Blog

NAN-H-57

Psychologists

By Modupe Seriboh

Ibadan, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has urged the Federal Government to work closely with psychologists to promote its change  agenda.

The minister gave the advice at a public lecture he delivered at the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan on Friday.

The lecture was titled: “ Psychology and the Change Agenda”.

According to him, psychologists have the skills needed to bring about the expected change more than any other group of professionals.

The minister, who said the topic of the lecture aptly reflected the political spirit of Nigeria, added that the desired change should cover all spheres of life.

“The change agenda of the present administration in Nigeria is, no doubt, laudable.

“However , there is need to consciously identify the needs for and areas of change.

“Psychologists can effectively work with other professionals – scientists and change agents – to bring about the positive change that we all seriously yearn for in Nigeria today,” he said.

The Secratary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Dr Rotimi Adelola, said the future of Nigeria was hinged on the ability of the Federal Government to implement its change agenda.

Adelola, who is an Alumnus of the department, stated that professional psychological inputs have contributed immensely to the success of the National Orientation Movement and other programmes of government.

“The purpose of the change agenda is to control the overt and covert behaviour of Nigerians.

“The individual is the unit of observation as well as unit of analysis in the change agenda,” he added.

Adelola, however, stated that the ultimate change Nigeria needs is true federalism.

He said true federalism had the capacity to accelerate development. MAM/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-HE -51
Prices
Abakaliki, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) Some Abakaliki residents, on Friday, decried the present economic hardship in the country, as they complained of the high prices of essential goods and services.

The respondents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to urgently address the galloping inflation.

The residents said the current inflationary trend in the economy was already having an adverse effect on the cost of essential goods and services.

“The impact of the economic recession is being felt across all the segments of the population, as most Nigerians could hardly afford a square meal.

The president should work out an enduring economic panacea to strengthen the nation’s economy and reduce the hardship afflicting the people.

The Federal Government should also take urgent action to address the situation with a view to ameliorating the suffering of the people,’’ the residents posited.

According to them, the high cost of fuel and kerosene, hike in electricity tariff and the ban on the importation of rice and other essential food items, contribute to the hardship.

Mr John Onwe, a trader at Abakpa Main Market in Abakaliki, said that the value of the naira had continued to plunge against other international currencies, due to high inflation while the prices of commodities were on steady rise.

“A bushel of local rice, which sold at between N3,500 and N4,000 in 2015, is presently selling at N10,000, depending on the quality.

“Due to the ban on the importation of foreign rice, other brands of the commodity available locally are still sell on the high side,’’ Onwe said.

He said that government had yet to put adequate palliative measures in place before the ban on the importation of foreign rice.

Another resident, Mr George Ogamdi, a civil servant, urged the Federal Government to provide palliatives in order  to cushion the present hardship.

“The times are indeed hard for Nigerians, especially the civil servants, whose monthly incomes are fixed. There should be a review of workers’ salaries to address the present economic reality,’’ Ogamd said.

A lecturer in the Department of Economics and Business Education, Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Prof. Edward Umoke, blamed the current situation on poor economic planning.

“We need to revisit our national economic master plan, understand the role of small and medium scale enterprises in growing national economy and take a critical look on power infrastructure.

“The economy will continue to dwindle and our currency get weaker as long as we remain a consumer rather than producing nation.

“Government should encourage the manufacturing sector and especially the small and medium manufacturing industrial outfits to stimulate economic growth.

“We cannot expect to have a strong currency when we do not have commodities we export to shore up our foreign reserve, except the oil,” Umoke said. .

He called for support and patience of the people to the present administration, as the nation would come out stronger from the recession. (NAN)

ODO/OIF/YEMI

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo

Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-S-19
‎
Qualifier‎

Egbebi Adedeji

Ado-Ekiti, Nov.11, 2016 (NAN) Some football enthusiasts in Ekiti State have urged the Super Eagles to defeat Algeria on Saturday so as to qualify for the 2017 World Cup.

Some of them who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Friday contended that the Technical Adviser should consider the match as a “must win’’.

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, said the Super Eagles should ensure that they defeat Algeria to win the three points at stake in view of their home advantage.

“ The national team should not be self-confident but instead, they should be determined to work together as team to triumph over the visiting team.

“ It is going to be an interesting game but I believe the Super Eagles will win the competition at Godwin Akpabio stadium in Uyo.’’

Former Super Eagle, Mr Kehinde Odebunmi, expressed optimism that the national team would emerge victorious, even though, the match will be a hard nut to crack.

He stressed the need to play the Algerians with all the seriousness the match deserved, saying they should play a tactical game and win the match convincingly.

The Deputy Chairman of Ekiti Referees Association‎, Mr Daramola Olusola, expressed optimism that “the Algerians will go down’’.

He noted that the Super Eagles were fortunate to have an experienced tactician to oversee their playing pattern.

He advised the national team to heed to the instructions of the technical adviser of the team because “this is the only way to defeat the Desert Warriors of Algeria’’.

The Head Coach of Ekiti United, Olusegun Adelakun, also advised the technical crew and the Super Eagles to show determination and seriousness in exchanging hostility with the Algerians.

He urged the technical adviser to plug the loopholes in the ‎team so as to avert any defensive error during the match.

NAN reports ‎that all the football stakeholders prayed to God to grant the team victory over their opponents.‎(NAN)

DJ/OSA/MO

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Morayo Omolade

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Oshiomhole appoints 4 new Permanent Secretaries
NAN-H-

Appointment

Benin, Nov 11, 2016 (NAN) On the eve of his departure as Edo state governor,  Adams Oshiomhole  has appointed four new Permanent-Secretaries.

Mr Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary of the governor, listed the appointees as Mr Anthony Okungbowa, Ministry of Justice, Mr Kadiri Bashiru, Secretary,Nigeria Labour Congress .

Others are Mr Y.A Imoudu, Chairman, Association of Secondary School Principals and Mrs Obosamwinye Obazee, Headmistress.

The  new permanent secretaries would be sworn in by the departing governor this afternoon. (NAN)

DCO/GOM/
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam

NAN-H-53
Violence
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Nov 11, 2016 (NAN) Brig.-Gen Paul Boroh, Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has warned beneficiaries of the programme to steer off violence in the forthcoming re-run elections in Rivers or be withdrawn from the programme.

Boroh gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, in Abuja.
He advised the youths and ex-agitators not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders in the spiralling violence in the state.

He said any beneficiary of the programme involved in violent action violates the oath taken to end violence which gave them admittance into the programme.

According to the coordinator, any beneficiary involved in violence will be exited from the programme; his monthly stipend will be stopped and will also be prosecuted.

Boroh said the Amnesty Office is saddened by the circle of electoral violence in the state which had become more pronounced as preparations for the re-run elections drew closer.

He said that such violence portends danger to the electoral and governance system in the country and gravely undermines the peace building efforts by the Federal Government in the region.

He appealed to the people of the state to embrace peace and abide by the rules of the electoral game to achieve stability in the state

Boroh urged the leaders of the ex-agitators to exercise control over the beneficiaries under their leadership.

He warned that in a situation where a leader is found to be complicit in violence, he would be sanctioned alongside the members of his camp. (NAN)
LIZ/LAB/AEA
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Edited by Lydia Beshel/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-56
Tax
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Traders Association in Kuje Area Council, FCT on Friday took to the streets to protest against the increase in taxation by the authorities.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the protest in Kuje reports that shops on major streets in the council were shut thus crippling economic activities.

Mr Uche Nwokedi, the acting chairman of the association, said members of the association were protesting against the hike in taxation from N3,000 to N36,000.

Nwokedi said the protest was also to express the association’s displeasure with the use of force and touts by the consultant engaged by the Area Council to collect the taxes.

He said some members of the association were on Thursday taken to court by the consultant for failure to pay what the traders called ‘outrageous tax’.

He said the use of the court to introduce higher taxes instead of dialogue was not in the best interest of the traders and the council.

“Most of us, including those taken to court paid our taxes since January and we have our receipts with us.

“The consultant has not engaged us before coming up with these outrageous taxes and we will resist it,” he said.

Alhaji Abdullahi Galadima, Chairman, Kuje Area Council, while addressing the protesters said the council was unaware that some members of the association were taken to court by the consultant.

He expressed dismay at the development adding that the consultant had not been officially engaged to collect taxes on behalf of the council.

“The consultant approached us when we advertised and we only had an oral agreement with him to go out and see how he could convince and dialogue with the people to pay their taxes.

“Our agreement with him is on temporary basis; he has not been fully engaged by the council because no document has been given to him.

“This administration is committed to the protection of the rights of all residents.

“So, issues like this, engagements and town hall meetings, are what is needed,” he said.

The council chairman, who ordered the withdrawal of the cases from the court, urged the traders to be calm and go about their normal businesses.

He added that the consultant had been warned against the use of force and touts to collect revenue. (NAN)

IMC/DE/DCU
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Donald Ugwu)

Benue commissioner not on wanted persons’ list – PPRO

NAN-DS-9
Commissioner
Makurdi, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) Benue State Police Command on Friday denied that it declared the state commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism, Mr Sekar Iyortyom, wanted over alleged culpable homicide.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, made the denial in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

Yamu was reacting to media reports that the Police had declared Iyortyom wanted in connection with the alleged assassination of Joseph Tondo, a chairmanship aspirant in Buruku local government area.

According to the Police Spokesman the reports are false as no commissioner in the state is in the command’s wanted persons’ list.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports some six persons, including the said commissioner, were being investigated for alleged assassination of Tondo two months ago.

NAN also recalls that the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bashir Makama, had told newsmen that Iyortyom had petitioned the police high command for “unsatisfactory investigation’’ of his case.

Makama further said that the matter was already under investigation and assured that justice would prevail.

NAN reports that the Iyortyom had been carrying out his duties as commissioner in the state. (NAN)
AEB/DCU
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Edited by Donald Ugwu

NAN-HE-15
Electricity
By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) said on Friday it lost N2.2 billion in revenue to unpaid bills and electricity wastage by consumers.

The Managing Director of 4Power, owners of PHED, Mr Matthew Edevbie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that 90 per cent of meters in homes were by-passed which was partly responsible for the revenue loss.

“In Port Harcourt for example, every 100 units of electricity that comes to our electricity network, we collect only 25 per cent equivalent of money.

“Even when we install meters in homes, about 90 per cent of the meters are usually by-passed.

“For every N1 billion worth of electricity PHED brings to this region, every month we get N450 million and lose N550 million.

“PHED’s supply of electricity to four states is in excess of N4 billion every month, meaning that we lose N2.2 billion worth of investment funds on monthly basis,” he said.

Edevbie said that customers on its R2 platform paid N24.91 per unit which was a shortfall to the average tariff of N28.90 per unit allotted to Port Harcourt.

He said the development meant that DisCos subsidised electricity by N4 which also affected revenue.

He said that PHED was not in advantage position compared to Lagos DisCo which had 55 per cent domestic and 45 per cent industrial users.

“This means that Lagos DisCo average-carriage amounts to lower subsidy.

“But in our four states of coverage, we have 85 per cent domestic users while 15 per cent are commercial users, meaning that we should go higher to compensate for the low tariff.

Edevbie said that some customers should be blamed for high electricity bills charged to their homes as such customers allowed neighbours to tap electricity from their meters and wires.

He urged the residents to report cases of electricity theft and vandalism of facilities to PHED outlets.

PHED covers Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers. (NAN)
DES/MVO
(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-HE-14
SON
By Muftau Ogunyemi
Akure, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has pledged zero tolerance for substandard products to ensure the wellbeing of the country.

Its Director General, Mr Osita Aboloma, said at one-day sensitisation workshop for electrical, electronics and allied products dealers in Akure on Friday that it would continually impound goods that were not certified.

Aboloma, who was represented by Mrs Mojisola Kehinde, the organisation’s Southwest Regional Coordinator, said it was painful that some unscrupulous business entities took advantage of the porous borders to import harmful products to the detriment of the economy

“We are here in Ondo State as part of our efforts to rid the Nigerian market of substandard products and improve Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

He said that the organisation was established to improve lives through standardisation and quality assurance by promoting consumer confidence and global competitiveness of Nigerian products and services.

Aboloma said the workshop was organised to sensitise the dealers on the dangers associated with selling sub-standard products such as electrical cables, household equipment and electric bulbs.

“It is very pertinent to sensitise this group on the acceptable standards in your sector and lay bare the dangers of engaging in substandard products,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Richard Adewumi, the Director of Electrical Electronics in the organisation, said that statistics showed that there was increase in fire outbreaks resulting from electrical and electronic products.

Adewumi said the situation prompted SON to organise workshops for the dealers to show them the dangers inherent in the sharp practices that characterised the sale of substandard equipment.

He advised them to play their roles in ensuring that Nigerians had access to quality products.

“What goes round comes around; when you engage in substandard and fake products, you end up buying the same too from the marketers.

“Therefore, let us desist from selling and buying them because your immediate family members may be the next victim,” Adewumi said.

The Coordinator of the organisation in the state, Mr Paul Oke, decried the adverse effects of substandard and fake products.

Oke said that 70 per cent of complaints received by the organisation were on electrical and electronics wares.

He urged the dealers to make use of the workshop and correct any wrong doings in moving the country forward.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Victor Egbo, the Chairman of the Electrical Dealers Association in Akure, charged the Federal Government not to allow substandard electrical wares into the country.

Egbo said that his association had already constituted a taskforce to apprehend any member found culpable in the sale of substandard goods.

NAN reports that the theme of the workshop was “Understanding the Dangers of Substandard Electrical Electronics Products – Panacea for Economic Development. (NAN)
OMA/AOS/MVO
(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Mbadiwe Okwor)

  NAN-AE-13
Agriculture
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) An environmentalist, Prof. David Okali, on Friday urged the federal and state governments to provide a conducive environment for private sector investment in agriculture.

Okali told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there were many aspects of agriculture in which the private sector could invest to make the country resilient in agriculture.

“The only thing needed for this to happen is a conducive investment environment.

“Once this is provided, individuals and private organisations can go into planting of seeds, processing of harvested produce, fishery, poultry and even husbandry, among others.

“Others could decide to turn agro-waste into useful products like generating electricity from rice husks,’’ Okali, also the Chairman of an NGO, Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), said.

The expert said that mountains of rice husks were wasting away in some states such as Ebonyi, adding that   these which could easily be used to generate electricity and provide power for the immediate community.

He said that agro-waste which could have been turned into wealth were also lying unutilised in many states.

The NEST chairman said that there were other bio-mass which the country could explore by providing a conducive environment for the private sector to operate.

According to him, the dwindling oil revenue calls for urgent diversification into agriculture for a sustainable economy.

Okali said that all parts of Nigeria were blessed with rich and fertile land.

He urged that the governments should leave no stone unturned to ensure that success of innovations in agriculture.

Okali noted that Nigeria had enough experts and other human resources in all aspects of agriculture to ensure sustained agricultural development.

“With a properly guided and sustained agriculture, Nigeria can feed its population and have surplus to export to earn foreign exchange,’’ he said.
(NAN)
ACA/COF/IGO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/ Ijeoma Popoola)