres in Abuja.

Oyeyemi said that the review was necessitated by the prevailing foreign exchange and capacity; hence the corps was considering forwarding a submission for the price review because the system could not continue running this way.

He said that since the introduction of the national drivers license, it had undergone different metamorphosis.

“It went from the national drivers’ license to enhanced drivers license to customised drivers license to what we have today,’’ he said.

The corps marshal said that the road task made it compulsory for all drivers to either renew their licenses or go for the fresh ones.

He said that with the joint task board decision, the validity had been increased from three to five years with options of either renewing for three years with N6, 350 or five years with 10, 350 respectively.

“FRSC is considering forwarding a proposal to the Joint Task Board to consider marginal increase in the cost of drivers’ license because the prices of materials being used have gone up.

“This current price has been on for the past six years and when this scheme started, the exchange rate was N150 to a dollar now dollar’s official rate is over N300.

“This is about a hundred per cent increase; so you will agree with me that there is no way the price regime can be sustained because of the prevailing exchange rate.

“So a review of the prices is necessary; the corps is not increasing the price but forwarding a proposal to consider a marginal increase to be able to meet the operating cost,’’ he said.

Oyeyemi said that the review would not be instantaneous as there were processes involved.

He said that once the joint task board considered and approved the proposal, it would go to the states since it was their responsibility to distribute “as FRSC only produces for the states’’.

The corps marshal said that work stations were being opened up for effective coverage of the nation, adding that before the end of November, 12 work stations would be added.

He said that this would raise the current number from 201 to 288 from now till March 2017.

He said that the workshop with the theme: “Upholding the security and integrity of the National Driver’s License’’ was apt as it would afford the commission the opportunity to discuss on the integrity of the drivers.

“I am not claiming that we are running at hundred per cent perfection, thus the essence of the workshop is to assure the public that we will continue to strive for excellence.

“And with the change mantra, I strongly believe that it is time for attitudinal change for those indulging in violating procedures.

“And to remove them, punish them and replace them with good and upright ones,’’ he said. (NAN)
ATAB/FF/GY
==========

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-26
Safety
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Wednesday pledged to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure an accident-free Christmas season.

Alhaji Kazeem Adekanye, the Council Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, made the pledge when he visited the Omu-Aran Unit of the corps.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly appointed chairman had visited the Omu-Aran Area Police Command on the need to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

Adekeye said that the collaboration with FRSC was necessary in view of increased traffic on highways during festive periods.

The chairman said that the council would do its best to assist in reducing road crashes and casualties.

“Although our administration is meant to be a transition committee, we shall not relent in our collective efforts toward ensuring that our roads are free and safe,” he said.

Adekanye praised the officers and men of the corps for dedication to duty.

Responding, the FRSC Officer in charge of Operations in the unit, Mr Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem, expressed delight at the proposed collaboration.
According to Abdulkareem, human error accounts for the majority of accidents on the roads.
He said that these errors included excessive speeding, driving under alcohol influence and lack of consideration for other road users.
The officer said that arrangement had been concluded to begin the unit’s `ember’ months’ campaign scheduled.

He gave the assurance that the corps would raise more awareness on right of way.

He added that FRSC had intensified sensitisation of commercial drivers and commercial motorcyclists to the gains of complying with traffic rules and regulations.

Abdulkareem gave the assurance that the mini clinic of the unit for handling accident and emergency cases was in good condition for optimum performance.
“We shall, on our part, continue to partner and collaborate with the council in ensuring the wellbeing of the people of the council,” he said. (NAN)
ISHO/OSA/IGO
=============
(Edited by Shittu Obassa/ Ijeoma Popoola)

Ondo Govt. promotes 2,212 workers

NAN-H-6

Promotion

Akure,Nov.23,2016(NAN) Ondo State Government has promoted 2, 212 civil servants in 2016, Chairman of the state Civil Service Commission, Dr Afolabi Adewakun, has said.

Adewakun made the disclosure in Akure on Wednesday while briefing workers on the promotion exercise carried out during the year.

“Governor Olusegun Mimiko has always prioritised the welfare of workers.

“It is in this light that he graciously approved the promotion of all deserving officers in the civil service for 2016, despite the difficult times.

“The promoti list was forwarded to the commission by the Office of Head of Service as prepared by the Senior Management Committee for eligible officers.”

He said that the list also contained those forwarded by the Office of Establishments and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The chairman added that the commission had also successfully carried out the conversion of 479 officers from various cadres between 2015 and 2016.

Adewaku challenged the promoted staff to be diligent, hard working, loyal and dedicated to their duties.(NAN)

OMA/TO/MZA
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-HG-17
Food
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Committee of Red Cross (NCRC), said it supported 966,084 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North East and Middle Belt with food rations to last for three months.

The information is in the “Fact and Figures” report of the ICRC covering January to October 2016, made available to journalists participating in a two-day “Humanitarian Reporting” workshop organised by the ICRC on Wednesday in Abuja.

The report noted that beneficiaries comprised of IDPs, returnees and residents in the affected areas of North East and Middle Belt.

It indicated that 282,381 returnees in the affected areas were provided with agricultural inputs to start farming.

The report also showed that 144, 504 IDPs in Borno and Yobe states, as well as victims of urban violence in Port Harcourt, were given cash assistance to enable them to purchase their priority commodities.

In the area of shelter, the report stated that some returnees in Mubi (Adamawa) and people affected by communal clashes in Kaduna and Bangai in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau were supported to rebuild 448 houses, while 32,700 IDPs living in camps in Adamawa and Borno were provided with 5,050 temporary emergency shelters

In the area of health, it showed that 14,035 children were delivered in ICRC supported clinics, while 396,216 patients attended 24 of its supported Primary Healthcare centres and mobile clinics in North East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta.

The ICRC also said that it provided training on International Humanitarian Law to 3,359 army and police personnel deployed to the North East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta. (NAN)
YMU/HA
========

NAN-HE-4

Rates

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) An economist, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, on Wednesday said retaining the current Monetary Policy Rates (MPR) in Nigeria would jeopardise the nation’s chance of getting out of recession.

Uwaleke made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, the decision to retain the MPR and reserve ratios at their present high levels may only help to curtail the pressure in the forex market.

The Monetary Policy Committee had in its bi-monthly meeting the last in the year 2016 retained the MPR at 14 per cent, Cash Reserve Ratio at 22.5 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.

It also retained the Asymmetric Window at +200 and -500 points.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele had said MPC’s decision was hinged on the economic indices playing out in the global and domestic economies.

He also advocated for more fiscal policies in the country.

Uwaleke, a Professor of Finance and Banking, Nasarawa State University, said the decision may possibly slow down the pass on effect of high exchange rate on food and other imported items.

He, however, said the tight MPC decision would make it difficult to jump start growth in the economy.

This, the financial expert said was because an average commercial bank’s lending rate was more than 20 per cent with many businesses choking under high cost of doing business.

“The high MPR at 14 per cent implies high cost of borrowing, not only by individuals and firms but also by the government that is depending on deficit financing to bridge infrastructural gap.

“So, domestic investments are bound to decline with adverse consequences for an economy that has officially recorded a contraction in GDP for three consecutive quarters this year,’’ he said.

According to him, the ripple effect of the present MPC stance will compound the problem of nonperforming loans in banks which is already over 10 per cent ahead of the regulatory threshold of 5 per cent.

Uwaleke said that the high interest rates made repayment of loans more difficult, noting that the stock market which was currently losing investors’ confidence would be the worst hit.

He also said that portfolio investors were bound to revise their portfolios in favour of government securities based on the MPC decision.

The financial expert said that the decision would also make the prices of shares to fall further when investors dispose their shares to invest in government bonds and treasury bills.

This, Uwaleke noted was due to high yields of the bonds caused by the high policy rate of the CBN.

He said he would have wished that the MPR and the reserve ratios were slightly reduced with the CBN putting in place adequate measures to ensure increased liquidity.

The financial expert said it would have resulted in loosening and channeling of funds by Deposit Money Banks to the real sectors of the economy instead of mounting pressure on the forex market.(NAN)

KC/ AOM/EEE

===========

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Ese E. Ekama

NAN-HG-13
Pawpaw
By Tinuade Adeshiyan
Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) A community health expert, Mrs Karounwi Israel, says pawpaw seeds can help in the management of diabetes, stop cancer growth, kill bacteria and heal viral infections.

Israel, the President of KARIS, a non-governmental organisation, which teaches people on many wonders of plants and fruits, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The expert advised people not to discard pawpaw, also known as papaya seeds because of its many health benefits.

“Pawpaw is a good source of vitamin B and C, and one of its numerous health benefits is that it helps in the management of diabetes, but its seeds are also important to human health.

“Papaya seeds contain vital nutrients that help to heal cirrhosis of the liver, kill bacteria, heal viral infections, stop growth of cancer cells, inflammatory disease and kidney problems,” Israel said.

She explained how the seeds could be used in the management of diseases.

“Take five or six dried papaya seeds, grind them or crush them and take them with food or juice, do this every day for 30 days, you will have amazing results.

“Eating a small amount of fresh pawpaw seeds can also help to kill bacteria such as e.coli, Staph, Salmonella and also work well for food poisoning cases.

“It is also a good anti-viral agent helping to heal viral infection and can also help to detox the liver,” Israel said.

According to her, pawpaw seeds contain isothiocyanate which works well for colon, breast, lung, leukaemia and prostate cancer.

“It also contains an alkaloid “Carpaine” that kills intestinal worms and amoeba parasites.

“Pawpaw seeds are anti-inflammatory making them great for arthritis, joint diseases, swelling, pains, and redness,” Israel said.

She said that pawpaw seeds could also be used to make tea and substitute for pepper in food because of its peppery nature.

“As a precaution, pregnant women should not use papaya seeds, this is because it can extend to breastfeeding and may be too powerful to young children’s gastrointestinal tract.

“Additionally, the seed is not too good for men who are trying to impregnate their wives as it can reduce male fertility,” Israel said.

She advised people to always go for medical check to avoid emergency. (NAN)
TAL/ORO/GOK
========
Edited by Razak Owolabi/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-H-24
Divorce
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) An Agege Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed Dec. 15 for judgment in a divorce case filed a businesswoman, Bilikisu Jamiu, over irreconcilable  differences with her husband.

The President of the court, Mr Philip Williams, fixed the date after the petitioner’s husband, Tanimola, told the court that he was not against the divorce

Williams urged the couple to maintain the peace and have a re-think about the divorce as children from broken homes were always stigmatised.

The petitioner, who resides at No. 34 Madamilekun St., Ijoko, Ogun, had urged the court to dissolve her marriage citing irresponsibility, lack of love and proper care for her and their two children.

She alleged that her husband was troublesome, beat her constantly and always accused her of dating different men.

“Whenever he returns home late and l do not open the door for him on time, he descends on me and turns me to a punching bag.

“He beats me to the extent that I always sustain injuries,” she said.

She claimed that her husband constantly reminded her that her mother was not initially in support of the union and beat her repeatedly.

“My husband is irresponsible, violent and too temperamental,” she said.

The petitioner urged the court to dissolve the 13-year- old union and to award her custody of their children.

The respondent, Tanimola, a 38-year-old tricycle rider told the court that his wife, was a flirt and a party freak.

He said trouble started when he saw a bird tattoo on his wife’s backside and told her that he was not in support of such a thing.

“She refused to listen; instead, she increased her waywardness by partying a lot and keeping bad friends.

“Whenever I advice her to distance herself from the type of friends she keeps, my wife insults me and tells me to mind my business.

“I reported her to her mother but she told me not to disturb her daughter, saying as her mother she still goes to parties,” he said.

Tanimola alleged that there were nude pictures in his wife’s phone which she refused to delete after he had asked her to do so.

“She talks to strange people on phone at ungodly hours,’’ he said.

He further alleged that whenever they had any misunderstanding at home, the petitioner reports to her mother, who encourages her to pack out of his house.

“I wholeheartedly agreed to the dissolution of the marriage,’’ he said. (NAN)

LAW/EOB/SOA

==============

(Edited by Edith Bolokor/Oluwole Sogunle)

NAN-AE-6
Herbs
By Martha Agas

Jos, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Mr Suleiman Dilkwa, an agricultural investor, said on Wednesday  that Small-scale Women Farmers of Nigeria (SWOFON) are the largest cultivators of herbs and spices in the country.

Dilkwa, who is the Chairman, Green Sahara Farms, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

He stated that his organisation, a social impact investment company, has been working closely with SWOFON over the years during which they have produced spices such as nutmeg, curry, and thyme.
“We are presently working with 300 women farmers, who are engaged in cultivating spices and have liaised with Tiger Foods Ltd, the second largest producer of spices in Africa, to establish a ready market for their products.
“Spices are widely used in our homes; everybody uses thyme, curry, rosemary, celery and others everyday as spices in our meals,’’ he said.
According to him, the organisation has trained 600 women on Coriander cultivation, farming best practices, group dynamics, rural financing, account and financial management.

He stated that this is in order to improve the farming practices of women farmers in Plateau and to educate them on international best farming practices for improved yield.

He said with the current policy of the government, power has being given to the farmers to play their role in the development of agro-allied and food processing industry.
Dikwa urged the Federal Government to ease small-scale women farmers’ access to micro-credit loans to enable them to expand and sustain their businesses for better yield and improved profit.
“The small-scale women farmers can be used as the pilot scheme for empowerment through access to micro-credit facilities.

“I believe it would have a multiplier effect on various sectors, because they will empower another set of farmers and the chain becomes continuous.

“It will help expand their production through access to farmlands and other farm inputs,’’ he explained. (NAN)
MAA/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

====================

NAN-S-7
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos State Basketball Association (LSBBA) says it will originate 24 coaching centres for the training of youths at the grassroots.

The Chairman of LSBBA, Babs Ogunade, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to him, the essence of the exercise is to have a control on what the youth are being taught in basketball.

He said that the centres would be spread across Lagos state and would begin training in January 2017.

“The centres will have coaches taking charge of youths in each area, imparting the proper rudiments of the game in them.

“We want to have a good control of what coaches are teaching youths; this is why we organised a four-day coaches’ clinic from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18.

“The 33 coaches that took part were trained by well experienced individuals in psychology, physiology, sports management, health management and other technical aspects of the game.

“We certified the successful participants unlike before when we gave all participants a certificate of participation,’’ he told NAN expatiating on the mission of the government in sports development.

“With this structure, we know those coaches than can handle coaching jobs in Lagos State and then we spread them to the hinterlands.

“The essence of this is to clamp down on all those quack coaches who go around teaching the wrong things to young players in the secondary and primary schools and sports ground.’’

Ogunade said the coaches after their certification had been been empowered so that they could impart the right training in the youths.

“The coaches will be the only ones cleared to cater for youths in the primary and secondary schools, so, we are very strict on the development aspect of our youths,’’ he said.

He said that 2016 had been successful regardless of the fact that the association was unable to stage the yearly Lagos City Basketball Championships.

“We are proud of what we have been able to achieve this year though we regret that we could not hold the City championships; this was due to economic situation in the country.

“However, we can count our blessings and celebrate the year with the successful Youth Alive Basketball Championships held earlier in the year.

“Going into 2017, we are determined to have a successful year and this why we want to have good structures on ground,’’ Ogunade said. (NAN)
BAO/IKU/MO/PDE
==============
(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Morayo Omolade/Peter Ejiofor)