Blog

NAN-AE-5

Toilet

Bauchi, Nov. 19,2016 (NAN)  Commercial pit toilet operators  in Bauchi say they are making brisk business as the town keeps expanding, giving no space for open defecation.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Saturday that although the stereotype of their trade as being undignified still persisted, they were “absorbing the stigma and making money quietly.”

Some of them said that whereas most petty businesses had become saturated with practitioners, they still maintained a reasonable level of monopoly as a number of people were shy to be seen as ‘depending on toilets’ to feed themselves.

One of the operators, Malam Umar Dahiru, said that the business was flourishing as customers often overwhelmed them.

“There are times when people queue, waiting for their turn, depending on the location of the toilet.

“If the toilets are located in markets, motor parks or other business areas full of activities, you are sure of making money daily.

“In fact, most of us in the business run ‘shift’ because there are customers from 5am to 10 pm every day,” he said.

Mr Dahiru, another operator, said that he closed from ‘work’ at about 7pm and the least he generated daily, was N3, 000.

“I open my toilets to customers from 6am to 7pm and the least I generate when there is no enough patronage is N3, 000.

“Those who close an hour or two after me can make up to N5, 000,” he revealed.

According to him, the commercial pit toilet trade can create jobs for the teaming population of unemployed youth, but that they (youth) do not want to be associated with the business for obvious reasons.

Mr Ibrahim Adamu, also owner of public convenient, said that he combined both pit toilet and bathroom to make huge returns.

“I charge N50 for the use of bathroom and N30 for the toilet. On a daily basis, I make nothing less than N6000,” he said.

NAN also spoke with some customers, who all agreed that the commercial toilet operators were, not only providing essential service, but also protecting the environment against abuse through open defecation.

Miss Hafsat Ibrahim, a customer, told NAN that but for one commercial pit toilet located at a motor park in the heart of Bauchi, she would have defecated in her pant some time ago.

“I was to travel somewhere when I suddenly developed running stomach and had to raise alarm.

“The motor park officials rushed me to the toilet where I almost emptied my stomach; you can imagine the embarrassment if there was no toilet there,” she stated.

She said that the public convenience had assisted greatly in reducing open defecation, especially in market places.

Another customer, Mr Inuwa Ali, said that the commercial public conveniences were being maintained properly by owners as they had become silent business with great income. (NAN)

AE/ASH/ASH

NAN-H-21
Cultists
By Val Utulu
Asaba, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Delta Police Command has arrested 28 suspected teenage cultists operating in some public secondary schools in Asaba, in  Delta, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The State Police Commissioner, CP Zanna Ibrahim, disclosed this on Saturday in Asaba.

He said that the teenage secret cult group was known as the “Future Trigger Boys’’ (FTB).

Ibrahim said that out of the 28 suspects, 10 were students of Osadenis Grammar School, Asaba.

The CP said the suspected cultists, aged between 13 and 16 years old, were rounded up during school hours, following intelligence reports from members of the public.

“These are children, who were sent to school to study but regrettably, they form cult group to terrorise their fellow students and the entire school.

“They call themselves the ‘Future Trigger Boys’. We were able to arrest these ones, while many others are still on the run.

“Since we arrested them, many of their parents have been on our neck,” Ibrahim said.

The CP urged members of the public to continuously avail the command with valuable information that would help the Police checkmate all forms of crimes in the society.

In an interview with NAN, one of the teenage suspected cultists, who is 13 years old JSS1 student of Osadenis Grammar School, confessed his membership of the group.

“All of us are cultists. We are members of the Future Trigger Boys. I was introduced into the group in 2014 by my friend here.

“Our leader is one Ibrahim, he is currently at large,’’ the suspect said.

He, however, said that he had left the group and had not been participating in its activities anymore.

The suspect alleged that when the Police arrested some of them, they named him as a member.

Another member of the group, a 14-year-old JSS 3 student of the same school, also said that he had left the group but always afraid of some of the boys.

“1 joined the FTB last year, when one of my friends introduced me to the group.

“We have members in various schools here in Asaba. We do not use any weapon, we only fight with our hands.

“Early this year, I told my friends that I do not want to belong to the group anymore because I was afraid of some of the bigger boys, especially Ibrahim,” the suspect said.

The CP said the police were still investigating the activities of the group and assured that the ringleaders , who are currently on the run, would be apprehended. (NAN)
CVU/BB/AJA
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(Edited by Bassey Bassey/Adeleye Ajayi)
 

NAN-H-42
Contractors
Abuja, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), will prosecute environmental contractors in the territory, who operate without the board`s certification letter, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, Acting Director of the board, has warned.

She gave the warning on Saturday in Abuja when she received a delegation of estate managers and environmental contractors operating in the FCT.

Olanipekun said the board had the mandate to issue certification letters to environmental contractors to enable them operate legally in the city.

“If we see any unlicensed environmental contractors, we will arrest and take them to our mobile court.

“The only way we can easily arrest them is when the public collaborate with us by assisting us identify contractors who evacuate waste to dumping site.

“When we notice that such contractors are not licensed by the board, we can prosecute them.

“The essence of the prosecution is to promote environmental sanitation and change the negative attitude of the residents towards the environment.

“Collaboration between AEPB and estate managers will also help the board identify their challenges in waste management in order for us to know how to tackle such problems,’’ she said.

The acting director said that the aim of the meeting was to enhance the relationship between the board and the two bodies and promote environmental health for effective service delivery.

She said that the board had realised that there was gap in the relationship between it and the two bodies, adding that such gap needed to be closed.

According to Olanipekun dialoguing with the estates managers and contractors will enhance environmental sanitation in the various estates in the FCT.

She said that AEPB was also collaborating with head of various communities in the territory by educating them on the importance of living in a healthy environment.

She said that the board plans to embark on awareness campaign to public places such as Churches, Mosques, market among others, to ensure that residents of the territory imbibe the habit of cleanliness.

Olanipekun advised the residents to cooperate with the FCT administration by ensuring that Abuja is kept clean.

Mr Vincent Okoro, who spoke on behalf of the estate managers, called on residents of the FCT to obey environmental laws and regulations to enable AEPB achieve its mandate and vision. (NAN)
VOE/AEA/AEA
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NAN-H-41

Division

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Army said its newly-created 6 Division in Port Harcourt was established to organise and improve its internal security operations in four states of the Niger Delta.

Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, the pioneer General Officer Commanding (GOC), of the Division , disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

Abdulkarim said the military had recorded success in the war against terror and was committed to combating emerging security threats in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

According to him, the Division will cover army 2 Brigade Akwa Ibom; 16 Brigade Bayelsa and 63 Brigade in Delta, respectively, with divisional headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“This arrangement will help to curtail activities of militants, banditry, inter-communal clashes, illegal bunkering, kidnapping, robberies, Niger Delta Avengers and pipeline vandalism prevalent in the area.

“Insecurity in these states negatively impacts on our national economy resulting from sabotage by criminal entities within the region.

“Everything must be done to protect and defend our fledgling democracy with focus to prevent insecurity in the area of our responsibility,” he said.

Abdulkarim said his mission was to structure and enhance the operational capability of the division and improve combat readiness of the troops.

He said the task included a review of existing intelligence architecture; accountability; inclusiveness; rule of law; troops discipline and respect for human rights.

The GOC said the division would work with the media and the public to promote civil-military relations with focus on improving intelligence gathering.

“Officers and soldiers of 6 Division must collectively evolve media management skills in the exploit of mass and social media’s growing power instead of fighting it.

“Our personnel must be honest, trustworthy and professional in their conduct to earn public confidence in our internal security operations,” he said.

He urged governments and communities in the four states to cooperate with the division to enable it to achieve its mandate to improve security in the region. (NAN)
DES/AMY/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-S-4
Debate
Sydney, Nov. 19, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa Pace Spearhead, Dale Steyn has not allowed a series-ending injury to prevent him from backing his Captain Faf du Plessis over allegations of ball tampering.

He suggested that Australia was using the incident as an excuse for losing.

Du Plessis was charged with ball tampering on Friday after Australian television pictures showed him applying saliva to the ball with a sweet in his mouth during the second test.

South Africa won the match to clinch the series with a match to spare.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) could ban Du Plessis from one test match if he is found guilty, putting him in doubt for next week’s third test in Adelaide.

Du Plessis has pleaded not guilty.

Hashim Amla and the rest of the Proteas squad made clear on Friday how they felt about the charge; the batsman describing it as a “joke” with his team mates standing behind him.

Steyn added his thoughts on Twitter on Saturday.

“Beaten with the bat. Beaten with the ball. Beaten in the field. Mentally stronger. Here’s an idea, Let us blame it on a lollipop, soft,’’ he posted.

Steyn later tried to clarify his comment with another post.

“Just so we clear, I am not blaming the Aussies but I would not let a fantastic series win be tarnished by some lollipop fabrication. 3-0 mission, ‘’ (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/AJA
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-20
Capacity
Jos, Nov 19, 2016 (NAN) The Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), Mr Reuben Habu, has said that proper water resource management will lead to effective service delivery.

He said this at a capacity building workshop held for some staff of the organisation on Saturday in Jos.

Habu said the two-day capacity building workshop was meant to equip the staff with the knowledge that would enable them to be highly effective and proactive in the discharge of their duties.

He said that the NIWRMC was saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the compliance with standard regulation in the water sector.

According to him, they also enforce relevant government policies on water management in the country.

He said the workshop was imperative at this time for staff of the commission to understand the legal and regulatory regimes for integrated water resource management in areas of water licensing, which was the core of their function.

“This is not just an ordinary workshop, it is a capacity building workshop, as it is expected that participants at this workshop will have a better understanding of not only the legal aspects of the job but also skills requirement for the administration of water use licenses,’’ he said.

Habu said that the process of developing and strengthening skills and abilities of staff would place them on very sound footing with the provision of essential tools and guidelines for  effective monitoring.

He said that this would ensure compliance with the standard regulation in the water sector.
Habu urged all participants to relay skills acquired at the workshop in the discharge of their duty. (NAN)
UBO/ECN/AJA
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(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye.& Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-DS-1
Security
Lagos, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Ebenezer Oyefolu, on Saturday promised to enhance the security of lives and property within the division’s area of responsibility.

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Kingsley Samuel in Lagos, the GOC said his watchword was work hard and pray hard.

“The GOC who just assumed duty as the 81 Division Commander, said with God on his side, he will succeed.

“Oyefolu was the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence prior to his recent appointment.

He is a member of the 34 Regular Course, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Oyefolu has among other civil qualifications, Post Graduate Diploma Safety and Security Management from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and Masters of Science in Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.

“He is a fellow of the prestigious National Defence College, ‘’ the statement said.

According to the statement, the GOC commended his predecessor, Maj.- Gen. Isidore Edet for the achievements recorded during his tenure and solicited the cooperation of officers and soldiers in order to succeed. (NAN)
HOB/ERO/AJA
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara)

NAN-H-19
Empowerment
Lagos, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) As part of its objectives to raise the standard of living among women, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), on Saturday empowered 100 women and youths with working equipment.

The National President of the association, Mrs Umma-Kaslum Buratai, empowered the women and youths at the Ojo Cantonment, Lagos.

Buratai also used the occasion to inaugurate the renovated NAOWA Nursery and Primary School at the cantonment.

The women and youths graduated in different trades such as: catering and hotel management, fashion designing, barbing, bead making among others.

“Because of the population in the country, there is no job so we deem it necessary to train these people so they can be on their own, ’’she said.

The NAOWA president said that the renovation of the school was part of the contributions the association was making to provide good and equipped schools in the barracks.

“Education is the key to economic empowerment, growth and development and there is no better investment we can make other than investing in education.

“If this is so, it becomes necessary to ensure that our children are educated in a conducive environment.

“On my assumption of office as the NAOWA president, I paid a visit to this school and the learning condition of the school was deplorable.

“It was against this background that we made sure the school was renovated, “ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  quotes her saying.

When asked if other schools that are equally in a bad state would be renovated, the president said it would be done in every part of the country.

On the empowerment initiative, Buratai said she was pleased that women and youths living in the barracks were beneficiaries of the laudable entrepreneurship initiative.

“This NAOWA Empowerment Initiative is thriving considering the Federal Government’s drive to reduce importation of goods and encouraging local production of goods in Nigeria.

“NAOWA engaged the services of well-trained instructors who are conversant with the barrack’s mentality, interest and people.

“This certainly made the learning environment conducive as the participants were trained by instructors on a familiar terrain.

“The two weeks intensive training covered areas such as catering and hotel management, fashion and textile design, bead making, hair dressing, barbing saloon and soap making, ‘’ NAN quotes her as saying.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, the Special Guest of Honour and Wife of the Lagos State Governor, in her remarks, said she was impressed with the renovation and empowerment initiative.

Ambode, who was represented by Mrs Ganiat Bolaji, said that NAOWA, a progressive association had been able to take care of women, children and youths.

“The association has continually complemented the efforts of both, States and Federal Government toward improving the lives of the members of their dependants, ‘’ she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Yahaya Isa, expressed her gratitude to the association for empowering her and assured that she would make good use of the equipment.

Another beneficiary, Kadijat Umar, thanked the NAOWA president for the initiative, adding that it was a way out of the unemployment problem.

NAN reports that part of the equipment donated to the beneficiaries, were sewing machines, barbing equipment, hair dressing equipment and many others.

Present at the inauguration ceremony were: the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Oyefolu, NAOWA women and other top brass of the Nigerian Army. (NAN)
HOB/ERO/AJA
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-S-3

Golf

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) Forty-four players have made the cut and advanced to the third round of the inaugural Nigeria Masters Golf Tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inaugural Nigeria Masters which teed off at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja on Thursday is expected to end on Sunday.

Graham Webster, the Tournament Director, West Africa Golf Tour (WAGT) who confirmed the result to NAN on Saturday said following Friday’s second round, 44 players made the weekend cut.

NAN recalls that a field of 57 players began the tournament which is being played over 72 holes in a stroke play format.

Webster told NAN that Nigerian player, Kabiru Haruna was currently leading the Masters tournament by one shot ahead of Desire Ebela, second place with 2 over par.

“After 36 holes, Kabiru Haruna leads the Nigeria Masters with 1 over par, followed by Desire Ebela with 2 over par and Daniel Pam, Issa A. Nlareb, Andrew Odoh all three tied with 3 over par.

“The duo of Haruna and Ebela together with Nigeria number one golfer, Andrew Odoh will go out in the final group in today’s third round,” he said.

NAN also reports that Nigerian Donatus Obadofin, a debutant at the tour also made the cut.

Obadofin started playing the Tour as an amateur and debuts at the Nigeria Masters as a professional.

Other West African countries taking part in the tournament include, Ghana Cameroon and Senegal. (NAN)

VO/YAZ
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Edited by Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-36

Bond

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Nov. 19, 2016 (NAN) Forte Oil Plc, a foremost-integrated energy service provider, has successfully completed its N9 billion series one debt issue.

The company in a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos said the bond was the first in the series of its proposed N50 billion-bond issuance programme.

The funds raised would be used to refinance existing short-term commercial bank loan obligations and the retail outlet expansion of the company.

Mr Akin Akinfemiwa, the company’s group Chief Executive Officer, was quoted by the statement as saying that the successful raising of the initial capital showed investors confidence in the firm.

Akinfemiwa added that the bond offer was fully underwritten and showed the level of confidence, the investing public had in the company.

“This bond programme, being the first in the downstream sector, is testament to Forte’s position within the downstream sector,” he stated.

Akinfemiwa said the bond would allow the company to actualise the vision of the board to provide value to its shareholders regardless of the economic climate.

Mr Julius Omodayo-Owotuga, Forte Oil Group Executive Director Finance and Risk, said that the bond raising would provide the necessary liquidity for the firm to realise its growth strategies and position the company for the future.

“The pricing of this debt instrument demonstrates the markets’ belief in us and the pricing would help reduce our borrowing cost and increase profitability in the short and long term,” Omodayo-Owotuga said.

He explained that the bonds would be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and FMDQ OTC Exchange until maturity date in 2021.

Omodayo-Owotuga said that United Capital Limited served as the lead Financial Advisor/Issuing House to the transaction, while Boston Advisory Ltd., FBN Capital Ltd., Planet Capital and Vetiva Capital Management were joint Financial Advisors/issuing House. (NAN)
JNC/YAZ

Edited Yusuf Zango