Blog

NAN-H-12
Arrest
Dutse, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa says it has arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly stealing a bull, valued at N180,000.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr Muhammad Durumin-Iya, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Dutse.
He said that the suspect was arrested on Thursday in Maikwaki village, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
Durumin-Iya said that the suspect (name withheld) hailed from Yabaza village in Kiyawa Local Government Area.
He said that the stolen bull belonged to one Malam Muhammad Sani of Zarenawa village in Birninkudu town.
Durumin-Iya said that the suspect was taken to Federal Medical Centre in Birninkudu for the head injuries he sustained from the beating he received from local people.
The commandant added the suspect, who was in possession of a machete during his arrest, would be charged to court as soon as he recovered.
Sani, the bull owner, told NAN that the suspect arrived his home at about 12 midnight and released four of his cattle from their tethers.
Tether is a rope or chain by which an animal is fastened so that it can range only within a set radius.
“I was already asleep when I heard some noise around midnight, so I decided to peep and see what was happening.
“Surprisingly, when I pointed my torch toward where my cattle are tethered, I discovered that four of them are missing, so I shouted for help.
“So, my neighbours and other villagers woke up and began to look for the animals where we found three in the bush.
“So, one of us sighted the thief trying to do away with a bull, we trailed him and we were able to catch him in Maikwai village.
‘’We immediately called officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in our area and they got him arrested,” he said. (NAN)
MNB/DUA/WOJ
(Edited by Dada Ahmed / Wale Ojetimi)
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NAN-S-6

Testimonial

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) Organisers of Victor Ezeji’s testimonial have announced Dec. 17 as new date for the match.

Ezeji, former Enyimba of Aba and Sharks of Port Harcourt player, announced his retirement from football at the end of 2014/2015 season.

China Acheru,  Chairman, Main Organizing Committee of the event, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday.

He said the change of date was occasioned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduling of legislative re-run election in the state to Dec. 10.

“We are forced to alter our plans following INEC’s announcement of December 10 for the re-run legislative elections which coincided with the testimonial.

“We have decided to reschedule the Victor Ezeji’s Testimonial to hold on Dec. 17.

“The change in date will not affect the spirit and mood of the event as we will ensure a spectacular showing on the new date,” he assured.

Acheru said the football event would be colourful. (NAN)

DES/MEMO

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Edited by Mike Mbonye

Man, 62, seeks dissolution of 32-year-old marriage over religious differences

NAN-H-8
Religion
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) A 62-year-old man, Adesanya Akanni is seeking the dissolution of his 32-year-old marriage to Florence Akani, over religious differences.

Adesanya Akanni approached a Lagos Island Customary Court, Lagos on Thursday complaining that wife’s continued practice of her Christian faith was adversely affecting the family.

The petitioner claimed that his marital problems started about 26-years ago, when his wife, Florence resumed the practice of her Christian faith.

He also alleged that she changed the names of their five children to Christian names without his consent.

“Our five children were given Muslim names at birth, Kaosara, 32, Kudirat, 25, Mubarak, 22, Azeez, 19 and Musa, 17.

“Their mother and the Church she attends, have now changed their names to Oluwatomi, Victoria, Oluwasegun, Oluwarotimi and Peter respectively.

“I did not know until I went to the school of my last two boys to ask for Azeez and Musa but officials of the school claimed they did not have students bearing those names.

“It was when I mentioned their surname that I was told that they now bear Oluwarotimi and Peter,’’ Akanni claimed.

The petitioner also said he was not informed when his first daughter got married and gave birth to her first and second children.

“The Church and my wife gave out my daughter, without informing me; she gave birth to her two children. My wife and daughter did not tell me anything.

“We live under the same roof and over the past two years. My wife has stopped cooking my meals. She does not allow me to make love to her,’’ Akanni said.

Akanni, however, prayed the court to dissolve their marriage and award custody of the last two children to his wife, Florence, 61, who denied all the allegations.

She explained that Akanni did not insist that she should convert to Islam after their marriage, stressing that at the time of their marriage, “my husband was not a practising Muslim.

“I started attending Church when I had an 8-year delay after our first child; he used to accompany me to Church but later stopped and then prevailed on me to discontinue attending Church.

“This our fight over religion has been ongoing for years, but I have refused to stop going to church because God has been answering my prayers.

“After eight years of believing God for the fruit of the womb, God gave me, not just one but three other children. I have been taking them to Church ever since.

“When our first daughter wanted to get married, I informed my husband but he said our daughter should go and `meet her father in the church’.’’

He had vowed he would be part of the wedlock, unless our daughter  re-converted to Islam’’.

The mother of five, told the court that she still loved her husband but, “I cannot convert to Islam.’’

The president of the court, Mr Awos Awosola, adjourned the case to Nov. 30 to enable other members from both families to mediate on the matter. (NAN)
TME/DEB/TON
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Tony Nezianya

Kebbi Govt. to exploit solid minerals to boost revenue, says Commissioner

NAN-HE-12
Minerals
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi Government says it will soon begin the exploitation of mineral deposits in order to boost the state’s revenue.

Alhaji Zailani Yauri, the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

He listed the minerals available as Kaolin, Gypsum, Gold, Diamond and iron, adding that the era of dependence on oil is over.

The commissioner also said that the government would collaborate with National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to harness the state’s potential in agriculture and mineral resources.

Yauri added that the state government would initiate and implement proactive strategies in productive ventures, like commerce and industrialisation through the use of statistical findings.

He described statistical data as fundamental input in planning, policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation of performance.

The commissioner commended the NBS for conducting the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, adding that the survey will be utilised for  education and health data analysis as well as child’s  protection and women development.(NAN)
BKD/OSA/OU

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Edited by Shitti Obassa/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-S-7
Arrival
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Algerian national team on Thursday evening arrived in Uyo aboard a chartered flight ahead of their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said that a delegation of 61 persons, including the players landed in Uyo.

According to the statement, the Desert Foxes will hold a training session on the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium pitch on Friday evening.

The statement said the delegation was received at the Ibom International Airport by NFF’s Deputy General Secretary and Protocol Officer, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Emmanuel Ayanbunmi respectively.

It also stated that the match officials, led by Hassan Osama Atta Ibrahim El Manan (match commissioner from Sudan) passed the night in Lagos on Thursday, and is expected to be in Uyo on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the referee for the match, Bakary Papa Gassama is from Gambia, while Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi is the first assistant referee and Marwa Range from Kenya is the second assistant referee.

The fourth referee, Maudo Jallow is also from Gambia.

 Meanwhile, Jean-Olivier Mbera from Gabon will serve as referee assessor and Nicholas Chumba Musonye from Kenya will be security officer.

 The match between the Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes of Algeria holds at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday at 5 p.m. (NAN)
VO/YEE?PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim/Peter Ejiofor)

Cleric urges Muslim faithful to live in peace with neighbours

NAN-H-24

Islam

Ikole (Ekiti State), Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) An Islamic cleric, Malam Nurudeen Adeyeni of Ikole Central Mosque, Ekiti State, has admonished Muslim faithful to live in peace with neighbours, saying Islam is a religion of peace.

Adeyeni gave the charge during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikole on Friday.

The scholar emphasised that Islamic teachings were against terrorism and that violence has no place in Islam.

He frowned at some people’s belief that terrorists were adherents of only Islamic religion, saying terrorists should be termed as common enemies of humanity.

“Terrorists have no place in Islam, they are abusing the Muslim faith worldwide and their activities are tarnishing the true image of Islam.

“Those that show hatred and intolerance towards Muslims because of the heinous coward crime of killings, kidnapping by Boko Haram in some parts of the country are doing injustice to the Muslims who are themselves victims of terrorism,’’ he said.

The cleric therefore enjoined the Muslim faithful to be vigilant and expose criminal-minded individuals who might hide under any guise in Mosques or their environment.

He said the war against terrorism should be a collective assignment among all Nigerians, saying terrorism has no respect for any religion.

The cleric advised world leaders to come together and fight terrorism which he said has become a major security challenge to nations across the world. (NAN)

DAK/MOL/MST

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Boko Haram: Centre trains 200 Islamic clerics on Counter-Radicalisation

NAN-DS-4

Training

Yola, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) is to train 200 Islamic Clerics in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe on how to counter radicalisation messages by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Speaking to newsmen Friday at the training organised for some of the clerics in Adamawa, the Project Coordinator, Mr Ikponmwosa Omoigiade, said that the project being executed by CDD was sponsored by the Japanese Government through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Omoigiade said that the training which was part of a bigger project on de-radicalisation, counter-terrorism and migration in Northern Nigeria had already been conducted for some of the clerics in Borno and Yobe.

He said the clerics  who  comprised Imams, scholars and proprietors of Almajiri schools, were trained on how to identify and contain Boko Haram ideologies and violent extremism in their communities with the aid of a manual by clerics from Islamic Da’awah Centre and Arabic teachers from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The coordinator lauded the commitment shown by the clerics, adding that the centre would do an assessment on impact of the project in the affected states.

Some of the participants who spoke on the programme described it as a welcome development that would assist in countering extremism and propagation of the peaceful nature of Islam.

They said Prophet Muhammad (SAW) cherished peaceful coexistence among and between muslims and non-muslims and viewed non-Muslims as people who should be attracted to Islam instead of being terrorised. (NAN)
YMU/AIB/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-S-5
Weather
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said that the weather at the Falconets team’s camp in Port Moresby would not pose any challenges to them.

The Nigerian women team will test its might in their Group alongside Spain, Canada and Japan in the U-20 Women World Cup from Nov. 13.

A statement by the NFF’s spokesperson Ademola Olajire, which gave the assurance, said the the weather in Port Moresby, the largest city on the shores of the tiny country of Papua Guinea could be likened to what they experience at home.

It said that prior to their arrival; the players had nursed reservations about the weather, a fear occasioned by the days it took to get to the host country.

“Among themselves, the girls have continued to talk about the weather that they have unanimously agreed is equivalent to the one back home in Nigeria.

“One of the players, Ogechi Ukwuoma, on Thursday morning exclaimed that she now appreciated better Coach Peter Dedevbo’s training schedule while in camp in Abuja.

“I now understand why the coach always insisted that we train earlier in the afternoon in Nigeria. The weather here is comparable to the one we had in Abuja,’’ the statement quoted Ukwuoma as saying.

It said a member of the Local Organising Committee, Brian said that Papua New Guinea experiences only rainy and dry seasons every year.

“Presently, the weather situation is hot and the team Doctor, Jane Orizu, has advised the players to always drink enough water to avoid dehydration,” the statement said.

It added that construction workers in Papua New Guinea were working round the clock to ensure that Nigeria’s World Cup venue, Bava Park is in top shape to welcome football hostilities on Nov. 13.

Nigeria and Japan will play their Group B opening match at the Bava Park Stadium located in the Bisini Sports Precinct, Port Moresby by 7 p.m. local time.

“As at Wednesday evening, a group of construction workers were seen at the 5,000 capacity mini-stadium working at frantic pace to ensure that the venue is perfectly in order to welcome the teams on Sunday.

“Some of the workers on the site who sneaked out to watch the Falconets train at the Stadium’s training pitch disclosed that major works have been completed.

“They assured that the construction crew seen on site was only putting finishing touches to the Stadium,’’ the statement added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Falconets are presently camped in coastal city of Port Moresby in preparation to their Group B campaign in the U-20 Women World Cup. (NAN)
KOJE/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-23
Training
Dutse, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Universal Basic Education Board  has concluded training for 90 primary school teachers on new techniques of teaching in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the board, Alhaji Salisu Zakar,  made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of the workshop in Dutse on Friday.

Zakar, who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Alhaji Shehu Sakwaya, said that participants were expected to train 663 other teachers in 13 local government areas.

He said that teachers from 14 local governments had benefitted from similar training under the Teachers Development Programme.

According to him, the board will ensure that there is adequate supervision by its officials in the training in the 13 local government areas.

He said that the workshop was part of UBEC/JSUBEB intervention programme.

The chairman reiterated the board’s commitments toward improving teaching and learning in primary schools in the state. (NAN)
MS/MST/JCE

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola/Chukwudi Ekezie

Harmattan: Kano youths embrace sugarcane business

NAN-H-21

Sugarcane
By Bosede Olufunmi

Kano, Nov. 11, 2016 (NAN) As the harmattan season approaches, youths have taken to sugarcane business in Kano State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey conducted in some places in Kano metropolis revealed that many youths have erected temporary shades for conducting the business.

According to the survey, the commodity had flooded the ancient city thereby making the youths contented in the face of the prevailing economic situation.

One of the youths at Ring Road Yan’Kaba, Malam Bashir Ado, said he sold more than six bunches of the commodity daily at the cost of N900 each.

Ado said he sold one stem of sugarcane between N120 and N150, depending on the choice of the customer.

Another seller, Mr Sani Musa, said he purchased the commodity in large quantity giving the interest expressed by many people to patronise it.

He further revealed that at the end of the day, he got not less than N5,000 due to the current situation.

NAN also reports that the price of the commodity had increased from N70 to N100 this year than last year due to hike in the pump price of petrol. (NAN)

BO/FF/MST

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola