Blog

NAN-H-69

Graduation

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Ethiopian Aviation Academy has graduated a total of 322 aviation professionals comprising 47 pilots, 92 aviation maintenance technicians, 50 cabin crew and 133 marketing professionals.

In a statement, the Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday in Abuja said its Group Managing Director, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, welcomed the new graduates to the Airline’s dedicated workforce recently.

GebreMariam gave out diplomas to all the graduates, flight wings to graduating pilots and cabin crew and achievement awards to graduates with outstanding academic performance.

“We believe education is the greatest equaliser in the 21st century and Ethiopian Aviation Academy has strategically positioned itself to train African youths in the latest Aviation technology and skills.

“This is to enable them to own, manage and operate their own indigenous home grown African Airlines to lead safe, economical and reliable aviation industry with global standards.

“We shall continue to scale up our capacity and continue to nurture youths and prepare them for the 21st century African Aviation development,” GebreMariam was quoted as saying.

The CEO said that the academy had significantly contributed to alleviating the critical shortage of skilled aviation professionals since its establishment in 1956.

He also said that the academy currently trains 1,500 youths annually, adding that it would enhance its intake capacity to 4,000 by 2025.

“Ethiopian Aviation Academy is certified by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S Federal Aviation Administration, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and IATA Safety Audit (IOSA),” he said.
OYS/HAS/AMY
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-59
Police
By Kazeem Akande,
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Mr Mike Ogbizi, the new Commissioner of Police, (CP) Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) Police Headquarters, on Tuesday advised the officers to shun corruption and work hard to prevent crime within the neighbourhood.

Ogbizi gave the advice while addressing them at the NRC Police Command in Lagos.

He said that prevention of crime with dynamism was paramount to policing in order to achieve and gain the confidence of the public.

“Our work is to prevent crime as police officers, and we must bring dynamism and innovation in line with democratic policing system.

“We must possess the core value that is expected of us as officers, to achieve the primary duties of the police.

“There will be a joy when there is no crime during my tenure; we need to employ strategies to work effectively to prevent crime.

“A tree cannot form a forest, we have to work together as one, and present ourselves in such a way to gain the confidence of the public,’’ Ogbizi said.

The commissioner urged the officers to be firm, straight forward and shun laziness at work.

“Police is like a circle work, we work around and meet ourselves all over the country, it is better we work cordially to achieve the purpose of the police force,’’ the commissioner said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbizi was the former CP Special Fraud Unit, Lagos Police Command. (NAN)

AKA/FF/PAD
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Edited by Fela Fashoro, Peter Dada

NAN-H-60

Protesters
By Monday Ajogun

Benin, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Pro-government and anti-government protesters clashed in Benin on Tuesday over the  alleged plan of the Edo Government to build N300 million retirement homes for former Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy.

The pro-government group and members of some civil society organisations (CSOs) fought at Ring Road, Benin, when the latter marched through the streets over the amendment of the law for the pension of the governor.

Edo State House of Assembly last week amended the 2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law to include the provision of a building valued N200 million for a former governor and N100 million for his deputy.

Dr Justin Okunobor, the Speaker of the assembly, had said  that the new provision was justified as there was an existing law on pension benefits for former governors and deputies.

The civil society groups had claimed that the amendment would ensure the provision of a N200 million house for  Oshiomhole, and another N100 million house for his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu.

The anti-government protesters, under the aegis of Edo Civil Society Organisations, had converged on the museum ground in Benin as early 8 a.m. and marched toward the Anthony Enahoro House of Assembly Complex to announce their rejection of the new pension benefits.

The civil society groups were confronted by those who supported the amendment and prevented them from gaining access to the major entrance of the building.

The challenge resulted in the CSO members running away, while security operatives who had taken position at strategic positions around the assembly premises watched.

Some protesters sustained injuries during the fight which lasted about an hour, while some vehicles and public address systems used by the CSOs were vandalised.

As a result of the fight, passersby scampered to safety.

The spokesperson for the civil society groups, Osazee Edigin, claimed that his members were attacked by thugs allegedly sponsored by the government.

‘’They mobilsed thugs to attack us and we are trying to revive a guy who fainted, the thugs have taken over Ring Road,’’ Edigin said.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo Governor, Mr John Mayaki, said the state government recognised the rights and freedom of citizens to express their opinion on public issues and would not do anything to infringe on their freedom.

Mayaki said there was no iota of truth in the claim of the CSOs as government would not in any way attempt to gag the people’s freedom. (NAN)

AJOM/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-67

Appointment

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Mustapha Sahabi as the substantive Auditor-General of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the confirmation followed a motion moved by the Assembly’s Leader, Alhaji Garba Bello (APC- Yabo), after screening the nominee in the committee of the whole house.

He said: “In view of the provision of section 126 subsection (1) and (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has submitted the name of nominee for the post of the state Auditor-General.

“This nomination becomes necessary as a result of the retirement of the former Auditor-General Alhaji Sambo Nawawi on July, 2016.

“Therefore, the Assembly do screen the nominee for confirmation of appointment as the substantive state Auditor-General.”

The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, after the members unanimously approved the appointment of Sahabi, said, “The nominee is hereby confirmed for onward delivery to the executive.

“He acquired all the necessary requirements for the appointment as the state Auditor-General being reflection of the decision of the Sokoto State House of Assembly.”

Briefing newsmen shortly after the confirmation, Sahabi promised to work diligently and professionally for the overall development of the state.

“We will ensure our integrity and independence in serving the state, with the professional experience in conducting the work, to avoid any breach of the constitutional requirements,” he said. (NAN)

MNB/BRM/IS

Edited by Bashir Mani/Ismail Abdulaziz

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Plastic containers contain cancer causing chemicals, Expert warns
NAN-HG-7
Cancer
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Dr Arikawe Adeolu, a medical practitioner at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, has warned that some plastic containers contain chemicals that cause cancer.

Adeolu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that particular chemicals used in the production of plastic containers increased the risk of having certain types of cancer.

He cautioned against the continued use of these chemicals in the country and the inability of relevant agencies to curtail the problem.

He said that although a lot of research was still ongoing to discover more negative effects of these chemicals, the United States had already placed a ban on the use of these chemicals in production of feeding bottles for babies.

“Most of what we use comes in plastic and with consumption of items from these plastic containers; we get further exposed to these chemicals that have negative effects on our bodies.

“It is an increasingly important discussion in the health field because of the significant amount of exposure we get as this substances or compound is able to disrupt the hormonal balance of the human body.

“Over the years, more evidence has surfaced from various researches showing that plastic bottles, metal food containers, detergents, toys, cosmetics all contain particular substances referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals.

“These chemicals can increase the risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer because these are cancers that respond to hormonal levels.

“These chemicals can disrupt the production and metabolism; that is the break down, or even the physiological effect of these hormones within the body.

“Anything that disrupts hormone levels in the body will affect the predisposition to having cancers in certain organs,” Adeolu said.

He said that other health risks included its effect on reproduction, adding that it could also disrupt the function of the thyroid gland, cause obesity and some cardiovascular conditions.

According to him, some have said that it is responsible for the increasing rate of infertility and others have identified that it is also responsible for precocious puberty.

“Precocious puberty is when children begin to experience puberty at very young ages.’’

Adeolu identified ‘Bisphenol A’ as the most common endocrine disrupting chemical found in plastic bottles. (NAN)
KRY/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-S-11
Championship
By Kemi AJayi
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has said that 14 teams has so far registered for the Korean Ambassador Taekwondo Championship holding from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 in Lagos.

A statement by NTF President, George Ashiru, said on Tuesday in Lagos that the teams were Team Kebbi, Team Dynamic, Team Ogun, Team Uniben, Team Delateur, Team Rivers, Team Comprehensive and Team Edo.

Others are Team Golden Knights, Team FCT, Team Ebonyi, Team FCT, Team NSCDC and Team Body Dynamics.

According to the statement, eight teams have also confirm their participation in the championship namely, Team Kano, Team Lagos, Team Nassarawa, Team Police, Team FUTA, Team Niger, Team Ghana and Team Mali.

It said that no fewer than 300 athletes are expected to participate in the event, adding that there will be free accommodation for the first 150 athletes to register.

The statement said that the competition would feature two Daedo Electronic Courts with head and body guards on octagonal mats.

“We expect all teams to bring their electronic sensor socks and other protective wears for the tournament.

“All athletes are advised to have medical insurance which is available at minimal costs through the NTF.

“Registration for the championships will end on Nov. 30,’’ it quoted Ashiru as saying.

The statement added that the Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, would be the special guest of honour.

It said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Muhammad Wushishi will be the fathers of the day.

It added that the Korean Ambassador would be giving out Kukkiwon awards to these outstanding national heroes and former officials of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation in its 30-year-history. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

Farage pushes for U.S. ambassador job despite a “no vacancy”

NAN-F-9

Position
London. Nov. 22, 2018 (dpa/NAN) British Prime Minister Theresa May has said on Tuesday that there is “no vacancy” for the position of ambassador to the U.S. after president-elect Donald Trump endorsed eurosceptic leader Nigel Farage for the job.

But Farage, who is head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and was the first British politician to meet Trump in person after his election victory, is still pushing for the job.

May’s office had offered a swift rebuff to Trump’s recommendation, which was highly unusual considering that each country appoints its own overseas representatives and the role in question is already filled.

“There is no vacancy. We already have an excellent ambassador to the U.S.,” a government spokesman said.

But Farage contends that his loyalty to Trump before his win, compared to many high-level British politicians who have only tempered their criticism of the president-elect since his shock victory, makes him the ideal candidate for the job.

After Trump tweeted that his ally “would do a great job” in the role, Farage claimed that the “political revolution of 2016” sparked by his successful campaign to leave the European Union requires a new order in Britain – and that the British prime minister is blocking it.

In a bid to bolster his chances, Farage penned an article on Tuesday for far-right news site Breitbart, whose former executive chairman Stephen Bannon has become one of the most controversial picks so far in Trump’s new administration.

Farage wrote on the U.S. site that he would “do anything to help our national interest and to help cement ties with the incoming Anglophile administration.”

He criticised that “those who were openly abusive about Trump now pretend to be his friend.”

Farage joked in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election that he would like a role in Trump’s administration.

But since meeting Trump in New York, he has been gunning for an official job as go-between.

After May’s first phone call with president-elect Trump, a spokesman for May announced that they discussed maintaining a close relationship similar to that of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher and that Farage was not mentioned. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-65
Patronage

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A cross section of tailors in Kuje Area Council of the FCT on Tuesday said there was low patronage ahead of the yuletide season when compared to same period in 2015.
Some of the tailors who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kuje attributed the low patronage to the current recession in the country.
Mrs Oghale Rori, a tailor in the area, blamed the low patronage on the current economic recession. She noted that the situation was better in 2015.
She said many families were more concerned about feeding rather than clothing in the face of the recession in the country.
“I remember vividly that we stopped accepting materials for sewing before Dec. 1 last year because of the pressure on us.
“Patronage is really poor this year and as I talk to you, some tailors are already selling off their machines for petty businesses”, she said.
A seamstress, Mrs Maria Isa, said that patronage was low compared to the situation in previous years.
Isa, who blamed the low patronage on the recession facing the country, noted that there were no indications that business would pick up before Christmas.
She said she had resorted to sale of water in sachets and soft drinks to be able to pay her rent and meet up with other financial obligations.
“As it is now, I cannot fully rely on tailoring to meet up with my rent and other financial needs.
“So, I am already attaching sales of pure water and soft drinks to my tailoring to be able to pay my rent next year”, she said.
Mr Ahmed Isa, a tailor in the area however, expressed optimism that business would pick up in spite of the current recession.
Currently, business is slow as you can see but I am very sure it will pick up as we get closer to Christmas”, he said. (NAN)

IMC/MNA/IEA

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Idahosa Asowaata

NAN-H-57
Fund
Damaturu, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe State Government said on Tuesday that it had paid N60million as counterpart funds to participate in IFAD and Fadama lll projects.
Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, said this in Damaturu at a sensitization workshop organised for directors of agriculture and extension officers from the local governments in the state
“The state government had paid the sum of N20 million and N40 million for Fadama lll AF-ll and IFAD projects respectively, while that of food security is in the pipeline,’’ he said.
The commissioner said the programmes were aimed at restoring means of livelihood to victims of insurgency in the state.
Also, Alhaji Musa Garba, the state project coordinator for Fadama lll, said 5,320 households in 133 communities would benefit from the programme.
He assured them that “the state coordinating office of Fadama III project will remain committed to the attainment of the overall objective of the project.’’ (NAN)
MM/ASS/PAD
Edited by Peter Dada

NAN-H-64
Fine
Abuja, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in Abuja fined nine men N15,000 each for attempting to steal.

The defendants are Nasiru Isa of Wuse 2, Abubakar Suleiman of Area 11, Aliyu Yakima of Maitama, Abdulsalam Ado of Maitama all of Abuja and Hassan Aliyu of Kaduna.

Others are Sani Yusuf of Gwagwa, Murtala Mohammed and Ibrahim Babangida both of Mpape and Reuben Shedrack of Jikwoyi, all in Abuja.

The defendants are arraigned on a five-count-charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, house breaking, mischief and attempting to commit an offence with intent to steal.

The Senior Magistrate, Teribo Jim, who handed down the judgment, gave the defendants a N15,000 fine each after they pleaded guilty.

He also warned them to desist from committing crime and that he fined them because they had been in police custody since their arrest in September.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Asa Oyeyemi, told the court that the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission wrote a petition to the lnspector General of Police on Sept. 16 on the incident.

Oyeyemi said that the defendants conspired among themselves and broke into the confiscated house of the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

He said that the defendants broke into the sealed house at Ahmadu Bello Way at Garki, Abuja, with the intention to steal.

Oyeyemi said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 343, 347, 327 and 97 of the Penal Code.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court also fined Rueben Shedrack N7,000 separately, for impersonating an EFCC director.

Shedrack, was earlier arraigned with the eight defendants for breaking into the sealed house.

The defendant was arraigned on one-count charge of impersonation to which he pleaded guilty.

The prosecutor said that the defendant was deceiving people that he was a director at the EFCC.

He said that the offence contravened section 132 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UMD/MNA/IS

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Ismail Abdulaziz

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