Blog

NAN-AE- 17

Space

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), says it will  continue to work with the Astronomical Society of Nigeria (ASN) to produce accurate space information for national development.

The Director-General, Dr Anthony Anuforom, said this at the 6th National Conference and Award of Fellows by ASN on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference theme was ‘’Astronomy and Space Science and Technology in a Developing Economy’’.

Anuforom, who was conferred with the award of Fellowship by the society, established that there was relationship between climate system and what happened in the outer space.

He said he believed that NiMet could collaborate with ASN considering the developments in space unknown to man.

“The challenge we scientists have, especially in our area is that anything we do not see, we are not aware that it exists and this thing is affecting us.

“These things are measurable; there are radiations all over us as we are talking but we do not see them with our ordinary eyes but they do exist and affect us.

“You will not believe that there are some phenomena happening at the outer space that do affect even your telecommunication system and power grid system.

“Some of these things happen and people do not know where they are coming from.

“So, these are areas that we need to do research and get adequate data and information.

“It will help us to better manage our infrastructure, telecommunications and power, among others.’’

Anuforom said that as part of its global climate observing system, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) was integrating the space weather to look at all the phenomena that affect climate.

He said that unknown to many people, a lot of physical phenomenon that happened within the earth’s atmosphere were influenced by what happened in space.

NiMet boss expressed appreciation to the society for the recognition, saying he felt humbled and that it is a call to do more.

He also commended the staff of NiMet for their commitment which, he said, made it possible for the agency to achieve the successes it had recorded.

“The commitment of the staff of the agency also made it possible for us to achieve results because everybody is committed to doing their jobs at NiMet,’’ Anuforom added.

The President of ASN, Prof. Chidi Akujor, said that the basic knowledge of astronomy and space science was important, especially the applications in economics, science, weather and agriculture.

According to him, the society is facing the challenges of the lack of the relevant instruments unlike in smaller countries such as Ghana and Rwanda.

“We have been trying to set up an observatory now in Nsukka, in Enugu State and Kujama in Kaduna State for sometime now using old Nitel dishes.

“We have not succeeded much on that because of lack of support from government and lack of funding,’’ he said. (NAN)

OYS/ACO/NKO

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Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Nkechi Okoronkwo

NAN-H-130

Budget

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The budget performance of the aviation sector currently stands at 65 per cent with the release of N8.45 billion of the N19.85 billion allocated to the ministry.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said this on Thursday in Abuja when the Senate Committee on Aviation visited the ministry on oversight function.

Sirika  said that the amount released represented only 43 per cent of the total budgeted sum.

He said of the  amount received, the ministry had spent  N4.29billion, leaving a balance of N4.16 billion in its coffers.

The minister also said that the balance on appropriation for the period was N11.40 billion, representing 57 per cent of the total appropriation.

He further disclosed that the amount appropriated for personnel cost was N1.37 billion while N1.14 billion had been released.

Furthermore, he said that N314.6 million had been released for overhead as against N437.2 million appropriated.

On the capital budget, he said that N18.05 billion was appropriated with N7 billion released, leaving a balance of N11.05 billion.

“The capital budget implementation was focused on the completion of ongoing projects in the major international airports with key steps taken on the establishment of a national carrier.

“You will agree with me from the above budget performance that one of our major constraints had been that of funding, which is largely due to the dwindling resources of the government.’’

Sirika efforts were ongoing to adopt Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach in the funding of the projects due to lean government resources.

On the other hand, he said that the aviation sector had witnessed continuous growth globally in terms of passengers and cargo aircraft movement, adding that the value chain of the sector was enormous.

The minister explained that the government was currently developing some specific policies that would ensure the development of the sector in line with global trend.

He identified some key policy initiatives to be in the areas of safety and security; infrastructure and airport concession; establishment of private sector-driven national carrier and maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

Others are the establishment of Agro-Allied cargo infrastructure; restructuring of aviation agencies to address the challenge of over bloated staff and establishment of aircraft leasing company through PPP procurement method.

Responding, Sen. Adamu Aleiro, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, expressed satisfaction with the level of performance of the ministry’s budget so far.

Aleiro said that the Senate would support the establishment of a private sector-driven national carrier.

He said that the role of the government was to provide the enabling environment.

Aliero stressed that Nigeria could become an aviation hub in Africa, if proper policies were put in place and implemented, adding that the initiative was key to achieving the standard.

“We are impressed with the performance of the 2016 budget especially on overhead and personnel,” he said.

He urged the ministry to always commence its procurement process as soon as the budget was passed. (NAN) OYS/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-129
Traders
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) Hundred of traders from Nyanya Old Market in Abuja on Thursday stormed the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over demolishing notice on their shops.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent reports that the traders hcarried placards with inscriptions like “Allow Nyaya Market To Be”, “Nyanya Market Is Where We Earn Our Living”
and many others.

Some of the traders told NAN that they were at their shops when the FCDA staff and Police arrived at the market and commenced marking shops for demolishing.

Mr Donald Charles, a cosmetics dealer said “it is sad as there is a pending court order on the issue asking the parties to maintain status quo. We will go to court on Nov. 21.

“The issue is to settle out of court which the judge at the High Court granted. So, we are all shocked to see the FCDA staff.”

Mrs Agnes Idowu, a trader said their lives and that of their family members depended solely on the businesses in the market.

However, the AMAC Vice Chairman, Mr Lawrence Onuchukwu, who addressed the traders, said officers who visited the market were asked to identify shops which were being used as homes.

He said “what happened at Nyanya was due to misinformation, as officers were not asked to mark the entire Nyanya market.

“Some of you will remember vividly when we came to the market, the chairman of the market and executive made a request to us.

“They asked us to remove people who converted the shops to their homes because such people have been giving them problems.

“You people voted us in so we will not kill you; our duty is to make sure we provide conducive atmosphere where you can do your businesses peacefully.”

According to Onuchukwu, if the people continue to use shops as homes, there is the danger of fire outbreak.

“So, we have set up a committee that will liaise with the executive but what we say as government is that those using shops as homes must vacate the market so we can do our job.

“Such people should please leave because we are coming to remove those shanties so that people can do their businesses well.”

Earlier, Mr Ahmed Shehu, the Treasurer of the market association, said the traders were surprised when they saw FCDA staff marking their shops for demolishing.

He said “the officers gave us 24 hours to move out of the market.

“However, we are happy that the entire market has now been shut so we can iron things out with authorities.

“We are happy with the message from the vice chairman who met with us on issues concerning market.”

Shehu said it was true that the market executive requested that those who converted
the market to their homes be moved out of the market and those trading on Wednesday market.

“This is because, on Wednesdays, one cannot move freely within the market but in the past five market days, the roads were open and people were moving freely, we are happy with the council’s assistance.”  (NAN)
KM/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-128
Thinking
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has implored authorities of tertiary institutions to think outside the box in view of the present economic challenges facing the country.

Bello made the call on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the University of Abuja led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Adikwu.

He said that when the authorities of tertiary think outside the box, they would be able to turn around things for the better.

He said that all institutions across the country including educational institutions, are passing through a phase, but assured that they would come out stronger.

The minister said that tertiary institutions have potentials that could be harnessed for national development.

He urged the managers of the institutions to seize that opportunity offered by the economic challenges facing Nigeria to turn things around.

Bello said that the FCT Administration would encourage firms doing business in the territory to develop infrastructure at the University of Abuja campus as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).

He assured that the Administration would process the University’s Certificate of Occupancy covering over 11,800 hectares of land along Airport road after receiving payments of necessary fees.

He urged the VC and his delegation to constitute a technical team to meet with some selected officials of the FCT Administration to ascertain how much land is required for the University.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Michael Adikwu told the minister that illegal squatters are encroaching on the University’s land and solicited the intervention of the FCT administration.

He also solicited the assistance of the administration in resettling and compensating the natives residing around the University campus. (NAN)

KM/AEA
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NAN-H-125
Rulings
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Court of Appeal has granted Eyitayo Jegede, leave to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja which recognised Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo state.

Jegede emerged the candidate of the party in the congress conducted by the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP.

Jimoh Ibrahim is the candidate of the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party.

The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja chaired by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa granted Jegede the leave.

Giving ruling on Jegede’s motion, Salauwa held that the application had merit.

Salauwa said it was clear that the decision of the High Court which recognised Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the Ondo state governorship poll had hurt the applicant grievously.

“All the prayers made by the applicant are hereby granted.

“The court has seen the need to depart from the rules and therefore, the record transmitted from the trial court in respect of this case is deemed to have been filed.

“The parties are ordered to exchange processes within 24 hours to set the stage for the hearing of the substantive appeal,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jegede had challenged the ruling by Justice Okon Abang ordering INEC to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the Ondo state governorship election.

The panel also dismissed an application filed by the Chairman of Ondo State PDP and 10 others asking for the disbandment of the panel.

In his ruling, the Judge held that the application lacked merit and therefore should not be allowed to stand.

He said the motion lacked all material facts, adding that all the issues raised by the applicants were mere speculation.

“No party in a matter is empowered by law to challenge administrative decisions of heads of court.

“The President of the Court of Appeal is responsible for assigning cases.

“We do not want to deliberate on the reasons why the first panel rescues itself from determining these appeals; we believe this panel has the jurisdiction to treat these matters,’’ he said.

The respondents are to reply within three days

 NAN reports that Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Sen. Ben Obi, Biyi Poroyo, Eyitayo Jegede, and Jimoh Ibrahim are all parties in the matter.

The Executive of PDP South West Zone and Ondo State Executive members of the party were also listed as parties.

OMO/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-AE-15
Farmers
Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, invited Russian farmers to invest in Nigeria, produce and export to Europe to earn foreign exchange.

Osinbajo told a Russian delegation which visited him at the State House, Abuja, that “we are just six hours away from Europe by air. Vegetables and flour can be exported to Europe from here; from our local markets.”

The vice president told the Russian delegation, led by Mr Alexander Tkachev, the Russian Minister of Agriculture, that the availability of arable land in Nigeria made the case for improved local agricultural production highly imperative.

Osinbajo noted that although foreign exchange was a major constraint,  it was more reasonable to produce locally, rather than continue to import, with its significant pressure on dwindling foreign earnings of the country.

He said “oil prices have gone down tremendously and yet large amount of foreign exchange is used to purchase food abroad and we have large arable land for agriculture.

“It won’t make sense if we don’t use the land.”

According to him, there is money to be made if Russian technology in agriculture is deployed
locally, adding that there are better opportunities for economic cooperation between both countries.

Both the vice president and the delegation agreed that Nigeria and Russia should deepen the existing diplomatic relations, especially economically.

Earlier, the Russian agriculture minister had expressed his country’s willingness to enhance the existing trade relations with Nigeria.

Tkachev, who is also the Co-Chair of the Nigeria-Russia Joint Commission, observed that Nigeria-Russia trade volume as at the end of 2015 exceeded 300 million dollars, adding, however, that
there were potential for improvement in the years ahead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation included the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, Amb. Nikolay Udovichenko, Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr Evgeny Gromyko and officials of Russian firm United Company (Rusal). (NAN)
DCU/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-122

Immorality

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said President-elect of the United States of America, Mr Donald Trump, was positioned by God to fight immorality in the country.

Ayokunle said this at the 29th General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) held at First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday.

The three-day programme is tagged: “God of Life: Lead Nigeria to Justice, Peace and Dignity.’’

He called on Americans to watch very closely as the new administration would not tolerate the issues of immorality in the country any more.

According to him, God has now positioned him to fight the immoral life in the American society; the nation that was once known as God’s own country is vastly becoming Sodom and Gomorrah.

Ayokunle said that there was an extent to which a nation would emphasise circular and individual liberty to the neglect of God’s absolute reign to the affairs of men.

He called on Nigerians to be on guard at all times as Boko Haram had not been fully defeated, following the recent killing of Lt. Col. Abu Ali and some soldiers in Maiduguri.

He said “it is not over until it is over; the fact that a top army officer was killed is a signal to the fact that we have not defeated them.

“It was also an attestation to the commitment of the Federal Government to fight this demon called Boko Haram.

“So, everybody should be more committed so that the souls of those who died might not be in vain.’’

The CAN boss called on Christians to be united and not to make their doctrinal beliefs to overwhelm them because Jesus Christ prayed for the church to be one.

“We are diverse because of our doctrinal beliefs but we must be one because Jesus says the church must be one; He prayed for the church.

“I think the problem with us is the placing of much emphasis on autonomy where it becomes its petals when we lack respect for one another.

“There should be collective recognition of leadership, desire to put up the things of the world and eternity-centred in such a way that occupying position does not matter to anybody,’’ he said.

He said that corruption in the country was endemic and called on the government to keep fighting it so that the country would not be crippled.

According to Ayokunle, corruption appears to be endemic in the Nigerian society and it has got to the fabric of our national lives; there is hardly any sector that can be exempted.

“By the result that corruption has given us presently, I think it is high time we all rose and fight the demon; without fighting it, it will cripple us.

“If we are not very careful we will end up becoming a crippled giant because we have allowed corruption to enter into our system,’’ he said.

Earlier, President of CCN, Dr Emmanuel Josiah, had called on Nigerians to support the fight against corruption, asking the citizenry to repent and return to God.

According to him, the greatest challenge that we are facing now is sin, and where ever there is sin, we cannot experience any progress and God can never be there.

“There is no child of God that will not support the fight against corruption,’’ Josiah said.
Dr Rufus Ositelu, Primate, The Church of the Lord Prayer Fellowship Worldwide, said that corruption could not be fought totally but could be brought to a minimum so that the country would move forward.

According to him, what is really disturbing the progress of this country is corruption; if corruption is fought to a standstill by next year, we will see progress in the country. (NAN)

OYS/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-115
Unions
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) Labour unions in Oyo State on Thursday picketed CNC, a Chinese company on the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road, alleging casualisation of workers and slavery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions–Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC)– arrived the company which is involved in quarry-related activities  at exactly 10 a.m.

The unions grounded the operations of the company, maintaining that  workers were being enslaved and made to work under poor conditions.

Addressing newsmen, Mr Kofo Ogundeji, the NLC Secretary in the state, said the union had written several letters and made representations to the company’s management without  any meaningful response.

Ogundeji, who said the action would be sustained, pledged that the union remained committed to halting the oppression of workers.

Mr Andrew Emelieze, the Chairman of TUC in the state, said that the unions would always protect the interest and welfare of workers.

“What is going on here at this company is slavery, exploitation and sheer wickedness.

“ We will not condone casualisation, slavery and exploitation of workers in our state,” he said.

But Mr Bruce Shen, an official of the company,  said  CNC  was ready for  dialogue with labour,  adding that  about 50 casual  workers were presently engaged.

He, however, refused to sign the MoU presented by the union, saying he would pass the information across to the company’s management in Lagos.

NAN reports that the MoU by the unions requested that the management meets with the labour unions for dialogue within 14 days.

It also requested that workers should be allowed to unionise and benefit from improved welfare package without any form of victimisation or sanction arising from the workers’ role in the picketing exercise.

Workers of the company had told newsmen that they were subjected to terrible working conditions

“ We work without break every day. We sleep on the floor in the provided accommodation and we are paid N3,000 monthly,’’ one of the workers said.

The company, sited some four kilometres on the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road, has no health care facilities. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

FG gives Asa Irrigation contractor two weeks to complete project

NAN-AE-15
Project
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Fiscal Responsibility Commission on Thursday gave the contractor handling the Asa Irrigation project two weeks to complete the project.

The commission’s Head of Planning Research and Statistics Directorate, Mrs Mariam Mohammed gave the instruction while inspecting the project in Ballah, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara.

She said that, though the contractor, Mr Kayode Sangoyomi, said that the project has been completed and handed over since last year, but it was discovered that all the scope of coverage has not been completed.

Mohammed, who led the inspection team, said that though the solar borehole has been drilled, but yet to bring forth water.

”Although, the contractor said that the project has been completed and handed over,  the solar borehole isn’t working yet,  so as far as we are concerned, it is still work in progress.

”So, we are giving them the opportunity to meet with the client of the contract, which is the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority to get professionals to check the status of the borehole and come up with a solution.

”They have to get geophysics to do a new survey, which will make the borehole functional.

”After two weeks, we will come back for the inspection and if it isn’t working then,  we will know what to do,  but payment cannot be made when all the scopes have not been covered, “Mohammed said.

She, however, commended the initiator of the project, Ministry of Water Resources and the Lower Niger River Basin Development.

”The job is of immense benefit, but the government will need to do more because the job is not complete.

”This phase that was inspected, which is almost completed is in preparation to having an irrigation dam.

”We have seen about 25 hectares of land that has been cleared and shared out to farmers, which have been put to use already.

”We also saw the road linking the project site to Ajia village, which is good because it will ease transportation of farm produce.

”So, I am impressed, the only thing left is the borehole, though; it is to serve the farmers for irrigation purposes.

”Aside from this, that place has been opened up for further development, “she said.

Mr Chuba Umechukwu, from the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, said that all options had not yet been tried before their conclusion that the borehole could not supply water.

”We have seen all the facilities on ground,  but the borehole isn’t prolific, so, I suggested some measures to see if it can at least supply little water for them.

”And again, they said its rainfed irrigation because they are hoping there should be a dam, which has not been done, my question therefore is, have they done the design and feasibility studies.

”Also, we are not sure they did the geophysics studies for the borehole well or they are just doing blind drilling, these are what had not been fully answered.

“This and other issues we have given them a deadline to do, and we have told the contractor that, it may not be smile as we have it today, when we come back in two weeks time, ” Umechukwu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the project was awarded to Tos Global Concept Ventures Ltd on Oct. 22, 2012 for N99, 606, 937. 50.

As at the completion of the project, N90, 941, 040.63 has been paid with N8, 665, 896. 87 left to be paid. (NAN)
BAY/KOLE/AFA
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-18
Coach
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 10, 2016 (NAN) The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Thursday unveiled Coach Fatai Amao as the club’s new coach for Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amao was unveiled at the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Yomi Oke in Ibadan, where he signed a two-year deal.

NAN reports that Amao, the Nigeria Olympic Team’s Assistant Coach, has just finished his CAF A Licence coaching course in Abuja.

Amao, former 3SC coach from 2009 to 2011, was expected to commence work immediately.

He later told newsmen that he was  excited to return home and promised to place integrity and hard work as priority before money.

He assured that he would work to make the team great again.

“I am very excited to be appointed as Technical Adviser of 3SC. I don’t really have fear because I am back home. I feel very comfortable being in Ibadan.

“I’m ready to work with my coaching crew, whom I believe are very good people. We have very cordial relationship and I believe our re-union will bring the best for the club. We know each other very well and I believe we will get things right.

“I want to make name for myself and 3SC. I have travelled a little bit and wherever I go, people
always ask for Shooting Stars and Rangers and that tells you 3SC is a big club and we must make it great again.

“I am ready to take up the task and by the grace of God, we will conquer.”

The Oyo State commissioner for youths and sports said he was pleased with the presentation of coach Amao.

He explained that “Amao has signed two years deal with us and we are very happy. On our side, the welfare of the team will be paramount.”

On his part, Mr Rasheed Balogun, the General Manager of the club, said the club went for the right person who understood its workings well.

NAN reports that Amao would succeed Coach Gbenga Ogunbote who saved the team from relegation in the last NPFL season.

Ogunbote was reported to have signed a new coaching deal with Enyimba International Football Club of Aba. (NAN)
TAA/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu