Blog

Women group trains 100 disable members on skills acquisition

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Skills
By Martha Agas
Jos, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) A women group, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), has trained 100 women with disabilities in Plateau on various skills to be self reliant.

The beneficiaries were trained on catering, tailoring, soap making and beads making, among others.

The State Coordinator of the group, Miss Esther Sunday, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

She said the group facilitated the training through self sourcing from its cooperative to reduce the hardship faced by the group who were doubled disadvantaged in life.

“We are not only vulnerable as women but double disadvantage because we are women and also disabled,’’ she said.

The coordinator said the group, which started operation in Plateau in 2010, seeks to empower women with disabilities through access to education, quality healthcare and skill acquisition, among others.

She implored the government, individuals and NGOs to assist the group through start up grants or facilities to help grandaunts start up their businesses and provision of mobility aids.

“These women have been trained on various skills to reduce their hardship but we do not have the resources to provide start up grants and facilities for them to start up their businesses. We solicit with Government, NGOs and individuals to come to our aid.

“We also implore government to make special provision for women with disabilities in its employment opportunities and access to micro credit facilities; this will give us a sense of inclusiveness in the society,’’ she said.

NAN also reports that AWWDI, founded in 2009, is focusing on six main categories of disability among women.

They are women who are deaf, blind, physical disabilities, women affected by leprosy, women with HIV/AIDS and women with Obstetric Fistula (OF). (NAN)
MAA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Obama to visit Acropolis ahead of speech to the Greek people

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Obama

Athens, Nov. 16, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama was set to visit Greece’s famed Acropolis before giving a speech to the Greek people on Wednesday.

This will be done during the penultimate leg of his final tour as president before heading to Germany.

Obama had met with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday in an effort to assuage fears about the impending presidency of Donald Trump.

He also advocates debt relief to ease the country’s financial crisis.

The president’s final foreign tour is considered symbolically important as European leaders watch events in Washington closely against the backdrop of right-wing and populist movements in their own countries.

Obama is expected to arrive at Berlin’s Tegel airport in the late afternoon.

He is scheduled to meet German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on Thursday and attend a meeting with Merkel and other EU leaders on Friday. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

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President
By Babajide Awoyinfa
Lagos, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) One of Nigeria’s renowned comedians, “Seyi Law’’, has declared that he will run for the post of the president in the upcoming 2019 Presidential Election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the comedian made the declaration on his Instagram page on Wednesday.

“I am Aletile Oluwaseyitan Lawrence aka “Seyi Law’’ and I am running for the highest office in the land in 2019, “he wrote on Instagram.

“It is time to take the bull by the horns; youthful and working towards a new Nigeria.

“I believe I can also pull a Donald Trump on Nigerians in 2019 and the campaign has started.

“Why aim low when you can aim high?

He said he believed that status quo change was what Nigeria needed to regain its place as a force to reckon with, adding that the energy and knowledge of the Nigerian Youth must be put to positive use.

“It is time we acknowledged the ingenuity of our vibrant men and women to ensure proper representation at the different levels of governance, and not mere reduction to PAs and SAs.

“We must ensure we retain our best brains in the country and adequately make provision to reform our educational institutions, healthcare system and industries.

“Our ways of learning must change to meet required standard,” he said.

By this declaration, Seyi Law has joined fellow comedian, Basketmouth, who had earlier declared his intention to contest for the post of president in 2019. (NAN)
BAG/NKO/NKO
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By Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Programme
Dutse, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 3,5000 pregnant women in Buji LGA of Jigawa are expected to benefit from N30.8 million grant to be disbursed by Child Development Grant Programme (CDGP) an NGO operating in the area.

The council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Dutse in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that CDGP is being implemented in three selected local government areas of the state –Buji, Gagarawa and Kirikassamma.

It provides unconditional monthly cash transfers of N3,500 to screened pregnant women through pregnancy and until the child reaches the age of two.

The cash assistance is to assist the beneficiaries feed well, cater for their pregnancy and the child after birth, in order to reduce the rate of maternal mortality in the local government.

Safiyanu said that Alhaji Abdullahi Bala, the Officer in charge of the NGO in the area, made the announcement during a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Buji.

He quoted Bala as saying that 80 women were not allowed to participate in the programme for failing to meet the conditions specified by the NGO.

The spokesperson told NAN some of these intended beneficiaries claimed to have delivered by hiring babies from relatives or friends.

Safiyanu added that such women and others who engaged in fraudulent activities were those disqualified from benefiting from the grant.

He said that Alhaji Hashimu Ahmad, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, gave assurance that the council would support and cooperate with the NGO to ensure successful execution of the programme in the area. (NAN)

MNB/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

3 jailed for stealing in church

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Jail
By Shedrach Kabruk
Jos, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced three men to 22 months imprisonment for stealing from a church.

Magistrate Helen Danboyi convicted Mathew Daniel, 38; Monday Garba, 32; and Peter Chris, 38, of a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft and mischief, following their guilty plea.

Danboyi sentenced Daniel to four months jail term with an option of N1,000 fine; Garba, six months with an option of N1,500 fine; and Chris, the ring leader, 12 months with no fine option.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Yange Terzungwe, had told the court that the three men stole items valued at N281,360 from the Grace and Light Ministry in Dong Kasa.

He said that the crime took place on Oct. 1.

According to him, the trio broke into the church auditorium through its burglary proof and stole a laptop worth N250,000,;a telephone valued at N20,000; nine MTN recharge cards worth N750 each and a cash sum of N4,560.

He said that the offences were punishable under sections 97 and 345 of the Penal Code, Laws of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

N37.5b contract: Commission frowns on lapses in East-West road contract execution

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Road

Eket (Akwa Ibom) Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has frowned on the lapses noticed in the supervision and execution of Eket-Oron axis of East-West road in Akwa Ibom.

The Acting Chairman of FRC, Mr Victor Muruako, who inspected the road on Wednesday, expressed displeasure at the slow pace and poor quality of work done by Gitto Construction Company.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contract for the 50-km stretch from Oron-Eket-Onna axis of East-West road was awarded in 2006 and completion date was 2010.

The completion date of the road was, however, extended to Feb. 28, 2016, but up till this November the work is at 96 per cent completion stage.

NAN reports that the total contract sum was N37.5 billion and so far the contractor had collected the sum of N33 billion for the Eket axis of East-West road.

Muruako said that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had not supervised the East-West road construction effectively.

He expressed dismay that the Project Secretary from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at construction site could not provide relevant information on the progress of the contract.

“The ministry is not supervising this project. This is the problem in this country. You are supposed to be on the contractor’s neck to ensure that the work is done.

“We owe the citizens the obligation to do our work well. The citizens should get value for money spent by the government on projects,” Muruako said.

He expressed regret that some portions of the road had already failed while the contractor was still on site.

Muruako also said  that road signs and comfort facilities provided in the construction design had not been fixed by the contractor.

The PRC team also questioned why the dual carriage way from Oron was  altered into a single lane at Ikot Usekong stretching about 7.1 km through Eket-Oron road to Eket-Onna bridgehead.

Responding, the Project Manager of Gitto Construction Company, Mr Ghaniem Rasbia, explained that the 50-km road had seven bridges.

Rasbia said that the alteration of dual carriage way into single lane at Ikot Usekong was approved by government to save cost arising from payment of compensation to property owners.

He said that the government had consultation with the people and a bye-pass was approved in lieu of the dual carriage way, but the contract had yet to be awarded.

Rasbia informed the commission that his company was working on the third review of the contract based on variations in quantity and cost incurred by the company. (NAN)

BB/TA

Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Man who `enjoyed’ marriage for 2 weeks demands N200, 000 compensation

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Compensation

By Blessing Ibegbu

Mararaba (Nasarawa State) Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) An aggrieved ex-husband, Echele Idah, on Wednesday demanded   N200,000 compensation from his former wife, whom he `enjoyed’ for  only two weeks.

Idah told a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, that  he got married to his ex-wife, Gloria Uche in  2013.

He said that they spent only two weeks together, before she left to an unknown destination.

Idah presented evidence of payments for   the traditional marriage rites, and demanded repayment of N200,000, as compensation for the troubles he went through.

“Apart from other minor expenses, I paid N300, 000 into ECObank and N70, 000 into GT Bank for her father and mother’s traditional rites respectively as requested by them.

“Also, N119,000 was paid to The Young Shall Grow Motors, Mararaba to convey both my family and that of Gloria to Isi Ala Ngwa, Abia State, Gloria’s home town.

“After many months of her disappearance, she called to tell me that she was now married to another man.

“I reported the matter severally to her parents, but what I got was a threat, that I should find their daughter.

“Before she divorced me, I made several efforts to locate her but to no avail, but rather spoke with one Mr Matthew through her phone, who claimed to be her husband.

“ I demand a compensation of N200, 000 for frustrating my efforts and all the troubles and money I spent in search of her,” he said.

However, counsel to the respondent, Mr Anayo Lebechi, objecting to all the evidence brought by Idah.

He said that he only paid N10,000, adding that he was  still owning.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the couple legally divorced in August  2016.

The judge,  Albert Maga adjourned the case for further hearing. (NAN)

BLE/OU/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Beijing’s most-wanted fugitive voluntarily returns to China

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Fugitive

Beijing, Nov. 16, 2016 (dpa/NAN) China’s most-wanted fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, voluntarily returned from the U.S. on Wednesday, Beijing’s main anti-corruption agency said.

Yang, a former Deputy Director of the Construction Bureau of East China’s Zhejiang province, was number one on a list of China’s 100 most-wanted fugitives abroad, issued in April.

“She fled the country in April 2003 after anti-corruption inspectors began an investigation into her alleged involvement in embezzlement,’’ Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said.

It said that the U.S. law enforcement agencies had cooperated with the investigation, and have frozen the 70-year-old’s assets in America.

“The case of Yang Xiuzhu is an important achievement of Sino-US anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation,’’ it said.

Her return comes amid an ongoing operation by the Chinese government to capture suspects who have fled the country.

She is the 37th suspect on the wanted list to return to China, according to the CCDI.

The most popular destinations for former Chinese officials are the U.S., Canada and Australia, none of which have extradition treaties with Beijing.

In some cases China sends agents abroad to contact fugitives and try to persuade them to return.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences estimates that 16,000 to 18,000 dollars former officials fled with a total of 140 billion dollars from the mid-1990s to 2008. (dpa/NAN)

OYE/MST

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Appointment
Istanbul, Nov. 16, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Turkey has appointed Kemal Okem as new Ambassador to Israel, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday, filling a seat vacant since 2010.

The move came a day after Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey.

The announcement marked an end to six years of tensions, which peaked when Israeli naval commandos conducted lethal raid on a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla.

The ships were aiming to breach the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Among them were 10 Turkish nationals, one with joint U.S. citizenship who died as a result of the raid on the ship, Mavi Marmara.

Eitan Naeh, who is currently the Deputy Ambassador of Israel in London, will be posted to Ankara.

Okem is a former senior foreign policy advisor to the Turkish government.

Under the reconciliation deal, Turkey had already been able to up the amount of aid sent to Palestinians in the embattled Gaza Strip, though Turkey failed to achieve a lifting of the blockage.

In 2013, Israel expressed regret for the deaths, a key Turkish demand to restore once vibrant ties.

Israel had also transferred a lump sum of 20 million dollars into a Turkish government account, meant to be distributed to victims’ families.

Erdogan had been a staunch critic of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip at one point, accusing Israel of attempting genocide and more barbaric than Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Ankara is close to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic militant movement. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Trump shuffles transition team, eyes loyalists for cabinet

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Cabinet

Washington, Nov. 16, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) President-elect Donald Trump shuffled his transition team again, jettisoning a national security expert and lobbyists from his inner circle as he closed in on naming two loyal Wall Street backers to key economic positions.

Trump, a Republican outsider who won a surprise election victory last week, also cleared a paperwork snag that had temporarily stalled his transition after he put his Vice President-elect Mike Pence in charge of the process.

“Very organised process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions,” Trump said on Twitter after taking his family to dinner at 21 Club, a Manhattan restaurant.

“I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!” he said.

At the top of his list for senior economic positions are campaign finance chair and Wall Street veteran Steve Mnuchin as treasury secretary.

Also, long-time backer and billionaire investor Wilbur Ross for commerce secretary, according to Trump ally and activist investor Carl Icahn.

However, a well-known Republican moderate was pushed out of transition planning.

Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative from Michigan who had been mentioned as a possible pick for CIA director, suddenly left the transition team.

Rogers had worked with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who on Friday was abruptly replaced by Pence as head of the transition team.

That overhaul had put the brakes on transition talks with the White House.

Pence needed to sign a memorandum of understanding, which the White House received on Tuesday evening.

The Trump team still needs to provide more paperwork before detailed agency-by-agency briefings can take place, a White House spokeswoman said.

The team will need to provide a code of conduct and certify that its transition team members do not have conflicts of interest. (Reuters/NAN)

OYE/MST

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola