Blog

NAN-AE-8

Expert

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Lateef Taiwo, a Soil Scientist, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, says proper soil management without impairing soil health is prerequisite for higher agricultural productivity.

Taiwo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday.

He said that soil fertility could be restored effectively by adopting the concept of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), this encompassing a strategy for nutrient management-based on natural resource conservation.

The scientist said that the importance of ISFM in crop production could not be over emphasised.

“ISFM is the application of soil fertility management practices and the knowledge to adapt these practices to local conditions, which maximise fertiliser and organic resource use efficiency and crop productivity.

“These practices necessarily include appropriate fertiliser and organic input management in combination with the utilisation of improved germ plasma and other natural resources which include some organisms,” he said.

Taiwo also said that bio fertiliser accelerated certain microbial processes in the soil which augment the extent of availability of nutrients in a form easily assimilated by plants.

“Bio fertilisers add nutrients through the natural processes of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilising phosphorus and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances.

“Bio fertilisers can be in liquid or solid form, in either case a suitable carrier is needed for the micro-organisms to be used as bio-fertiliser, they are usually prepared as carrier-based inoculants containing effective microorganisms.

“Incorporation of micro-organisms in carrier material enables easy-handling, long term storage and high effectiveness of bio-fertilizers,” he said.

He explained that phytopathogenic microorganisms had a great impact on crop yields and could significantly reduce plant performance and crop quality.

“However, rhizobacteria that can provide bio control of disease or insect pests are considered an alternative for farmers than chemical pesticides,” Taiwo said. (NAN)

CC/FF/MO

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Morayo Omolade

Court adjourns trial of rights activist, Adegboruwa

NAN-H-33
Adjournment
Lagos, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday further adjourned to Jan. 30 continuation of trial of a rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, charged with illegal lease of property.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Adegboruwa, also a lawyer, on a count charge of leasing a Lagos property attached by court order.

The case, slated for continuation of trial on Thursday, was stalled by the absence of the judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo.

The trial will continue on Jan. 30, as agreed by prosecution and defence counsels.

At the last adjourned date in June, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, led a second witness, Mr Teslim Ajuwon, in evidence-in-chief.

Ajuwon, a compliance officer with a bank, tendered documents relating to Adegboruwa’a statement of account as evidence of the alleged transaction.

In the one-count charge, the EFCC claimed that Adegboruwa conspired with one Jonathan Udeagbala (now at large) to lease out a property located at No. 105 NICON Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

The EFCC stated that the property was the subject of an interim order of attachment issued by Justice C.A. Balogun of a Lagos High Court on June 18, 2012.

The commission said that Adegboruwa leased the property to one Shelf Drilling Nig. Ltd. for more than N61 million, without the consent of the commission.

It said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 32(1) of the EFCC Act, 2004. (NAN)
UNS/HAS/IMST
Edited By Hajia Sani/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Kaduna Police gets new CP

NAN-H-9

Appointment
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Nov 17, 2016, (NAN) Mr Agyole Abeh has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State.
Abeh, who assumed office on Nov. 14, took over from Mr Sanusi Lemu.
The appointment is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman.
According to the statement, the new CP hails from Ibi Local Government area of Taraba State.
The new commissioner was enlisted in the service on January 1, 1984 as pioneer cadet inspector and was trained at the Police College in kaduna.
Abeh holds a Bachelors Degree in Art (Philosophy) from University of Lagos and Advance Diploma in Law Enforcement Administration from same university.
He also attended Intermediate Management Course at Centre of Excellence, Police Stability Concentrate Vincentia, Italy.
Abeh attended Senior Leadership and Strategic Course, Police Staff College, Jos, and Senior Management Course in ASCON. (NAN)
TJ/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-7

Women

By Ajibola Olaniyi

Osogbo, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Tokunbo Ajayi, the Executive Director, Women for Positive Impact Initiative (NGO), has called for more women’s participation in partisan politics in the country.

Ajayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday that the level of participation of women in politics in the country was very worrisome and not encouraging.

The director urged women to show more interest in decision-making process of the country, and contribute their quotas to nation building.

According to her, women play a very significant role in making a nation great through compassionate leadership.

“It is high time we changed our political equation and start to encourage women to go into partisan politics the more.

“Women are very sensitive and passionate than men when it comes to leadership; it is a way of making a nation great.

“I, therefore, enjoin women in all professions to show more interest in the decision-making mechanism and make our country an envy of all,’’ she said. (NAN)

DOO/FF/PAD
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Peter Dada

Nigeria animated film industry needs FG, private sector support – Official

NAN-F-4
Collaboration
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Director, International Cultural Relations, Federal Ministry of Information, Mr George Ufot, has called for effective support from the Federal Government and private sector to boost Nigeria’s film industry.

Ufot made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that the country’s film industry would improve when through strong partnership and support from the government and private sector investors.

The director was reacting to the collaboration between the French, Japanese and Nigerian Animated Film festival.

Ufot said that the technology used during the film festival can be projected in a modern way, if necessary infrastructure and equipment were put in a place.

“At the festival they played around with high technology, technology in science, technology in computer, technology in television, production and film production.

“Traditionally, we have an invasion of our old folk’s stories and all the beautiful stories about tortoise and all that stuff can be seen in the same way as the one at that festival.

“But then this is being projected with the modern equipment and I mean the lasted equipment you can find in the industry.

“We need to collaborate definitely for this high technology, even Mr Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, echoed this at the French, Japan and Nigeria film festival, when he (minister) said the Federal Government was calling for collaboration in this area.

“Like I said high technology in science, computer, film and television equipment and so much is needed,’’ the director said.

He underscored the fact that talent and creativity has a large market in Nigeria has and considering the population it would be a profitable business.

“In Nigeria, we have the creativity, our people can create but defiantly you will agree with me that we have not attained the level of technology you see in developed countries films.

“One thing going for Nigeria is the population, the population is the already market, I mean the most populated country in the whole of Africa.

“The market is there you would have seen the turn out at the animated film festival; people were excited, something new, and something innovative,’’ Ufot said.

NAN reports that in strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and France, Mr Denys Gauer, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, assured that an animated film workshop with facilitators from Europe would be organised in 2017. (NAN)
ETIM/MST/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-4
Miners
By Shuaibu Tatu
Birnin-Kebbi, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State Government has warned illegal miners to obtain official permit and form cooperative societies to benefit from government support and avoid prosecution.

Alhaji Zailani Mohammad, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, gave the warning on Thursday while addressing the miners at Mararabar, Yauri Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammad was accompanied by officials of the state Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and other stakeholders.

He said that the visit was to intimate the miners of the state government’s readiness to collaborate with them in harnessing the solid minerals for revenue generation.

The commissioner also tasked them on the need to be law abiding and to be well organised to attract support from the state government.

He said that the state government would focus attention on solid minerals due to the fallen price of fuel, adding that the visit was to interact with the miners on how to assist them to generate revenue.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Suleiman Marafa, advised the miners to be law abiding and adhere to rules of mining, especially payment of revenue to the state.

He urged them to ensure registration of their activities with relevant state and national authorities.

The Chairman, Yauri Emirate Miners Association, Mallam Abdullahi Maiakwai, assured that the miners would be law abiding and support the government, especially in the prompt payment of revenue. (NAN)
SZT/FF/GY
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Controlled by Grace Yussuf

NAN-HE-5
Dredging
By Mohammed Mamman
Damaturu, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe Government on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to dredge the Kumadugu Yobe River to enhance the water flow and improve irrigation farming in the state.

Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the appeal in Damaturu in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“Dredging the 765-km river will boost irrigation activities and improve food produce to allay fears of famine and food insecurity in Nigeria.
“The communities along the Yobe River Basin will produce more rice, wheat and grains to meet the food needs of the country.
“The dredging will enhance water flow in the river and provide adequate water through the channels to farmlands far away from the river for irrigation.”
Gajerima said that although the river suffered siltation with gross reduction in water flow, “we have recorded increasing number of irrigation farmers along the river basin.”
According to the commissioner, irrigation farmers are cultivating vegetables and getting ready to plant rice and wheat after harvesting the vegetables.
He said that 1,500 hectares of land had been earmarked for rice, wheat and vegetables planting under the state government’s irrigation programme in Nguru, Jumbam and Giedam.
“Over 4,000 youths are to be engaged to cultivate rice, wheat and vegetable to provide them with employment through agriculture.”
“Very soon, the markets will be flooded with tomatoes, pepper and onions.

‘’I appeal for partnership with private sector for the preservation of the harvests.
The commissioner, however, cautioned farmers against selling off harvested rice and grains.
‘’There are reports of grain merchants moving across the states mopping up the harvests, we must resist that to fight food insecurity.”
NAN reports that the Federal Government has warned of impending famine due to huge demand for Nigeria’s grains in the global market. (NAN)
MM/DUA/TA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-ELS-9
Braids
By Tinuade Adeshiyan
Lagos, Nov.17, 2016(NAN) Amid the preference for “Brazilian Hair’’ as a fashion statement by ladies, the “Crochet Braids’’ appear to be making waves these days, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

In series of interviews carried out by NAN on Thursday in Lagos most of the beauticians said that crochet braids are now the rave of the moment.

Unlike in other braids where the stylists used their hands to weave the intricate pattern, crochet braid is made with crochet pins.

For some time now, crochet braids have been gaining ground silently and has been influenced mainly by its texture which is natural.

Having been popular in the late 1990s and up to the early 2000, this practical hairstyle is back, with a more vibrant touch to it.

Mrs Caroline Badmus, a stylist with “Tutu Hairdressing Home’’ in Ikorodu, Lagos, said that most of her clients preferred crochet braid which, she added, was a simple task to handle.

“Almost all my customers wanted to do crochet braids because it doesn’t take time, all you need to do is weave the natural hair and use crochet pin to fix it on the hair,’’ she said.

Another beautician, Ronke Amos, in the Ketu area of Lagos, said the reason why most ladies preferred crochet braids was because of its variety and ability to keep natural hair safe and undamaged.

“It is a protective style with endless number of options and that is the more reason why so many women fell for it,’’ she said.

In the same vein, Mrs Lydia Ololade, a civil servant in Lagos, told NAN that she was more comfortable with the crochet braid because of its durability.

“I can carry it for up to two months if I like, all I need to do to maintain the sheen is to steam and oil it regularly.

“It can be converted into some other style, if you so wish,’’ Ololade added.

Meanwhile, Mr John Ubagwu, who deals on different brands of “hair’’ in the popular “Balogun Market’’ on Lagos Island, told NAN that the bulk of his clients now preferred crochet braid.

He added that the reason for their preference for crochet braid was that it lasted longer and was reusable.

“With the numerous demands from my customers, I now sell more of the crochet braid than the other normal hair,’’ he said.

NAN reports that crochet braiding is usually done by adding extensions to the hair through the corn rowing method on which the extension is applied. (NAN)
TAL/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-HE-4
Miners
By Shuaibu Tatu
BirninKebbi, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State government has advised illegal miners in the state to obtain official permits and form cooperatives.
This will enable them to benefit from the state government and also protect them from prosecution.

The state Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Zailani Mohammad, gave the advice while addressing the miners at Mararabar in
Yauri Local Government area on Thursday.

Mohammed was accompanied by officials of the Revenue Mobiliation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in the state as well as other stakeholders.

He said the visit was to intimate the artisanal miners of the state government’s readiness to collaborate with them in harnessing solid mineral resources to boost revenue generation.

Mohammed urged them to be law abiding so that they could attract support from the state government.

He said that the state government would now focus attention on development of solid minerals in view of the falling price of crude oil.
The commissioner said that the aim of the visit was to interact with the miners on ways to boost revenue
generation in the state.

The state Commissioner of the Environment, Alhaji Suleiman Marafa, also advised the artisanal miners to be law abiding and adhere to rules on mining, especially payment of royalties to the state.

He also urged them to register with relevant state and national authorities.

The Chairman of Yauri Emirate Miners Association, Mallam Abdullahi Maiakwai, said the miners were law abiding and supported the authorities, especially on the payment of dues promptly. (NAN)
SZT//FF/TA
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi

ASUU: FUT Minna joins one week warning strike

NAN-H-32

Strike

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) ASUU members in the Federal University of Technology Minna have joined their counterparts on a one week warning strike to press home their demand for improved working conditions.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the two campuses of the university on Thursday reports that students were found idling away as the lecturers stayed away from classes.

The strike is in compliance with the directive of the ASUU national secretariat.

Commenting on the development, Mr Musa Ibrahim, a student of the Department of Educational Technology appealed to the Federal Government to engage the ASUU officials in dialogue with a view to addressing the demands of the lecturers.

“Federal Government should please listen to them because at the end of the day we students are at the receiving end,’’ Ibrahim said.

Dr Suleiman Ndanista, branch Chairman of ASUU in the university, told NAN that 99 per cent of members have adhered to the union directives.

“So far so good we have embarked on one week strike action and am very impressed by the level of compliance of our members.

“We will remain resolute in ensuring that the strike is total as directed by the national body of our great union.

“We are just agitating for the best interest of students, parents and for the overall development of the education sector to ensure academic excellence,” he said.

The chairman said that all that was required by the federal government was to commit political will in meeting the demands of the union. (NAN)
AAG/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola