Blog

Sokoto Govt assists 5 victims of dog bites – Official

NAN-HG-6

Victims

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Government says it has assisted five victims of dog bites in Mabera, Sokoto South Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Monday.

Alkali noted that dog bites with injuries that result in rabies were prevalent in the metropolis.

“The Ministry had assisted the victims at Mabera Kantin Sani, Sokoto South Local Government Area,” the commissioner said.

He said the “’culprit dog” was confirmed to be a “’mad dog” after its specimen was tested by specialists at the Veterinary Hospital, and was found positive.

“This indicated that the dog had gone mad and inflicted the victims with rabies and a danger to the society,” he said.

On his part, the state Director, Veterinary Services, Dr AbdulKadir Adamu, warned that: “Dog bite is very dangerous as it can cause rabies to human beings.

“’This could result in slow death after initial signs of infection.”

Adamu advised dog owners to ensure that the pests are vaccinated regularly to avoid spreading rabbies in the state. (NAN)

MNB/DS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-72
Agreement
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, says Nigeria is committed to the Yamoussoukro Open Sky Agreement by all African countries towards harmonising the continent’s airspace.

Sirika disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at the 24th Meeting of Western and Central Africa Satellite Network Management Committee (SNMC) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria is a signatory to the decision and declaration, adding that plans were on to ratify the declaration for its implementation to come into force.

“As I am talking to you, there is a committee in place to guide the implementation of the YD because we believe in one African Sky.

“We also believe in growth, development and taking leverage and opportunity that we have that available within the African skies to become great.

“The United States is number one aviation nation today because they have decided to open their skies and consolidate their airlines and become much stronger and bigger than any other region on earth.’’

The minister said the only way that African aviation could grow would be to implement fully the Yamoussoukro Decision.

He also said that the Federal Government was committed to providing automated radar system in all its 26 airports, to address the challenges in air traffic navigation and communication.

According to him, government is providing funding in the 2017 budget to address critical safety issues, adding that they would be tackled in phases.

“Very soon, Nigeria will become one of the best air spaces and I assure you it will be a delight flying both by the passengers, the pilots and engineers that are working within the industry,’’ Sirika said. (NAN)
OYS/HS/NKO
============

By  Hajia Sani/Nkechi Okoronkwo

========================

NAN-HG-14

Services

Bu Husseyn Mbar

Bauchi, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Dr Mohammed Alkali, Chief Medical Director, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, says lack of infrastructure has limited the hospital’s capacity to deliver ideal services.

Alkali made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

in Bauchi on Monday

Cue in audio (Alkali)

“The infrastructure are things that are challenging because the initial design of the hospital was that of a service hospital.

“And what we did initially at inception was actually to set up appropriate structures that are in consonance with the current mandate of the hospital to teach, to do research, and to train.

“And then the older ones that we could modify we have modified because of the challenges of financing we couldn’t do as much as we planned to do.

“And some of the structures we put like the radiology and modular theatres, we were not able to equip them to our expectations.

“But we believe that this is what we are going to focus on and of course the challenges we discovered that at that time we had a trauma centre and we thought that  it will carter for our activities but we suddenly realise that it’s too inadequate.

“And that is why we started the second phase which is ongoing now.

“We had some challenges we could have finished it this year, but I believe that by next year we will complete it and put it to use.’’

Cue out audio

He also blamed the poor services being provided at the facility on the attitude of some of the staff towards work.

He said: “We inherited over 90 per cent of the staff from the state government and they are used to working within the state government system

“And of course we employed a few more, but the ones that we inherited are much more in number.

“Their working culture and the way they operate is quite different from what is expected.

“I have a lot of challenges because you should not expect someone who does not know something to give that thing he or she does not know or have.

“We sent a couple of them on in-house training and some to other institutions for training.

“Although we are employing new ones, who understand this practice, we feel that the time has come for us to establish a culture for the institution as a federal tertiary institution.”

NAN recalls that the hospital had organised a retreat for its principal staff in an efforts to address some of the challenges being faced by the institution. (NAN)

HAM/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

===============================

NAN-H-68
Supermoon
By Constance Athekame and Gabriel Agbeja
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) says `supermoon’ that will be witnessed in some parts of the earth on Monday night has not much significance on the planet.

Mr Benjamin Ayantunji, the Chief Scientist, NASRDA, said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that supermoon phenomenon is a non-technical term for a moon that turns full at the same time it hits perigee – the point on its orbit when it is closest to earth.

The moon’s path around earth planet is shaped more like an oval than a circle, so there are times when it is closer to earth (perigee) and times when it is farther away (apogee).

Experts say the same kind of supermoon experience after Monday night will appear again in November, 2034 in some places around the world.

According to Ayantunji, ‘supermoon’ happens when the moon is closer to the earth than usual.

“Basically, there is no significant effect of supermoon, but one thing about it is that it is closer to the earth than usual.

“The orbit of the moon round the earth is spherical; it is not a complete circle, sometimes appears closer than the other times and farther other times.

“When it is closer to the earth, at its closest point, we have a full moon at that point we have a bigger moon than the usual.

“For instance, if you looked at the moon yesterday (Sunday night), toward 8 p.m., it appeared very bright and big; that is how it will be till the end of this period and that is what we call supermoon, he said.

The chief scientist added: “The force of attraction between the earth and the moon and this force decreases as the distance between them increases.

“This force is called ‘diffusional pull’, that is it becomes higher when you have supermoon, in places where you have oceans, like the Atlantic Ocean, you experience higher tides than usual,” he said.

“Watch the moon tonight between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the size becomes bigger; this size will continue to grow big until we have a full moon. It will keep increasing. Apart from the high tides, there is no other significant effect,’’ he said.

Mr Adeleye Talabi, the Director Technology Acquisition and Adaptation (TAA), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, assured that there was nothing to panic about on sighting the supermoon.

He described the supermoon as a new or full moon that occurs at roughly the same time the moon is nearest the earth in its monthly orbit.

“Some might think that the supermoon has some kind of effect on people on earth. But does it really? I think, the effect cannot be so harmful on human,“ he said.

According to him, a supermoon’s pull of gravity creates higher-than-usual tides.

“But gravity doesn’t affect a human body as much as it does an ocean tide.

“We are coming up on the closest “super moon’’ since 1948 today (Nov. 14), 2016, “ he said.

“What makes this month’s supermoon extra special is the fact that it will be the closest to earth since January 1948.

“The moon’s average distance from Earth is about 240,000 miles, but Monday’s supermoon will be a mere 227,000 miles away.

“It may not sound like much, but the relative proximity will result in a moon that could appear as much as 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than a typical full moon,“ he said. (NAN)
FGA/COA/DO/GY
===============

Edited by David Onilede/Grace Yussuf

Dry season: FFS cautions Nigerians against fire outbreak
NAN-DS-7
Fire
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Nov.2016 (NAN) The Controller General, Federal Fire Service (FFS), Mr Joseph Anebi, has urged Nigerians to guard against uncontrolled fire outbreaks as the country is experiencing dry season.

Anebi, who was represented by Mr Machie Emmanuel, Head of Operations of the service, made the call while declaring open the 2016 National Fire Safety Week in Abuja on Monday.

He said the event was held annually to create awareness on the dangers of uncontrolled fire in the nation’s environment especially during the harmattan period.

According to him, this year’s event with the theme “Minimising fire outbreaks: Precaution is the Answer’’, will provide the opportunity to educate the public on the threat posed by uncontrolled fires.

“Uncontrolled Fires are avoidable if people understand how they start, know the inherent dangers and take necessary precautions to checkmate the threat.

“We are in the season of incessant fire outbreaks, quite a lot of fires are recorded between November and March of every year because of the dry wind which readily aids ignition and fire spread.

“Available records show that during this period, the frequency of the fire outbreaks is about three times more than is experienced in other seasons,’’ he said.

The controller-general said it was a known fact that most fire outbreaks resulted from human failings.

“Our expectation at the end of this awareness programme is that the general public will be equipped with the relevant knowledge and skill to cope with fire-related emergencies especially at the incipient stages.

“Our message to the public is clear, the threat of fire is real and the possibility of its occurrence is quite high if appropriate fire safety precautions are not taken,’’ he said.

Anebi urged Nigerians to collectively tackle the menace to free the country from the shackles of uncontrolled fires which wrecked havoc to the Nigeria’s economy.

He said the activities earmarked for this year’s programme included parades and drills, exhibition of fire service tools and awareness on fire prevention measures through the media.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by AVM Charles Otegbade, urged Nigerians to take fire safety seriously in order to save lives and property.

Abubakar said the best way to fight fire was to prevent it, adding that safety first and when this was achieved, the work of the fire service would be easier.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to ask themselves safety questions everyday like “what have I done to prevent fire today, and what have I done to put fire off”.

According to him, the consciousness of these questions will go a long way in creating safety awareness on prevention of fire outbreaks in Nigeria.(NAN)
ATAB/ADA/AMY

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-DS-6
Veterans
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has
commended soldiers from commonwealth countries who served in the two World Wars,
saying the veterans sacrificed their lives to secure lasting peace in member countries.

Arkwright made the commendation at the 100th Remembrance Day of the veterans at
the British High Commission in Abuja on Monday.

The envoy said the day was set aside to hounour men and women who were killed during the first and second World Wars and other conflicts of the modern age.

He added that “today, we honour the sacrifice and courage of millions of our fellow citizens across the Commonwealth who died in the war to secure lasting peace for future generation.

“The tradition of Remembrance Day began after the first World War; this year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of The Sum, which took place on July 1 to Nov. 18, 1916.

“This joint British and French operation led to one million allies and German casualties and marked the bloodiest day in British military history.

“With 50,470 casualties alone in one day on July 1, 1916, this was the British army’s darkest
day.”

The high commissioner further said that those who served in the first World War did
so “believing they were fighting to end all wars.”

He added that the commemoration of the day would allow countries to reflect on the consequences of conflicts that prevailed globally.

“Even though many nations who once fought against each other are now joined together in firm friendship by shared commitment of peace and democracy, conflict, bloodshed and instability continue to blight the lives of millions around the world.

“On this remembrance day, let us remember the human corpses of war and conflict, let us remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives were taken away in world wars and conflicts.

“Let us also remember the grief and the sufferings of those left behind; in remembering them, let us also pay tribute for the bravery of those who continue to face danger or death on our behalf today in the service of peace and humanity.”

World War I, or the Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from July 28, 1914 to Nov. 11, 1918.

More than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilised in one of the largest wars in history.

Over nine million combatants and seven million civilians died as a result of the war.

World War II (WWII) was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945.

WWII involved the vast majority of the world’s nations and the most widespread war in history and directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries.

The war was marked by mass deaths of civilians, including the Holocaust, in which approximately 11 million people were killed. (NAN)
ETIM/ACO/HA
=============
Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

AFAN urges FG to implement GES early in 2017 to boost production
NAN-AE-10
Disbursement
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State chapter, on Monday urged the Federal Government to implement 2017 Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme very early to boost agricultural production.

The AFAN Chairman in the state, Alhaji Nuhu Aminu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State that the programme would no doubt enhance food security.

“GES will certainly strengthen food production because the programme had penetrated both urban and rural areas of the country.

“It is worthy to mention that over the years, GES had really assisted in bringing fertiliser to the door steps of Nigerian farmers, thereby simplifying means of getting the commodity,” he said.

Aminu appealed to the Federal Government to streamline the programme to meet the demands of the rural farmers and boost their production.

He, however, applauded the `gigantic’ efforts of the Federal Government towards diversification of the economy through agriculture.

The chairman said indices had shown that the approach by the Federal Government to improve agriculture would definitely address some of the challenges facing food production.

Aminu observed that nearly 80,000 farmers across the state will benefit from fertiliser and other farming inputs for dry season farming.

“This effort will address some of the challenges faced by farmers, especially in dry season farming,” he said.

While commending the efforts of All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari towards agricultural transformation, Aminu urged him to sustain the tempo. (NAN)
KLM/OSA/AFA
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Felix Ajide
=========================

NAN-H-67
Restructuring
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has reiterated that the ongoing restructuring in the aviation agencies was to ensure justice in the system and reposition the sector for profitability.

Sirika said this in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, in Abuja.

He said the restructuring at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was far from over, adding that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were next.

Sirika, while addressing stakeholders in Lagos at the weekend, explained that government had started re-deploying, demoting and terminating appointments of staff over improper placement at these agencies, especially in FAAN.

According to him, the restructuring became imperative because of top-heaviness in these agencies with a combined total of 88 general managers on grade level 17 and above on the payroll.

“Government is handling the restructuring in phases with a view to creating leaner and more effective agency instead of the over-bloated workforce that has provided little or no impact in the system.”

Sirika clarified that the planned concession and the ongoing Chinese-funded terminal projects across the country would not have any effect on each other.

He explained that the Chinese-funded terminal was not a concession or Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) but a loan, stating that both were not contradicting the same purpose.

“The Chinese terminals are not BOTs. It was a loan of which the Chinese provided 500 million dollars and Nigeria provided 100-million-dollar counterpart funding.

“Even at that, the biggest of those terminals will be doing 1.5 million passengers annually but what we are looking at is different and larger.

According to him, Abuja terminal will be relocated as it is blocking the control tower and the fire service.

The minister said the government, “having committed this faux pas”, would spend not less than 30 million dollars to move the fire service and another 40 million dollars to move the control tower.

However, he said this was not economical, adding that if the planned concession was done transparentlywith stakeholders’ buy-in, the process would work.

Sirika said that the ministry was set to reposition the Aviation Security (AVSEC) apparatus of FAAN into something similar to the U.S. Transport Security Agency (TSA).

“We have the approval and have gone to the Ministry of Interior to inquire what was needed; we are engaging them in an inter-ministerial capacity and when we iron it all out, you will see the changes,” he said. (NAN)
OYS/HS/NKO

==========

Edited by Halima Sheji/Nkechi Okoronkwo
==============================

NAN-H-56

Aeronautic

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that the first phase of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) new aeronautical telecommunication network project would be completed in December.

Sirika stated this on Monday at the 24th Meeting of Western and Central Africa Satellite Network Management Committee (SNMC) holding in Abuja.

He said that the country embarked on the project with the aim of developing a new communication backbone with a network of 22 VSATs at all Nigerian airports.

The minister explained that the first phase of the project was sited at 11 locations, while the remaining 15 locations would be completed in 2017.

He also said the project had delivered a centralised aeronautical database that was currently being populated with data to enhance seamless integration with other states or the regional database.

“Nigeria has also procured and is currently installing six new Doppler VORs (VHF Omni-directional Range), six new Instrument Landing Systems with collated distance measuring equipment at six airports to enhance air navigation.

“Similarly, approval has been granted for the software and hardware upgrade and maintenance of the current Total Rader Coverage to make the system more efficient and interoperable with other systems.

“In an effort to enhance air navigation, a Controller Pilot Data Communication System (CPDLC) and an Automatic Dependant Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) were installed in 2015 to provide strategic back-up for existing surveillance systems,’’ he said.

Sirika said that the country had nine Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) systems with a range of 256 nautical miles that were strategically distributed to provide total radar coverage of Nigeria’s airspace.

He said that the location of those radar systems adequately overlapped into neighbouring airspaces of Niamey, Lome, Cotonou, Ndjamena, Douala and Accra.

According to him, in the spirit of one aviation and single African Sky, Nigeria remains committed to any initiative that would ensure safe, secure and cost effective communication, navigation and surveillance data sharing.

Mr Francois-Xavier Salambanga, Regional Officer, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), said the meeting was aimed at increasing the stakeholders’ awareness for a best and balanced decision making.

Salambanga added that the meeting would also give opportunity for the industry to provide participants with the latest technologies trends in the matter of satellite communication.

He said that the main objective was to insure the safety of people and goods which travelled by air and to contribute to the development of the economy of air transportation in the AFI region.

Salambanga said that communication played a crucial role in all the sectors of civil aviation in particular in the provision of air navigation service.

According to him, that is why the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) gives particular importance to the AFISNET network, in particular to the activities related to its management.

“It supports the various initiatives of states and organizations to find common solutions in a sub-regional or regional frame.

“In this regard, initiatives have been taken towards the Economic Commission of the West African States (ECOWAS) with the aim to request facilitation for funding,’’ he said. (NAN)

OYS/FAT/OPI

Edited by Fatima Sule and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-HE-15

Recruitment
By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Nov.14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has warned members of the public against falling to the antics of fraudsters who post fake auction advertisements purportedly by the service in the social media.

Mr Godwin Andishu , Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Port 2 Customs Command, Ijora, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

He said the warning became imperative because of the increasing complaints by Nigerians who had been duped by some unscrupulous elements through such advertisements.

Andishu explained that it was not the practice of customs to place auction advertisements of abandoned vehicles in its custody in the social media, urging the public to disregard such posts in their own interest.

“We wish to tell the general public that those advertisements on social media purportedly by us calling for people to send money to purchase abandoned vehicles in our custody are misleading.

“We do not auction or sell vehicles online; those who are posing as customs officers are fraudsters who are out to defraud Nigerians of their hard-earned money.

“Nigerians should disregard such advertisements as the service only advertises items to be auctioned on its official website, detailing the procedures to follow by members of the public.

“The NSC does not operate any private account and no personnel of the service are authorized to collect money on its behalf into any account.

“The fraudsters are all over the place using the name of the customs to perpetrate their nefarious acts. People should act wisely by ignoring them,“ he said.

Andishu said the service had not had any auction since August 2015 on the directive of the Comptroller-General, Col. Hammed Ali.

He added that the forensic unit of the service had been consistently tasked to fish out these dishonest elements and make them face the wrath of the law.

The spokesman said the unit had recently arrested 12 of such fraudsters and they were being investigated for appropriate actions.

Andishu also warned job seekers against falling to the antics of those who asked them for money for recruitment into the service, saying the service had no recruitment agent.

“We are a responsible organisation; we do not ask for money for employment,“ he said.(NAN)

BHB/JPE/SOA

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Oluwole Sogunle
==============================
`