Blog

NAN-HG-9

Stress

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Nov. 18, 2016  (NAN) An Abuja-based medical doctor , Dr Okezie Emenike, said on Friday that emotional and meditational control could go a long way in helping to manage stress.

Emenike disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, many people have different ways of relieving stress and because that is personal, what works for one patient might not be helpful to another patient.

The doctor, therefore, suggested that “identifying the source of a patient’s stress and focusing on what makes the patient feel calm and in control is key to managing stress.

“Avoid people that stress you out.

“Taking care of your environment and your willingness to compromise can also help manage stress.

“Management of time, being more assertive, avoiding problems as well as adjusting your standard of living can help manage stress.

“Also, acceptance of things you can’t change and expressing your feelings are ways that can help manage stress.’’

The medical practitioner noted that physical exercise, resting, reduction in alcohol intake, and reduction in caffeine consumption, among others, are some ways to relieve stress.

He stated that maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as eating healthy food, engaging in aerobic exercise, low sugar consumption, and abstaining from smoking and drug abuse, can help reduce stress. (NAN)

CSO/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-HE-6

Revenue

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Transport Company has generated N42.8 million revenue between May 2015 and May 2016, an official said on Friday.

Alhaji Dahiru Abbas, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry for Works, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that the company also transported 100, 800 passengers during the period.

He said: “Within the period the sum of over N42.8 million was generated through the fleets of buses on intra and inter state shuttles.

“The company recorded a total of 100,800 passengers, charging rates as approved by the state government.”

Abbas said that from the revenue generated, N22.8 million was expended on maintenance of the vehicles on the company’s fleet.

“A total of N18.12 million was expended on staff salary and other administrative issues.

“As a direct public service delivering authority, the state transport company strives to enhance the performance of its personnel.

“By this, we ensure prompt payment of their salaries and other entitlements as stipulated by the state civil service regulations,” he said.

The permanent secretary also highlighted some achievements recorded by another company under the ministry, the Sokoto Engineering and Construction Company (SECCO).

According to him, the company is currently supervising several construction projects in the state.

“In the first one year of the present administration of Gov. Aminu Tambuwa, SECCO carried out some maintenance projects on some roads.

“Some of the projects include surface dressing on roads, control of flood through construction of embankment and drainage.

“The company also constructed new earth dams and rehabilitated some, spread across the 23 local governments of the state,’’ he said. (NAN)

MNB/AIB/MZA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-22
By-Election
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) Some political parties in Lagos on Friday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair to all in the conduct of the Dec. 3 Ifako/Ijaye by-election.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the parties noted that only an unbiased commission could conduct a credible and conclusive election.

The Lagos State Chairman of Action Alliance, Mr Shola Omolola, urged INEC not to give advantage to any party.

“We expect INEC to continue to be an impartial umpire; it should be fair to all parties, and at the same time, treat them as equal.

“We also urge politicians to allow a level playing ground so that the election can be conclusive because INEC has accused politicians of perpetrating inconclusive elections in Nigeria,” Omolola said.

The Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Adeshina Olayokun, also urged INEC to display a high level of honesty during the election.

“INEC as an institution must not take side with any individual or political party; this is the only way the election will be fair and credible.

“INEC must seen to exhibit its functions according to the constitution of Nigeria; besides, the election is holding in just a local government, so we expect the best from INEC,” Olayokun said.

The Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Ola Apena, also urged INEC to remain an impartial judge.

“INEC, of course, is expected to be honest in their conduct and refuse to be compromised by desperate politicians who wish to win at all cost.

“Election should not be a do-or-die affair; any candidate who loses election should take it in good fate. He should realise we are in a game, and in a game, you can only have one winner,” Apena said.

The Lagos State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement, Dr Akin Badmus, also advised INEC to be neutral in the election.

“INEC should be neutral and fair to every political party; it should also ensure ballot papers and all the necessary materials for the election get to the polling booths on time.

“This is the only way a successful election can be achieved.

“Above all, they should ensure the use of card readers and make them function effectively,” Badmus said.

NAN reports that the by-election is to take place following the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives.

Adewale slumped and died in his Abuja home in July.(NAN)
LED/SOA
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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-DS-4

Impoundment

By Mohammed Bashir

Dutse, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Jigawa Sector Command, said on Friday it had impounded 35 cars and 20 motorcycles for various traffic offences in the state.

The Sector Commander of the commission, Mr Angus Ibezim, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Dutse.

Ibezim stated that the impounded vehicles include those being used for private and commercial purposes.

He said the vehicles were impounded during “peration Sauka Lafiya”, which was jointly carried out on Nov. 16 by the FRSC officials and those of the state’s Board of Internal Revenue.

“The aim of this operation is to boost the internally generated revenue of the state through the checking of expired drivers’ license, expired vehicle papers and number plate violation,” Ibezim said.

The sector commander said that the vehicles were impounded for offenses ranging from the use of expired vehicle particulars, expired drivers’ licenses, insurance and road worthiness certificates.

According to him, other offenses include the use of fake number plates and refusal to comply with the use of the newly introduced passengers’ manifest by commercial bus and taxi drivers.

Ibezim, however, said that 13 cars and vehicles have so far been released after their owners updated their particulars and met other conditions for their release.

“We released such vehicles as soon as their owners updated their particulars and met other conditions for their release.

“We are not imposing fines on anyone, but asking them to update the necessary registration documents of their vehicles after which we will release them instantly,” he said.

The sector commander, therefore, urged drivers to uphold the value of driving by complying with the rules and regulations of the commission on safety on the roads.

“First, you must ensure that you obtain genuine driver’s license and ensure that your vehicle is in order before you drive.

“And always ensure that the registration particulars of your vehicles are up-to-date.

“You should also desist from obtaining fake licenses from touts and fake agents.

“You can go to any of the FRSC offices across the country for a genuine license,” Ibezim said.

He said the commission would not hesitate to auction any impounded vehicle that is not reclaimed by the owner within six months of impoundment. (NAN)

MNB/DO/YEE

Edited by David Onilede/Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-H-21
Assault
By Boboye Moronke Tinuola
Lagos, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly beating up his father’ s tenant, Abayomi Shorungbe, 47,  was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused, who works at the Ikeja airport and resides at 8, Ejire Lane, Orile-Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and assault.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offences were committed on Oct. 24 at the accused’s residence.

Ogu said that the complainant, one Mr Adewale Adejoro, is one of the tenant of the accused’s father.

“Because he hasn’t paid his house rent, the accused hired two soldiers who came to the house and dragged him to an unknown place.

“The accused was beaten severally and was made to write a letter of undertaking that he will vacate his apartment by end of year,” he said.

Ogu said that the two soldiers are at large and that the offences contravene Sections 166, 171 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

Akanni adjourned the case till Nov. 28, for mention.(NAN)
MTO/PIO/PIO
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Edited by Idonije Obakhedo

NAN-H-42
Centers
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 18 2016 (NAN) The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Kebbi has established eight additional Enrollment Centers to achieve wider coverage of the state.

Alhaji Umar Bagudo,the State Coordinator of the commission, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Bagudo said the additional enrollment centers were established in Aliero, Jega, Argungu, Bagudo, Koko-Besse, Zuru, Danko/Wasagu and Fakai local government areas.

He said with the latest development, the number of the commission’s enrollment centers in the state had increased to ten.

“More centers will be opened in Bunza, Dandi, Augie, Yauri and Ngaski local government areas.

He said another enrollment center would be opened at the Kebbi Federal University located in Kalgo local government area.

“We would cover all the 21 local government areas.” the state Coordinator said.

He also said that the commission had started issuing multipurpose identification card to duly registered applicants,while calling on those who registered to come forward and collect the cards.

He assured that all those who enrolled for the cards would soon collect them,while advising them to keep safe the transaction slip issued to them during enrollment because it bears the registration number of each applicant.

Bagudo urged the general public,security agencies and all other stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise, warning that “we would sanction anybody found extorting money for the cards”.

NAN reports that about 1.7 million people in Kebbi have so far enrolled for the national identification card.(NAN)
BKD/AMY/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-44
Theft
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) A security guard, Panshak Paul,27, on Friday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing generator parts worth N500,000, property of the Federal High Court, Alausa, Ikeja.

The accused is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Paul is a resident of No. 69, Babadada in Alagbole area of Ogun.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, told the court that the accused committed the two offences at Federal High Court Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, at about 8.00 p.m on Nov. 12.

“The complainant, Mr Adenle Taoreed, got a call from one of King’s Guard Security Operatives informing him that the said generator had been vandalised.

“On investigations, the accused was discovered to have stolen the parts and was caught while trying to sell the parts to dealers at Oshodi, Lagos, ‘’ Ishaku said.

The prosecutor said that the accused, a security guard posted to secure the court, conspired with others now at large and stole the Perkins Generator parts.

“The accused was apprehended and handed over to the police,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.‎

The Magistrate, Mr J. A. Adegun granted the accused bail in the sum of N150, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said that the sureties must be the suspect’s blood relations and gainfully employed, with evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Dec. 9, for trial. (NAN)

LAW/DUA/MO
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Morayo Omolade
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Consumers demand re-introduction of price control system

NAN-H-32
Prices
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) Some consumers in Ilorin on Friday called on the Federal Government to re-introduce price control mechanism for commodities to check inflation in the country.

A cross-section of consumers that spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) lamented that lack of sufficient money in circulation in the country was further worsened by the unabated increase in the price of commodities.

Mr Nasir Bakare, a civil servant told NAN that government would need to act fast to save the public from the indiscriminate increase in the price of items in the country.

According to Bakare, many traders are leveraging on the economic recession to increase prices at will, thereby worsening the economic condition of the populace.

“Look for instance, you will buy a commodity now and before you know it, if you go back after some minutes, the price is changed.

“This is bad and unfair to the public, who suffer to get little from the inadequate money in circulation,” he said.

Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, a newspaper vendor, also said it was time government acted to save the country from total collapse.

Adeyemi explained that no commodity was left out as things were getting harder day by day.

The vendor stated that it became a problem seeking a means of livelihood.

He said that even if a consumer got a token to spend, the skyrocketing price of commodities would compound the issue.

He advocated for the re-introduction of price control system in the control to check unnecessary hike in the price of commodities.

Mr AbdulRazaq Yusuf, a resident, also told NAN that he was embittered by the economic situation in the country.

Yusuf noted that the way government was leaving traders to fix their prices at will was exploitative of the poor.

He urged government to seek a solution to the failing economy to alleviate the suffering of the populace.

Similarly, Mr Tunde Bolaji, Imam Lutf and Alhaji Yahaya Erubu also backed the agitation for price control system in the face of the inflation.

They said price control mechanism would serve the interest of ordinary citizens. (NAN)
AUO/ORO/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Insurgency: Nigerians must support the military morally, says expert.
NAN-H-20
Military
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Nov.18, 2016(NAN) A Peace and Conflict expert, Mr Oluranti Owolabi, has appealed to Nigerians to give moral support to the military in the fight against insurgency.
Owolabi made the appeal on Friday in Osogbo while speaking on the need to rid the country of insurgency and the role the citizens must play for the war to be won.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that moral support to the military by all Nigerians would win the war given the commitment of government and troops at the war front.
‘’The greatest weapon of defeat in an asymmetrical war of this nature is the mind of the people which is always controlled by information; that is why Nigerians must repose confidence in the military.
“The confidence people have in our military will automatically make them to support the troops morally and insulate them against the damning propaganda of the insurgents, ‘he said.
According to him, the moral support from all Nigerians to the patriotic soldiers at the war front coupled
with the commitment of the government will win the war soonest.
The peace advocate extolled the political will of the
government to bring the insurgency to an end and the doggedness of the security agents who he described as heroes and heroines.
He advised the opposition parties to see the insurgency as an affront on the corporate existence of Nigeria and not an
avenue to score cheap political points.
‘’The tenets of opposition parties in developed democracies is to strengthen the system through constructive engagement of the ruling party and not the game of hide and seek.
‘’The security challenges facing the country should not be an opportunity for the opposition to score ridiculous political points, the challenge should be collectively tackled as Nigerians.
“I have never seen Nigerian opposition parties living up to its obligation as a vibrant and better alternative to the ruling party and government in waiting.
“The best opposition parties in Nigeria can do is to hide somewhere and wait for the government to fail for them to come out and rather than criticise destructively,’’ he said. (NAN)
DOO/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-19
Agriculture
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 18, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Dahiru Aliyu,
the Zonal Extension Officer, Maigana Zone of Kaduna State Agricultural Development Project (KADP), has advised farmers to form cooperative societies to benefit from government’s agricultural programmes.
Aliyu gave the advice at the inauguration of “Empowerment Body“ of Danmagaji Martaba Commercial Farmers` Cooperative Society held on Friday at Danmagaji, Zaria, Kaduna State.
He said the call became imperative in view of the importance of cooperative societies not only to the farmers but to the entire society.
“It gladdens my heart to state that the present administration placed priority on agriculture, hence, the introduction of different policies and programmes toward boosting the sector.
“In view of this, there is the need for farmers to form cooperative societies to benefit from such policies and programmes, “ he said.
While assuring the readiness of government to assist farmers at all levels, Aliyu said such assistance would only come through farmers’ cooperative societies and associations.
“Remember, societies and associations play greater role, because government or bank will never deal with an individual, rather it`s easier to deal with group(s) of people under one leadership.
“As such, it is pertinent to note that no meaningful development can be achieved by any single person, however, it could be largely achieved under cooperative societies, “ he said.
He congratulated the members of Danmagaji Cooperative Society for their zeal and courage to come together under one umbrella to assist themselves.
In his remarks, the Treasurer of the body, Alhaji Abubakar Rilwan, said the body would assist members of the public who desire to help themselves.
“I mean that we will be an instrument through which members of the public willing to assist themselves will also be assisted in their business activities by the Empowerment Body.
“Let me assure you that everything will be done according to statutory laws to avoid abuse in the body’s fund, “ he said.
Rilwan said the assistance from the body would be based on the ability of individual(s) to meet the stipulated requirements.
Earlier, the chairman of the cooperative society, Alhaji Umar Ahmed-Ma’aji, had said that the society faced a tough challenge before coming on board.
He, however, said that the journey had begun to yield some positive results, particularly, with the success it recorded in recent time.
He enumerated some achievements of the society to include: engaging members in Zobo farming in this year’s farming season.
“We are happy today we are witnessing the inauguration of the empowerment body while we await to participate in othe dry season wheat farming usually organised by the Kaduna State Government, “ he said. (NAN)
KLM/MOL/PAD
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Peter Dada