NAN-H-54
Police
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The police in Niger said on Monday that they have re-strategised their mode of operations for the yuletide to curb all forms of criminality.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Zubairu Muazu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the command had adopted security methods that would enable the residents to go about their activities without hindrance.
“All that will be expect from members of the public is to give vital information about bad elements living in their midst,” he said.
He explained that the command had already adopted sensitive security measures to pave way for a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in all parts of the state.
He said that operational order had since been issued to area commanders and divisional police officers in the 25 local government areas.
The commissioner solicited the support of stakeholders in mobilising the residents to volunteer information that could aid the arrest and prosecutes criminals.
“We are battle ready to confront any form of security threat as long as members of the public are ready to supply us with required intelligence about any form of security threat, ” he said.
He also said that the police would collaborate with other security agencies to provide peaceful atmosphere at all times.
“With the required information from members of the public, traditional and religious leaders, the police will be everywhere and ensure the protection of lives and property,” he said. (NAN)
AAG/ECN/MVO
(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Mbadiwe Okwor)
NAN-H-53
Delivery
Calabar, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Cross River, has taken delivery of 75,000 textbooks and 17,200 plastic furniture for distribution to Primary Schools in the state.
The state Executive Chairman of SUBEB Dr Stephen Odey made the disclosure on Monday in Calabar while briefing newsmen on the activities of the board.
He said that apart from the textbooks and chairs, the board also received four Hilux vehicles and a Prado Jeep for effective monitoring of schools across the state.
“As I speak to you, the board has taken custody of 75,000 textbooks from our contractor and we are left with only 10,000. We have also taken delivery of 17,200 plastic chairs out of the 50,000 that we are expecting.
“We also received four new Hilux vehicles and one Prado jeep for effective monitoring of schools in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state,’’ he said.
The Chairman debunked media publications alleging that the board was awarding contracts indiscriminately to cronies.
He said that all contracts were awarded in line with the provisions of the law.
“The board has N7.5 billion counterpart funds from the Federal and State Governments kept in the Bank. Payment for any contract must follow due process and certification.
“So, contrary to spurious publications in the media orchestrated by detractors, I do not have access to SUBEB money.
“We advertise for our jobs in an open bidding process.
“We have just completed analysis of 37 jobs which we advertised for and once all processes are done with, the contracts will be awarded.
“Here, we tried as much as we can to be very transparent in whatever we do, and our activities are open to public scrutiny,’’ he said.
Odey said that the board would soon commence bio-data capturing for all primary school teachers in the state to determine the bona-fide teachers.
According to him, the capturing has become necessary following the approval by the state governor for the board to take-over the payment of primary school teachers.
“Once this is completed, from December, teachers will be receiving their salaries monthly,’’ he said. (NAN)
BEN/OIF/AEA
===========
NAN-HE-7
Recovery
By Simon Akoje
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) A finance analyst, Mr Chris Nemedia, on Monday urged the Federal Government to design a road map for the country’s economy recovery.
Nemedia, a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the recovery initiative was commendable but coming late considering the challenges faced by the economy.
“We wish the blue print came earlier but it is never too late, especially when it deals with policy and recovery programmes.
“So long as the policy contains detailed ideas to revamp the economy and boost productive activities, it is welcome,’’ he said.
He also urged the government to stimulate the economy by expending on critical infrastructure that would accelerate growth in the economy.
“Spending on housing and more on power projects as well as agriculture will empower the people of all cadre in the society.
“However, emphasis should be on the implementation of various programmes because it is the key instrument that will pull the economy from recession and position it on the part of growth,’’ he added.
NAN reports that the FG plans a national economic reconstruction and growth plan that will reposition the economy on the path of success.
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, announced the plan in Abuja recently. (NAN)
STA/ENN/MVO
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)
NAN-S-10
Pro-wrestling
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria’s Power Lee, the Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) heavyweight title holder, on Monday expressed his readiness to advance his career in the international arena.
Power Lee, born Godspower Ikpide, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he had made his mark in professional wrestling in Africa and needed to up his game internationally.
“The time is ripe for me to compete at the international level in pro-wrestling among the toughest and the roughest in the industry to win more laurels.
“There is nothing more to fight for at home, no more warriors to conquer,’’ he said.
Power Lee, who defeated Marvelous Buffalo of Angola to retain his PWA title in August, said that PWA had concluded arrangements with a U.S.-based Allied Independent Wrestling Federation (AIWF) to showcase him.
The wrestler, who is also the current national heavyweight title holder, said that he would fight against U.S. Ty Tyson during the 25th Anniversary of AIWF, tagged USA Vs AFRICA in December.
Meanwhile, Olusesan Olukoya, the Secretary PWA has said that Power Lee would be a good ambassador of African pro-wrestling if he could compete internationally.
“African wrestling has not been truly represented in the world of wrestling and this is the gospel truth.
“Power Lee will see to that as a true and worthy African born and brought up talent,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Examinations Council (NEC) Committee has commended the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for providing braille facilities for blind students during the 2016 May/June WASSCE examination.
The commendation is contained in a communique issued at the end of the NEC’s 62nd meeting which held from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10 in Lagos.
A copy of the communiqué was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, Head of Public Affairs of the WAEC, on Monday in Lagos.
NAN reports that the committee – the highest decision-making organ of WAEC on examination-related matters in Nigeria – meets twice a year.
During such meeting, the NEC considers matters relating to the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates and private candidates.
According to the communiqué, the committee was equally happy with the council for facilitating easy reading for the albino candidates in bold prints.
It commended the examination body for providing additional supervisors to read the questions for dumb candidates at designated centres.
“We also want to commend the council for deploying a technology that can stop candidates previously barred for reasons of malpractice from registration for its examinations for a stated period.
“We congratulate the council for these developments and also urge it to sustain the feat,’’ the communiqué read in part.
The NEC stated that it received the report on irregularity as well as special and clemency cases arising from the conduct of its 2015 November/December diet of its examination, which was considered at the 61st meeting.
“The committee also considered report on the conduct of the 2016 WASSCE for school candidates and irregularity cases arising from the conduct of the examination.
“In considering various reported cases of malpractice, the committee approved appropriate sanctions in all established cases, after diligent deliberations.
“The committee also approved that the entire results of candidates involved in proven cases, which attract Cancellation of Entire Results (CER), be cancelled.
“Similarly, results of those involved in proven cases, which attract CSR (Cancellation of Subject Results), should also be cancelled,’’ it said.
The meeting resolved that in addition, some candidates would also suffer other sanctions such as barring them from sitting for the council’s examinations for a certain number of years.
Similarly it resolved that some schools that aided malpractices during such examinations should be de-recognised and their Principals reported to the Federal Ministry of Education for disciplinary action.
According to the communiqué, erring supervisors will be blacklisted while the decisions of the committee will be implemented without delay.
The affected candidates and schools would be duly informed by the council, while results of candidates, who were exonerated by the committee, will be released.
The committee also considered various shortcomings of candidates as reported by the Chief Examiners.
It noted that government at all levels should train and retrain teachers through workshops and seminars to keep them abreast of global best practices in teaching various subjects.
It also resolved that candidates should be exposed to more practical activities and that teachers should make use of the feedback provided by WAEC to prepare candidates adequately for its examinations.
The committee resolved to take stringent measures against high incidence of schools writing on the chalkboards for their students to copy during the May/June examination.
“If a school is warned for cheating, aiding and abetting three times within five years, it should be de-recognised.
“Already, the committee had withdrawn the recognition of two schools for assaulting a supervisor,’’ the communiqué read in part. (NAN)
Pharmacist decries rising cases of sudden death, suggests regular checks
NAN-HG-10
Death
Jos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) With more `sudden deaths’ recorded on the Plateau, a pharmacist, Mrs. Rotkang Okunlola, has advised Nigerians to make regular medical checks `a necessary priority”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some senior medical personnel recently died few minutes after complaining of chest pain.
Medical opinions have suggested that the deaths might have been avoided if the victims had made regular checks a priority.
Okunola, a Chief Pharmacist with Dilimi Pharmacy, Jos, who spoke on the trend, advised Nigerians to insist on consistent medical checks and avoid assuming that they were in good health.
“The regular medical checks should be seen as mandatory; they are very vital to curtailing the rising tide of sudden deaths amongst Nigerians,” she told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Jos.
She defined sudden death as “an unexpected death occurring within minutes or hours, usually within 24 hours, in a person who looked healthy”.
The pharmacist lamented that most Nigerians were not aware of their health status, especially their blood pressure, sugar level, kidney functioning ability, among others.
She said that most sudden deaths were caused by unmanaged high blood pressure, high sugar level(diabetics) and renal diseases, usually due to the victim’s ignorance as he or she may not have been aware of the presence of the disease.
Okunola explained that high blood pressure could quietly damage the human body for years, “without manifesting any symptom”.
“High blood pressure can damage the cells of the arteries’ inner lining, which leads to the hardening of the artery wall.
“Such change can affect other arteries in the body and block the flow of blood to the heart, kidneys, brain, arms and legs, thus causing heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.
“High blood pressure can also cause angina – when the heart does not get as much blood and oxygen as it needs because of a blood blockage.
“If that happens, it causes pain in the chest and effectively signify a warning signal that the individual is at a high risk of a heart attack, cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death,” she explained.
According to her, with regular medical checks, high blood pressure, diabetics, heart diseases and kidney diseases can be detected early and managed effectively to avert complications.
She further explained that lack of exercise, obesity; smoking, high intake of salted food and food high in cholesterol were also causes of sudden death.
Okunlola suggested “at least two medical checks every year”, for early detection of ailments that could lead to sudden death, and cautioned Nigerians against assuming that they were always in perfect health. (NAN)
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC) said on Monday that the church would establish a university in Nasarawa State as part of its contribution to the development of education sector and the country at large.
Dr Jerry Madibo, the ERCC President nationwide, made this known during a press conference marking the centenary celebration (100 years) of the church at ERCC Secretariat, Akwanga, Akwanga local government area of the state.
He said that the establishment of the university is to provide quality education to the future generation and employment opportunities to the country’s unemployed youths so as to improve on their standard of living.
“This press conference is one of the several activities lined up to celebrate the centenary of our church. ERCC is one hundred years old in existence established in 1916 with the mission of evangelise those who were still in the grip of sin, people who were traditional idols and ancestral worshipers.
“It is certainly not in our character to begin to reel out what some people may consider as achievements, we only have what God has used ERCC to accomplish in the last 100 years.
“Apart from spiritual welfare of the people, the church has contributed a lot in the areas of education, health, agriculture, women and widow empowerment, among others.
“ERCC has over 45 primary schools, over 12 secondary schools, nine tertiary institutions and a vocational training institute for women and widows, clinics across the state, among others, and has also contributed a lot in the area of employment to teeming citizens.
“Plans are on top gear to establish ERCC university in Nasarawa State as the proposed university Committee that will work out the feasibility and modalities of the university will be inaugurated on Nov. 19, 2016, at our Secretariat in Akwanga,” he said.
He also revealed that during the centenary celebration, the church would honour 50 Nigerians, including members of the church who have contributed immensely to the development of the church, humanity and society at large.
Madibo restated the continued commitment of the church to preach peace and peaceful co-existence among the people of the diverse groups for the overall development of the country.
He also appealed to governments at all levels to listen to the outcry of Nigerians and change its economic policies to accommodate the masses so as to improve on their socio-economic wellbeing.
“We still wish to appeal to Nasarawa State Government where our church headquarters is domiciled to come to terms with the low morale of the civil servants in the state following downward review in their salaries,’’ Madibo said.
He commended Arthur Judd from South Africa for establishing the church in Nigeria, adding that he would be continued to be remembered by the church at all the time.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference was attended by religious leaders from across and outside the country to witness the centenary celebration.
ERCC has lined up 10 consecutive days for the centenary celebration. (NAN)
NAN-H-50
School
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) Mr Tope Yusuf, Sole Administrator, Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area, Lagos, on Monday said that members of the Neighborhood Watch had been drafted to provide security at public schools within the council.
Neighborhood Watch is said to be one of the oldest and effective crime prevention programmes in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter criminals and educate residents of a community on security and safety.
Yusuf told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the strategy was also part of the council’s monitoring policy to check indiscipline in schools.
He said that students should not be found roaming the streets during school hours, adding that any student found would be sanctioned.
“There is a new policy in the state now; it is called “Neighborhood Corps Agency’’.
“It consists of school leaving certificate holders and graduates who are employed by the state government to work as security guards within the communities.
“They will be paid about N25,000 and above according to their qualifications and will be given patrol vans, motorcycles to move around the state.
“But as at now, our policy in Coker-Aguda is that all Neighborhood Watch should be the security guards in public schools.
“When you go to public schools, you will see them in gray uniforms, they are there to ensure safety and normalcy in schools.
“Why we put them there is to ensure that students stay in schools; and if you move around during school hours, you will not find any students roaming the street.
“With this strategy, you cannot find students on the streets in Coker-Aguda because I have ensured that the coordinator of the group post members to different schools.
Yusuf said that the new strategy was the best way to keep the students in school.
“We think we can make the students to stay in schools with the support of external people because if we ask the schools to use their security men, it may not be effective.
“Some of the schools’ guards are retirees and do not have the zeal to do more.
“The old men can be easily induced with gift or cash items, but the Neighborhood Watch members are changed regularly, so the students will find it difficult to bribe them,’’ he said.
He added that the council would continue to do its best to sustain the monitoring of schools and ensure that students stayed in school for their lessons. (NAN)
OOG/ENN/PDE
============
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)
NAN-H-35
Re-opening
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) First Bank of Nigeria Plc, which closed its branch in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara since May, 2013, is set to re-start operations there.
Mr Festus Egbodofo, the Business Development Manager of the bank in Kwara, gave the assurance in a goodwill message to the 2016 Annual Omu-Aran Festival of Clubs.
The event held at the Government Secondary School Playground, Onu-Aran.
“Our bank will commence full banking transactions in Omu-Aran in few days’ time,” Egbodofo said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed robbers had, on May 14, 2013, attacked First bank and two other banks in the community, killing three persons.
Egbodofo said that all arrangements for commencement of full banking, including deployment of personnel and logistics, in the said branch, had been concluded.
The official, who expressed satisfaction at the commitment of Omu-Aran people, said that the bank was looking forward to having a fruitful business in the community and its environs.
He called on the bank’s customers in the community to re-activate their accounts with the bank, and urged intending customers to open accounts to justify re-opening of the branch.
In his remarks, Mr Sonibare Luqman, the branch’s Relationship Manager, solicited the support of all stakeholders to ensure hitch-free banking operations in the community.
The Traditional Ruler of the community and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, said that re-opening of the branch would go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the community members.
He called on indigenes and other residents of Omu-Aran to be united and peaceful to move the community forward.
Chief Peter Oyinloye, President Omu-Aran Development Association listed establishment of a fire service station and a National Open University of Nigeria study centre in the community as part of the association’s achievement.
He said that the forum was aimed at promoting interaction among the community members at home and in the Diaspora.
Chief Kola Oyedepo, the Chairman of the occasion, expressed happiness that the annual festival had continued to live up to expectations.
Chief Jide Adebayo, a former Executive Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described the event as a unifying factor toward socio-economic development of the community.
He said that the festival was a platform for promoting the culture of the community.
NAN reports that the event also witnessed cultural display, presentation of prizes and donations toward the development of the community. (NAN)
ISHO/IGO
========
(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)
NAN-S-9
Recruitment
By Adedeji Egbebi
Ado-Ekiti, Nov. 14, 2016, (NAN) The newly appointed Head Coach of Ekiti United FC, Olusegun Adelakun, on Monday assured the club’s supporters that unskilful footballers would not be recruited for the new season.
Adelakun who gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, said preferential treatment would not be given to any footballer.
He said that one of his objectives was to revive the club by moving it from the Amateur League to Nigeria National League (NNL).
According to him, all his coaching crew has been advised to work hard so as to meet his objectives for the club.
Adelakun said that the screening would hold between Nov. 21 and Nov. 24 at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.
He said the era of partiality where a footballer would be recommended without undergoing proper screening was over.
“I wish to say that once the screening kicks off, all interested footballers from Ekiti and outside the state are free to participate.
“Personally, I will not collect any letter of recommendation from any footballer, if such a person is good, let his skill speak for him.
“It is only through that l will know maybe he is fit to be in the team.
“Even if my son should participate in the screening and he did not perform well, I will not select him,’’ he told NAN, assuring the state’s indigenes and non-indigenes of equal opportunity.
“By the grace of God, the team will be promoted from the Amateur League to the Nigeria National League.
“But in order to achieve this objective, there is need for me to recruit talented and skilful players.
“I appreciate the supporters of the club and as well as urge them to be ready to give the team their maximum cooperation in the coming season,’’ he said. (NAN)
DJ/PDE
======
(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)
