Blog

NAN-AE-5

Scheme

By Rabe Sani

Hadejia (Jigawa), Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government said on Friday that agricultural growth would have been nearly impossible if the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was not introduced.

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, said this at the distribution of farm inputs to wheat and rice farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa.

Cue in audio (Ogbe)

“Without the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme it would have been nearly impossible to support the growth of agriculture as we are seeing now.

“I want to thank Nigerians especially the farmers; let me tell you, you are the greatest heroes of Nigeria because by doing what you are doing, you are beginning to give Nigeria a real independence.

“A country is not a country if it cannot feed itself.”
Cue out audio (Ogbe)

The Anchor Borrower’s Programme is a critical component of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

It is designed to enhance farmers’ access to inputs, financing, and mechanisation, as well as encourage processing and entrepreneurial skills.

The programme is a partnership between CBN, the federal, and state governments.

Ogbe stated that the programme focuses on providing support to rural farmers to accelerate rice and wheat production as well as encourage the development of agriculture in general.

He explained that the programme was initiated by the government to make agriculture the mainstay of the economy.
According to the minister, the programme will support rural farmers and build their capacity as well as increase crop production to attain food sufficiency.

He further said that the programme was introduced to reduce dependence on foreign goods and encourage sustainable social and economic development.

“Economic development, progress in Nigeria will never happen unless we begin it in the rural areas, in the villages, the local governments and the states.

“That change is happening now; those who cannot see it yet have to open their eyes.

“In a few years, we shall be the major exporter of rice and we should no longer need to import expired rice from another country.”

Ogbe reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing poverty, job creation, and wealth creation through effective use of agricultural resources.

The minister acknowledged the progress Nigerian farmers have achieved under the programme so far and commended Nigerians for supporting government’s policies and programmes.

“The change Buhari promised has started; that change is here; that is the change that is endearing.

“That is the change that will make villagers richer than people living in cities because very soon, from what I saw, some of the farmers would be sending monies to their brothers in Abuja and Lagos.

“I can assure you that the man in the village is now the king; that time is on its way; that time is almost here.
“I thank you, Nigerian farmers, I thank you all Nigerians for your response to the call to return to the farms.”

The state governor, Badaru Abubakar, said the state government planned to establish a fertiliser blending plant in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.
Abubakar stated that 36, 250 farmer groups in the state have so far been registered under the anchor borrowers’ programme.
He said the state government spent 439 million naira on the programme and distributed fertiliser, seeds, chemicals and equipment to the farmers to enable increase them to increase production. (NAN)

RSA/OSA/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-H-18
Visa
By Boboye Moronke Tinuola
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly obtaining N1million under the pretext of procuring a Qatar Visa for another man, Ademola Gbadebo, 43, was on Friday arraigned at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, a businessman, who lives at 16, Ashobe St., Dopemu, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for obtaining by false pretext and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, said that the offences were committed at Egbeda, Lagos, on Jan. 12, 2013
Perezi said that the accused collected N1million from one Mr Kunle Fasuyi under the pretext of procuring a Qatar Visa for him.
“Since then he was nowhere to be found; all efforts of the complainant to see him failed until he was sighted and apprehended,” he said.
The offences contravened Sections 278 and 312(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Layinka, granted the accused a bail of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case to Dec. 5 for mention. (NAN)
MTO/ORO/TA
Edited by Razak Owolabi/Tajudeen Atitebi

Trader docked for allegedly receiving stolen property

NAN-H-31

Property

Abuja, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Police on Friday arraigned one Mohammed Antar in a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly being in possession of a stolen property.

Antar, a trader in Suleja, Niger, is facing a one-count charge of receiving a stolen property.

The prosecutor, Gambo Musa, told the court that one Dominic Felix, of Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at Wuse Police Station on Nov. 3.

He said that on the same date, some unknown men entered into the complainant’s shop at Micro Trend, Wuse 2, Abuja.

He said that the men forcefully collected N330,000, an i-phone and also collected  employees’ phones.
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The prosecutor added that the phones collected were valued at N180,000, and during investigation, the i-phone was tracked and recovered from the defendant.

He said that the defendant claimed that he bought the phone from one Chukwuemeka Ikenna in Suleja, who is now at large.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 316 of the Penal Code.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor prayed the court to grant him a date to reopen the case.

Magistrate Munirat Tanko granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

She ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter till Dec. 8, for hearing. (NAN)

UMD /OU/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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NAN-H-17

Arraignment

Abuja, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Police on Friday arraigned one Mohammed Antar in Abuja for allegedly being in possession of a stolen telephone handset.

Antar, a trader of Suleja, Niger state, is facing a charge of receiving a stolen property at a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja.

The prosecutor, Gambo Musa, told the court that one Dominic Felix, of Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at Wuse Police Station on Nov. 3.

“On the same date, some unknown men entered into the complainant’s shop at Micro Trend, Wuse 2, Abuja.

“The men forcefully collected the sum of N330, 000 from the sales made that day; they also collected an I-phone and other phones belonging to the workers in the store,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said that during investigation, the I-phone was tracked to the accused and it was recovered from him.

He said that the defendant claimed that he bought the phone from one Chukwuemeka Ikenna in Suleja, who is now at large.

The offence contravened the provisions of Section 316 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate, Munirat Tanko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and a reasonable surety in like sum.

Tanko ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter until Dec. 8. (NAN)

UMD /DEB/BOD
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/dele bodunde

NAN-H-32
Robbery
By Boboye Tinuola
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Police on Friday arraigned 25-year-old bricklayer, Clinton Otobo, at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, for an allegedly robbing his victim of N339,000.

The accused, who lives in an uncompleted building at Lekki Garden Site, Phase 5, a suburb of Lagos is being tried for conspiracy and robbery.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the offences were committed on July 12 at Road 15, Alabeku Ogombo, Ajah, a suburb of Lagos.

Perezi said the accused and others at large, went to the complainant Mr Oshiro Ernest apartment at midnight and robbed him of his belongings.

“Some the items stolen included mobile phones, two Ipad phones and N150,000 cash, all valued at N339,000,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 294 and 295(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. A Layinka, granted the accused bail in the sum N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Dec. 13 for mention. (NAN)

MTO/KOO/AEA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-S-16

Coaches

Katsina, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Friday formally introduced the coaches for Katsina United Football club which has been promoted to the Nigerian Premier League.

At the ceremony, Mr Bala Nikyu was named the Chief Coach while Mr Baldwin Bazuaye is to serve as the Assistant Chief Coach.

Masari said that the coaches were selected on merit, adding that their experience should be put to play for the success of the club in the premier league.

He gave the assurance that the state government would support the club in order to elevate it to levels of the top teams in the league.

‘’The government is going to support Katsina United FC financially and other wise to ensure its success. I also want to call on individual philanthropists to provide financial support to the club,’’ he said.

Gov. Masari commended the management of the team for making it possible for the team to reach the highest level of football game in the country.

In his remarks, Nikyu pledged to make the team victorious in all its competitions. (NAN)
ZI/HAS/IS
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-14
Train
By Mercy Osajiugo
‎
Minna, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The North Western-District of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has advised intending travellers to take advantage of the rail transport as the yuletide approaches.
The district manager, ‎Alhaji Zakari Audu, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in  Minna on Friday.
Audu said that the “ember months” were a critical period when Nigerian roads used to be under enormous pressures from motorists and heavy trucks moving goods from one location to the other.
He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the rail system saying that ‎the Minna to Kaduna as well as the Kaduna to Minna train services are available for patronage three times weekly.
Audu said that the NRC’s train usually moves on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays on both ways.
‎He added that the Mokwa/ Jebba Road and the Bida Road are in a deplorable condition‎ and travellers should avoid stressing themselves by plying them.
“We also operate a train service that leaves Lagos on Friday afternoon, pass through Minna to Kano.
“ It leaves‎ Kano on Mondays and pass through Minna to Lagos.
“ I encourage all to patronise our services saying their fares are affordable.
“They are safe, reliable and are the cheapest mode of transportation one can think of in this recession,’’ he said. (NAN)

MNO/PAD
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Edited and controlled by Peter Dada

NANFeatures/Vol.10/No.255/2016 (Nov. 11)

Validity period of UTME’s results: The controversy and intrigues

A News Analysis by Shittu Obassa, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The recent announcement of the  Senate that it would amend the Act establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gladdens a segment of the public.

While some Nigerians express skepticism that the development may make it somewhat difficult to secure tertiary institution’s admission, optimists view it as a welcome development.

But, as the announcement continues to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians, the news is making round that the Senate has suspended the proposal to amend the Act to allow for adequate consultation with experts.

Recommendations submitted by Jibrin Barau’s Committee on Higher Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in favour of the elongation of validity of UTME results and reduction in the JAMB’s registration fee from about N6, 700 to N2, 500 had earlier informed the decision of the Senate to amend the Act.

Irrespective of the contents of the recommendation, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the spokesperson of JAMB, quoted Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education as saying that the proposal had been suspended.

Benjamin said Wammako, represented by Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, made the announcement at an oversight visit to JAMB headquarters in Bwari.

He also quoted Wammako as saying that the suspension was to avoid impeding on the progress so far made by JAMB in the conduct of examinations.

“Your JAMB result is only valid for one year and we thought it would be better for it to be valid for at least three years.

“That would reduce the burden on the parents, students and even the institution that is conducting the test. I think it is good for all of us and would not be rejected by the public.

“We don’t make laws for an individual or for the Senate. But we make laws for the country in the interest of all of us.

“A bill must not necessarily be at the convenience of a particular organisation. Since we don’t want to make a law that would impede the progress of any institution, we are bound to listen to what the stakeholders are saying.

“JAMB has made so much progress over the years and should continue to improve on its performance because the lives of millions of Nigerians depend on it,’’ the statement quoted Wammako as saying.

According to the statement, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, expresses happiness that the Senate has listened to the plea of the board.

The statement quoted him as also imploring members of the House of Representatives and the Executive to tow the line of the Senate by suspending the proposal.

In his reaction to the development, Dr Dapo Odukoya, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, however, disagreed with the suspension.

He said with the a three-year validity period for UTME results, students would not have to go through the rigour of writing the examination for the next two years if they could not gain admission in the first year.

“I think that will favour students that pass well, reduce JAMB’s perceived yearly extortion and parents will be saved some extra cash,’’ he said.

Similarly, Mr Joseph Dameh, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Bayero University Kano, said the earlier decision of the Senate to amend the Act establishing JAMB was a step in the right direction.

He said the amendment would not jeopardise the chances of any candidate because it had not stopped anyone from re-writing the examination any time.

“I do not foresee any negative consequence except where the amendment prohibits a candidate from taking the examination prior to the expiration of the duration of an existing result,’’ he said.

Corroborating Dameh’s viewpoint, a parent, Hajiya Asma’u Adamu, insisted that three-year validity period for UTME results would be “the right thing in the right direction.’’

Adamu appealed to management of JAMB to allow the suspended amendment in good faith because it would for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.

But Mr Dotun Opaleye, the Chairman, Ogun chapter of National Association of Nigerian Students, lauded the Senate for suspending the proposal.

“When you have the same people with the same results whose results are not competitive enough to secure admission and now allow them to present same result after three years, it sounds awkward.

“When students write again within those years, they will likely study harder to score a higher points to secure admission and that will promote academic excellence; the amendment will also leave admission seekers confused.

“Even though the policy will reduce the number of candidates taking UTME each year, it will increase the number of candidates seeking admission each year since their results will be valid for three years.

“This will not also help the tertiary institutions as some of them lack the capacity to accommodate the increasing number of admission seekers,’’ he said.

However, a civil servant, Alhaji Musa Adamu, said that the Senate should set up a committee to consult with stakeholders including  JAMB, National Universities Commission and authorities of universities and tertiary institutions on the issue.

By and large, concerned citizens note that as the number of UTME candidates is increasing every year, a pragmatic approach must be taken to ensure safe and quality tertiary education.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

NAN-S-9
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) Sanni Ahmed the Head Coach, Kano Pillars Basketball Club on Friday said that preparations are underway toward the forthcoming FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup which dunks off in December.

Pillars came first in the nation’s elite DStv Basketball men’s League, defeating Customs of Lagos for the 2016 edition.

Pillars and Customs won the tickets to play in the final round of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup after finishing first and second in the FIBA-Africa Zone-3 qualifying round recently concluded in Togo.

Ahmed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the team was working hard ahead of the competition.

He expressed optimism that the club would make Kano State and Nigeria proud.

“We are going to the competition with the aim of being counted among the top contenders for the trophy.

“Our experience so far in the tournament is enough for us to understand the level of standard that is expected for us if we are to achieve at the end.

“Our goal is to perform better than before.

“The players are aware of this enormous task, so they have a responsibility to carry out the technical bench instruction in order to achieve success,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Head Coach of Customs, Scot Nnaji also said his team was preparing hard for the team’s first continental outing.

He told NAN that the team’s training was going well and that the team was equally confident of doing well in the competition.

“We are working hard daily and we are aware of the task and getting ourselves ready for the big experience which is vital for the team’s mentality,’’ Nnaji said.

NAN reports that no team in the country has won the elite continental basketball competition since it began in 1972.

Kano Pillars, Lagos Islanders and Dodan Warriors of Lagos were the teams with the best results so far, with the three teams finishing third at different times.

Dodan Warriors attained the feat in 1985 and 2006, Kano Pillars in 1987, and Islanders in 2000.

The competition, keenly contested by the best teams in the continent, has been dominated by teams from Angola with De Agosto winning the competition eight times.

Petro Atletico also of Angola is the  current defending champions, and has won the championship twice.(NAN)
BAO/ENN/MZA
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maharazu Ahmed)

NAN-AE-‎29

Waste

By Mercy Osajiugo
Minna, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN)‎ The Association of Fruit Sellers in the old Gwadebe Garage Market, Minna, has called on the Niger Environmental and Protection Agency, to evacuate a massive waste in the market.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji Aminu Liman, made this call on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, the stench oozing out of the solid waste is repulsive to customers and other people passing through the fruit market.

“This waste has been here since the beginning of the rains; the excuse for delaying evacuation was the fear of getting the truck sunk in the mud of the debris.

“NISEPA said that the evacuation had been contracted to a consultant‎ and that we should exercise some patience,” he said.

According to Liman, the traders are running out of patience, as it has to do with their health and that of the public.

“We paid for the evacuation‎, they are not doing it for free. If the consultant is not capable, he should engage another contractor,” he said. 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the garbage which is mounting everyday has become an eyesore in the area. (NAN)

MNO/MOL/YEMI

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi
Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju