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  • Flooding: Sen. Adamu urges FG to boost strategic reserve

    Flooding: Sen. Adamu urges FG to boost strategic reserve

    Flooding

    By Cecilia Ijuo

    Abuja, Sept. 20, 2018(NAN) The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, has called for enhancement of the nation’s strategic reserve following fears of food shortage owing to the spate of flooding in the country.

    Adamu (APC-Nasarawa State), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja.

    He said it had become necessary for the nation to enhance its strategic reserve of the various food items.

    He further called on the Federal Government to ensure price tag for every commodity as a way of forestalling food shortage in the country.

    While sympathising with those who lost property and loved ones to floods in some parts of the country, the lawmaker urged all Nigerians to rise to the occasion.

    “I do not want us to panic. I think we should be more concerned with what to do to tame the situation as much as we can.

    “We should stop lamentation. Instead, we should be out on the field to stop the problem as much as we can.

    “I know there are natural disasters everywhere in the world but we can control the effect or damage that the floods may have caused, ” he said.

    The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja, had on Sept. 17, declared flooding a national disaster in Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra, placing eight others on the watch list.(NAN)

    CJM/AMY

    Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

     

  • 2019: APC governors promise free,transparent primary election

    APC governors promise free, transparent primary election
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
     
    Primary
    Abuja, Sept.20,2018(NAN) Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have promised to support the party’s leadership to ensure free and transparent primary elections to elect the party’s candidates for the 2019 general elections.
    Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, made the promise while speaking with newsmen at the end of a closed-door meeting of the governors held in Abuja.
    The meeting discussed the mode of primaries to be adopted to pick the party’s candidates for all elective offices for the 2019 general elections.
    Okorocha, however, said that most of the APC-controlled states had resolved to adopt indirect primaries to pick the party’s candidates,assuring that all aspirants would be given equal opportunity.
    “We have adopted both direct and indirect primaries, and most of the states are going for indirect primaries, but for the President, it is going to be direct primaries.
    “We just held a meeting with the party’s National Chairman and we have resolved that in support of the party, we are going to have free and fair primaries.
    “Everybody will be given equal chance to participate in the primaries which will be transparent, free and fair,” he said.
    Okorocha assured that both the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC National Working Committee(NEC) were working to ensure victory for the party in the 2019 general elections.
    Also speaking, Gov. Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, explained that it was not possible for all the party members to agree on a particular mode of primaries.
    He said there would always be some that would disagree, but that the decision of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) was that if majority of the State Executive Committee members decided on any mode of primaries, they should go head; it would not matter if one or two members disagreed.
    “And in Kaduna State where I am the Governor by the grace of God, the majority of the State Executive Committee members decided on indirect primaries. If one or two members don’t agree, that’s off, that is not the decision of NEC,”he said.
    Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman, stressed that the task before the party ahead of 2019 general elections was clear.
    “We have a tradition as a progressive party to submit ourselves to the dictates of our party and we believe in internal democracy because we are democrats and democracy must begin from within the house before we can do it outside.
    “All of us, Governors, National Working Committee and even the President, agreed that this is the way to go and that is what we are going to do,” Oshiomhole said.
    Speaking on the alleged crises in the APC, Lagos State chapter, Gov. Ambode and the party’s National leader,Bola Tinubu, Oshiomhole said the state was at peace.
    “I think our party in Lagos is at peace, there are conversations going on at the ward level across the 8,500 wards or there about and across the country.
    “Conversations are going on within the APC family,conversations are going on in each of the 774 Local Governments and across the country.
    “Our party members are negotiating, they are persuading, they are doing compromises, and they are competing, because we are progressing,”he said.
    He maintained that across the 36 states of the federation and at the federal level,activities in the APC were at their peak.
    (NAN)
    EEM/AMY
    Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

  • Market indicators appreciate by 0.33% on NSE

    Market indicators appreciate by 0.33% on NSE

    Shares

    By Lilian Okoro

    Lagos, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Trading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on Thursday on a positive growth, with Lafarge Wapco leading the gainers’ table for the day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crucial market indicators appreciated marginally by 0.33 per cent growth.

    Specifically, the market capitalisation inched N39 billion or 0.33 per cent to close at N11.858 trillion against N11.819 trillion recorded on Wednesday.

    Also, the All-Share Index rose by 105.77 points or 0.33 per cent to close higher at 32,480.89 compared with 32,375.12 posted on Wednesday.

    Lafarge Wapco led the gainers’ table during the day, gaining N2.05 to close at N22.75 per share.

    Guinness followed with a gain of N2 to close at N88, while UACN improved by 90k to close at N11.10 per share.

    Flourmill gained 80K to close at N20.10 and Dangote Sugar up by 65K to close at N14.70 per share.

    On the other hand, Seplat topped the losers’ chart, shedding N6.70 to close at N600 per share.

    Okumu Oil trailed with a loss of N2.90 to close at N77, while CCNN and Nigerian Breweries declined by N1.10 each to close at 23.70 and N89 per share respectively.

    Glaxosmith was down by 65k to close at N14.70 per share.

    Similarly, the volume of shares traded rose by 18.74 per cent, while value of shares transacted increased by 32.20 per cent.

    NAN reports that investors traded a total of 226.027 million shares valued at N2.34 billion in 2,873 deals.

    This was against the 190.353 million shares worth N1.77 billion exchanged in 2,780 deals on Wednesday.

    Nem Insurance was the most active stock, exchanging 39.12 million shares worth N1.29 billion in 16 deals.
    First Aluminium followed with an account of 36.57 million shares valued at N226.04 million in 28 deals, while Zenith Bank traded 20.73 million shares worth N440.42 million in 203 deals.

    Access Bank sold 20.203 million shares valued at N213.71 million in 80 deals, while FBN Holdings exchanged 19.46 million shares worth N98.14 million in 176 deals. (NAN)
    LUC/ABI
    Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

  • Imo assembly passes bill for establishment of cancer centre

    Cancer

    Owerri, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Imo House of Assembly on Thursday passed a bill for the establishment of a cancer centre in the state.

     

    The bill, which was co-sponsored by 15 members of the house, was presented by Mr Uju Onwudiwe, representing Njaba State Constituency.

     

    Onwudiwe said that the bill would create the enabling environment for the setting up of counseling, screening and diagnostic centres in the state.

     

    According to him, the centre, when established, will help patients to have easy access to cancer facility in the state.

     

    He said that the centre would also help to provide other ancillary services, including information, education and enlightenment on preventive measures.

     

    The lawmaker also said that the bill would further help to build the competence of health institutions in the state for the management of cancer.

     

    He further said that the centre would conduct research into various types of cancer, using ultramodern equipment, with the aim of finding solutions and enhancing the quality of life of patients.

     

    Onwudiwe said that the centre would promote the sharing of professional ideas, information and experience with national and international organizations through seminars, workshops, conferences, publications and scientific reports.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill, entitled “A bill for a law to make provisions for the establishment of Imo State Cancer Centre and other related matters,” was considered and passed by a committee of the whole house, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Acho Ihim. (NAN)

    VIN/USO/MNA

    Edited by Sam Oditah/Maureen Atuonwu

     

     

     

     

  • 2019: Sen. Adamu pledges more democracy dividends to constituents

    2019: Sen. Adamu pledges more democracy dividends to constituents

    By Cecilia Ijuo

    Abuja, Sept. 20, 2019(NAN) Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa State), has promised to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of his constituency  if he returns to the Senate in 2019.

    Adamu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

    “My stewardship and representation has added value to the lives of my people.

    “I have brought them facilities which have improved their lots and it is my intention whether as a Senator or as Abdullahi Adamu, to continue to do what God makes possible for me to do to improve the lots of my people.

    “I will continue the good work even if those who are beneficiaries of my goodness turn to oppose my efforts,” he said

    On the decision of the incumbent Commissioner of Education in the state, Tijjani Ahmed, to contest against him for the seat of the Nasarawa West Senatorial district in the 2019 elections, Sen. Adamu,  a two-term Governor of the state, said he would not lose sleep over the matter.

    On retirement from active politics, Adamu said “I am an aspirant for now. If I win and I have a reason to answer this question, I will then answer it.”(NAN)

    CJM/AMY

    Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

  • Osun poll: observer group expresses concern over dissemination of fake news

    Osun poll: observer group expresses concern over dissemination of fake news

    Group
    By Victor Adeoti
    Osogbo, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) An election observer group, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA Africa), has expressed concern over the dissemination of fake news in Osun State.

    Dr Aisha Abdullahi, the Co-Chair of the group project `Watching the Vote,’ said this during the pre-election news conference on Thursday in Osogbo.

    Abdullahi said that misinformation could impact negatively on the outcome of the election.

    She said the group also observed the peaceful and calm atmosphere in the state less than 48 hours to the election, saying “the people of the state should be commended for the peaceful disposition.’’

    Abdullahi also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its level of preparations for the election.

    She however called on the security operatives on election duty to uphold the principles of non-partisanship, transparency and professionalism during the election.

    Abdullahi also said that the group would deploy 500 stationery observers to 250 polling units and 32 mobile observers to all the 30 local government areas of the state. (NAN)
    VE/FF/EAL
    =======
    Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • NDLEA solicits support of community leaders in fight against drug abuse

    Support

    By Tukur Muntari

    Kano, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State, has solicited the support of community leaders and other stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse in the state.

    The state NDLEA Commander, Mr Hamza Umar, made the call at a one-day sensitisation campaign on socio-economic implications of drug abuse in Kano state held at Mumbayya House Kano on Thursday.

    Umar expressed concern over the rate at which drug abuse was increasing, stressing that stringent measures must be put in place, to curtail the menace.

    He said despite the challenges faced by the agency, it was making concerted effort to check the ugly trend in the state.

    He said the achievements so far recorded by the agency in fighting drug abuse were as a result of collaborative efforts with communities and other security agencies in the state.

    The NDLEA commander said even though the importation of codeine syrup was banned by the Federal Government, some unpatriotic citizens were still selling the commodity secretly.

    He added that the agency in collaboration with other security agencies and community associations was working tirelessly to ensure the success of the fight against the menace.

    In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, said the Emirate Council had embarked on massive sensitisation campaign on the ills of drug abuse.

    Sanusi, represented by the District Head of Tudun Wada, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, said the campaign was being carried out through ward heads, imams and village heads. (NAN)

    MTM/EMO
    =========

    Edited by Ejike Obeta

  • Octogenarians, senior citizens stage 3 km “Walk for Life” in Lagos

    Octogenarians, senior citizens stage 3 km “Walk for Life” in Lagos

    Walk

    By Olanrewaju Akojede

    Lagos, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) A former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),Chief Tunde Disu, was among over 200 octogenarians and other senor citizens who staged a three-kilometer “Walk for Life” initiative on Thursday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the health support initiative was put together by an NGO, Charity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People (COWAP).

    The initiative was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigerian Army, Lagos East and Lagos West Local governments, among others.

    The three kilometer started at Apongbon Bridge and ended at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island after which participants received free medical checkup provided by the Army.

    NAN reports that the event was spiced up with the appearance of 85 year-old Mr Rasheed Ali, who was given a nod to participate in the walk after a health screening was conducted on him.

    The 85 year-old Rasheed Ali said he was ecstatic to have joined the train adding that the benefits of the walk made him to join.

    “I want to live healthy in spite of my advancing age, although many did not want me to join in the walk maybe because of my age, nut at my insistence, I was allowed.

    “I am happy to be here because I can feel the benefits in my body, I can feel that all the nerves in my body are more relaxed, he said

    Speaking on the essence of the health initiative the convener, COWAP, Mr Olusola Esan, said that the programme was targeted at encouraging healthy living and lifestyle among the elders in Lagos.

    “This is an initiative to encourage our aged to continue to live healthy in spite of their advancing age. It is a health initiative targeted at providing a platform for the elder to relax.

    “More importantly, programme like this will help our elders to improve on their health and reduces non-communicable diseases.

    “We have encouraged the elders to join in the programme and many of them are excited to be here as I am, they are really having fun with the music.

    “Ordinarily, the aged ones here will not be able to walk a 3 Kilometer on their own, but seeing others it means nothing; they will definitely enjoy the outcome of the programme, he said.

    The WHO representative, Mrs Sherifat Lawal said that the international body supported the initiative because of its benefits to the people.

    “We are in support of this programme because of its immense benefits to the people especially the aged. A walk like this helps in reducing non-communicable diseases among the aged.

    “Non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes and others can be minimised through programmes like this. The aged ones will have a space to walk to free some stress in the body.

    “This type of programme is popular in other countries, so we will encourage our elders to participate in events like this to keep them healthy,” she said.

    Disu, the former assistant coach of defunct Green Eagles said that the initiative was a laudable one which made him to give all his support.

    “This is a laudable health initiative for the elders and I am part of it because of its immense benefits. As a sports person, I know the importance of exercise to the body.

    “Exercises especially when approaching advanced age is critical to sound health so coming here to walk is for the good of everyone.

    “The turnout is good enough but we will also encourage more participation of the elderly because we want them all to live healthy, he said. (NAN)

    KOJE/WOJ

    ========

    Edited by Wale Ojetimi

  • NCC to partner NASS against misuse of social media

     

    NCC to partner NASS against misuse of social media

    Partnership
    By Auwalu Yusuf
    Daura (Katsina State), Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it plans to collaborate with the National Assembly in enacting a law that will regulate the social media platforms.

    Mr Tanimu Bawa, the NCC Controller in charge of Kano zone, stated this in Daura during the commission’s Consumer Conversation Programme held on Thursday.

    He said that the misuse of the social media needed to be checked and regulated, adding that the platforms must be censored to ensure peace and stability in the polity.

    Bawa said that the programme was aimed at listening to the complaints, suggestions and recommendations from the consumers on how to improve services.

    The controller stressed that delivery of qualitative services was a major objective of the commission.

    “The commission has within 18 years regulated and registered 162 million mobile phone users nationwide.

    “We have raised our broad band penetration to 22 per cent for data coverage from the previous 13 per cent,” he said.

    He however warned dealers against the sale of unregistered telephones lines, while cautioning those operating illegal registration centres to desist from such practices.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that majority of the consumers complained of poor network connectivity in Daura and its environs.

    Malam Ado Mohammed, one of such consumers complained of lack of wide coverage of data services.

    Malam Idris Usman, an official of one of the communication firms, however, disclosed that most of the poor services recorded were due to network congestion.

    He said the service providers would analyse the problems raised with a view to addressing them squarely.

    “I want to call the attention of Nigerians to the fact that telephone masts are not dangerous to health, as earlier canvassed by those who were not experts on how the technology works.

    “We have been enlightening people on this issue that our masts are not harmful,” he said.

    He appealed to the people to consider telephone masts erected in their farms or communities as harmless.

    Highlights of the events were consumers’ interactive sessions with service providers, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and IHS.

    NAN reports that consumers and community leaders across the five local government areas in Daura Emirate attended the one-day interactive programme. (NAN)
    BKD/KTO/EMO/GY
    ===============

    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ejike Obeta/Grace Yussuf

  • Group blames nation’s challenges on narrow mind of some politicians

    Group blames nation’s challenges on narrow mind of some politicians
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Group
    Abuja,Sept.20,2018(NAN) The Rescue Alliance for National Development(RAND) has said that Nigeria’s problem is not caused by its founding fathers, but by the narrowness of the minds of some politicians.
    Sen. Saidu Dansadau,RAND Vice Chairman, stated this at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja,adding that Nigeria’s challenges were not peculiar to it.
    “It is our believe that there is no country built into a nation which did not go through similar challenges Nigeria is currently grappling with,”Dansadau said.
    He maintained that the country’s challenges were caused by some politicians who often exhibited lack of capacity to embrace that which was above and beyond ethnic and religious sentiments.
    He noted that Nigeria was truly blessed beyond borders in terms of natural resources and human capital,saying that it had the potential to be among the ten leading economies.
     
    The vice chairman said that while it was conceded that a multicultural and pluralistic society such as Nigeria would naturally have its stress points and fault lines,bad leadership in the past had compounded the situation.
    This, he said, had resulted in magnifying the country’s differences beyond what they really were.
    He stressed that such politicians were;”holding our diversity as a sign of collective weakness instead of strength for the nation”.
    Dansadau said the alliance comprised Civil Society Organisations,political associations,pressure groups,political stakeholders and religious organisations.
    He further said that the platform also comprised all political parties,associations and individuals who desired a greater Nigeria and genuinely and faithfully believed in changing the narrative.
    According to him, the vision of the alliance is to provide competent leadership for national unity,peace and development.
    The vice chairman said that the desire of the alliance was to adopt a common presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.
    He said RAND mission was to use political power to serve God and humanity,respect for rule of law against political impunity and politics of credibility against politics of deception, among others.
    He maintained that the alliance shall be anchored on justice and fair play and shall be ran on team work and productivity to achieve the desired prosperity for all.(NAN)
    EEM/AMY
    Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf