Blog

NAN-H-102

Criticism

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has decried the politicisation of the death of Lt. Col. Mohammed Abu-Ali and six soldiers, killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

The group in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Muhammad Labbo and Secretary, Mr Cassidy Madueke, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the development as unfortunate.

It accused some supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan of using “the unfortunate demise’’ of the soldiers to raise issues of equipment purchased under Jonathan`s administration.

It said that it was saddening that the supporters could not honour the dead soldiers who sacrificed their lives while defending the country.

“Under the prevailing emotional circumstances, what is expected of patriotic Nigerians, including the former president’s supporters, is to show empathy with the dead, their bereaved families and the institutions they represent’’.

The group stated that it was insensitivity for any person or group to point fingers at this moment of national mourning on issues related to equipment purchase.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the purported equipment purchased in former President Jonathan`s administration were refurbished T72 tanks from the Warsaw pact countries manufactured before World War II as evidenced’’.

This, the group added, was the case of other equipment purchased by the Jonathan administration.

It said that the equipment included the decommissioned Alpha Jets and MI 25 helicopters which led to the death of several officers and men as they kept falling off from the sky

It added that such incidents were more in operations against insurgency.

The group, however, called on the present administration not to make reference to the misdeeds and misrule of the past.

It condoled with the families of the deceased soldiers and urged Nigerians to continue to support Buhari’s administration in its effort to completely eradicate the menace of Boko Haram. (NAN)

EEM/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-AE-16
Residents
By Akeem Abas
Saki (Oyo State), Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Saki town on Wednesday in Saki lauded the Oyo State Government on the award of the dualisation contract of their township road.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had on Monday listed the dualisation of Saki township road from Oke-Ogun Polytechnic to Ilesa Baruba.

NAN reports that the 11-kilometre road was awarded to Adold Engineering Development Company at a contract sum of N8.22 billion for a period of 18months.

The residents had in their separate interviews commended the state government on the project, which they stated would boost the economy of the town.

The Chairman, Saki West Local Government, Mr Kareem Adegoke, said that the road project would ease transportation, reduce road accidents and boost agriculture sector in the state.

“Saki is one of the food basket areas of Oyo State. Saki is the biggest urban settlement in Oke-Ogun with an estimated population of 800,000 people.

“We are optimistic that the road has finally been awarded and would be completed in 18 months.

“I am very sure that lots of communities will merge with Saki and several development projects will spring up, “ he said.

He expressed delight that the project would affect few properties, adding that the people have always complied with the road setback directive.

Kareem hoped that the contractors would soon move to site and ensure that work reaches an advanced stage before the next rainy season.

The Rector, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Mr Matthew Oladeji, said that the project was long overdue, saying its commencement would open the town to the world.

Oladeji said that the dualisation of the road would boost the economy of the town, urging the people to continue to support the government.

“We are soliciting the cooperation of residents, commuters, transporters who are likely to grapple with inconveniences for the duration of the project, “ he said.

Mr Rasak Akande, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Saki Interstate branch, remarked that the road rehabilitation would improve transportation business and reduce constant damages to vehicles.

He urged the people living in areas marked for demolition in the survey design of the contractors to evacuate their houses.

NAN reports that some other community leaders in the town, including Mr Yekeen Arikose, Mr Adeyemo Adewunmi and Mrs Fasasi Sabiti, expressed joy over the project.

They all stated that the project would enhance their businesses and living conditions of Saki people and their neighbours. (NAN)
TAA/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-DS-16
Traffic
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN)The Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) on Wednesday said it would partner with the Governors of Anambra, Willie Obiano and Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, on measures to ease traffic on the Niger bridge during the yuletide.

A statement signed by Mr BISI KAZEEM, Head, Media Relations and Strategy of the commission, said the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known during a meeting with the two governors .

Oyeyemi said that plans were underway to curb the perennial traffic challenges along Benin-Asaba-Onitsha-Awka corridor.

He said that the Benin – Asaba – Onitsha – Awka Corridor was one of the critical Corridors of the nation’s highways with a total stretch of about 173km.

He said it was one of the major highways that linked the Eastern part to the other parts of the country.

According to him, characteristically, the Corridor experienced considerable volume of traffic in varying degrees.

“Recent traffic count indicated that at the peak of traffic along Asaba – Benin highway, a total of 7,692 vehicles were recorded on 12-hourly basis; while Benin – Asaba also recorded 6,681 at the peak of traffic.

“ The lowest traffic period within the same period recorded 527 and 412, for the two routes respectively.

“Of recent, it has been observed that the corridor has degenerated throwing up some traffic non-conformities while at the same time motorists, as usual, misuse the road bringing considerable hardships to other motorists.

Oyeyemi said having identified the various impediments to free flow of traffic along this critical corridor and highlighting the possible phased solutions, intervention as specified would go a long way in solving the problem.

He said this would also make motorists enjoy their travels and minimise time lost in transit as well as eliminate loss of lives and property associated with crashes.

“Quick action on this issue is therefore sacrosanct,’’ the corps marshal said

The statement said that the Governors pledged their support to the commission to ensure a sustained free flow of traffic in the two states, especially during the yuletide.(NAN)
ATAB/AMY/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-S-20

Partnership

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The League Management Company (LMC) have signed two separate commercial partnerships with two service providers, Kari Xchange and Digital Mobility (VDL).

A statement by Harry Iwuala, LMC’s media officer issued on Wednesday in Abuja said partnerships were geared towards deploying technology for the league.

He said that the drive would engaged, monetize content and expand the fan base of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

”The LMC signed an agreement with Kari Xchange, a software development company for the design, development and operating of a fan engagement platform for the NPFL.

Eucharia Amanambu, the Chief Executive Officer of Kari Xchange was quoted saying that they were working with global Information Technology giant, Microsoft.

She said the aim was to build a platform where football fans within and outside the country would follow and engage in football activities.

Amanambu said the platform would also let fans know more about the NPFL matches, clubs and players.

Describing the workings of the platform when built, Amanambu said, “this platform will enable football fans meet and engage other fans, access NPFL football news, play NPFL fantasy football and other games.

“It will also allow the NPFL players and aspiring footballers on the platform to showcase their talents to the world”.

She further explained that the platform would be configured to enable fans buy NPFL Clubs’ merchandise, match tickets, bet and support their NPFL clubs.

The platform would also be offering loyalty reward to the fans.

A second agreement signed same day was with Vas Digital Mobility (VDL), a key player in the telecommunications Value Added Services (VAS) domain specializing in made for mobile content for consumers.

Represented by Oluwarotimi Fasuyi, the Chief Operating Officer, VDL said it partnered with LMC to achieve content penetration and increase in engagement for the NPFL on mobile phones.

He explained that the partnership would make it possible for followers of the NPFL to follow the games through video highlight content on mobile phones.

“The growing number of Smartphone users in Nigeria and the launch of 4G LTE by telecom operators has provided the unique opportunity for Nigerians to enjoy the league on mobile phones.

“Nigerians will now be able to watch video highlights of matches, match review, preview and video news of NPFL daily” he said.

Shehu Dikko, Chairman of LMC recalled that the vision of the LMC has been to continuously enter into alliance with critical solution providers in all sectors.

This, he said was for the development of the NPFL towards attaining globally acceptable commercial and games management standard.

He noted that the companies had been selected following painstaking discussions, evaluation and fine tuning of proposed strategies.

Dikko therefore called on government to support the LMC by putting in place enabling policies, legislation and critical infrastructure that would enhance football business in Nigeria.

“This is proof of what has been stated many times that the NPFL is a veritable catalyst for job creation and economic growth through cross-sector interconnections.

“By supporting and collaborating with the LMC, governments at all levels can utilize these opportunities to drive the economic diversification policy, grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create jobs for our teeming youth across the country.

“Today marks another milestone in our march to position the NPFL commercial operations towards monetising critical assets of the league.

“Our drive going forward is getting the stakeholders to focus beyond the three points from a match and build enduring commercial structures”, said the LMC Chairman.

He said global business operations were driven by technology and the LMC was keying into the global trend to maximise existing potentials in the NPFL.

Dikko added that the LMC would continue to seek new opportunities to grow the commercial capacity of the league to generate wealth.  (NAN)

VO/DE/YAZ
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Yusuf Zango)

Trump’s victory, a good omen for Nigeria’s economy – Abuja Chamber

NAN-HE-30

Victory

Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Tony Ejinkeonye, says the victory of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election may favour Nigeria.

Ejinkeonye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the victory of Trump might result to capital flight from U.S. to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

According to him, the U.S. stock market is already feeling the impact, adding that the stock value is diving already.

He said that the Republican presidential candidate victory might stir anxiety in the mind of  investors.

“The effect may not be immediate but in a short period it may affect the investors, and speculators mind set. Investors would be worried.

“Some investors may pull out their investments away from America and divert them to Nigeria and other African countries.

“There may be capital flight from U.S. to Africa or others,” he said.

He, however, said the victory might lead to a reversal of some agreements between U.S. and Nigeria, especially in the area of trade.

According to him, it may affect one or two agreements that Nigeria has with the U.S. like the AGOA scheme and others, but it will take a while before it can take effect.

The President of National Association of Nigerian Traders, (NANTS) Mr Ken Ukaoha, said Nigerians needed not to trouble themselves over the victory as it might not have much impact on the economy.

‘‘In all honesty, the U.S.- Nigeria economy, for quite a long time, has been on diplomacy and not reality.

“I think we should be a bit relaxed because for some years U.S. purchase of  Nigerian oil has reduced and Nigeria did not die for it.

“U.S. has always been ruled by core politicians and technocrats, but now a realist has become the president. It is better to have ourselves in the hand of the pragmatists.”

According to him, for a businessman like Trump to win, it portends growth for the economy; there may be a reversal of hash policy to give way for economic growth in the country.

He said that it was high time Nigeria reduced its dependence on U.S. and others.

“We should work out our salvation, improve on our economy and strengthen the country. Make use of available resources.

“We should be thinking along the way of Trump planning to have a closed economy; we should also close our economy and grow it instead of depending on other developed nation,” he said. (NAN)

IAA/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-88
Road
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has ordered the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) , to rehabilitate and resurface the failed portions of Abuja-Bwari-Kaduna road by Dutsen Alhaji Modern Market.

Bello gave the order  o Wednesday while meeting with some senior officials of the FCDA in his office in Abuja.

The Minister said that the failed portions on the dual carriage road by Dutse-Alhaji market should be repaired within two weeks.

He said that the road , which serves  as the entrance into the Abuja metropolis, “is not only an eyesore but a source of worry to every motorist passing through that axis.”

According to him, apart from the street hawkers that hinder free flow of traffic on that road, the failed portions  had been one of the major causes of traffic gridlock on that route.

He, therefore, directed that when the road is fully rehabilitated and resurfaced, the security agents around that axis must always ensure  free flow of traffic.

“They should also stop the illegal activities of street hawkers to reduce travel time for motorists,’’ he said.

The Minister insisted that the well being of the residents of the territory must remain the priority of the Administration.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that the Change Agenda of the Federal Government gets to all the nooks and crannies of the Territory,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the site of the rehabilitation, Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, has already commenced  work on the road.

Mr John Nuhu, a Surveyor , told NAN that the firm has mobilised to the site and would complete one part of the dual carriage by Friday or Saturday and move to the second part next week.

He noted that the contractor had to close one part of the carriageway and fix it, before opening it to motorists .

Alhaji Yahaya Tukur, a civil servant at the  Army Resettlement Estate, Kubwa, commended  the minister for coming to their aid.

“We will remain grateful to the minister for this timely intervention without which we would have remained in terrible situation,’’ he said.

Another resident, Mrs Titilayo Omolade, told NAN that this has been one of the best things that have happened to her since the inception of the present administration. (NAN)

KM/DO/MST

Edited by David Onilede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-96
Empowerment
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) Rev. Tor Uja, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has commended the Government of Cote d’ivoire for empowering its youths and supporting youth revolution in West Africa.
A statement by NCPC’s Head of Media, Mr Celestine Ogugua, on Wednesday in Abuja stated that Ujah gave the commendation when he received the delegation from Cote d’ivoire Ministry of Trade.
According to Uja, any nation that had been able to empower its youth is a nation on the path of development.
He said that the commission sent a high powered delegation to Cote d’ivoire this year to explore some of the Christian Holy Sites in the country.
Uja assured the delegation that he would send another delegation to Cote d’ivoire next year to further assess the Holy Sites and come out with workable recommendations.
He assured the delegation that he would honour their invitation to attend the forthcoming international trade fair holding in Abidjan in March next year.
The NCPC boss stressed that Nigerians believed in inter-African relationship and as such would continue to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Earlier, in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Miss Alla Sambo, who represented the Ivorien Minister of Trade, invited Uja to be the special guest of honour at the third edition of the country’s trade fair.
Sambo said that the fair was not only commercial but for tourism, explaining that it would afford the executive secretary the opportunity to visit Christian Holy Sites in Abidjan.
She said that Nigeria had been chosen to serve as the special guest of honour and urged the NCPC boss to grace the occasion with other dignitaries from Nigeria. (NAN)
OYS/DO/MO

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Edited by David Onilede/Morayo Omolade

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NAN-DS-13
Pedestrians
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corp Commander Sunday Oghenekaro, has warned pedestrians on the grave dangers of walking while in a drunken state.

Oghenekaro gave the warning at the Jabi Motor Park during this year’s “Don’t Drink and Drive’’ Road Safety Campaign in Abuja on Wednesday.

The commander said that in the past, much emphasis had been on drunk driving.

He said it was also important to raise awareness on the dangers of  being drunk and walking as it posed serious danger just as driving while drunk to the pedestrian and other road users.

He said that there have been several reported cases of drunk persons crossing roads recklessly, thereby causing serious road accidents.

“It is the responsibility of the pedestrian to ensure and promote personal and general safety by refraining from drinking or ingesting drugs while using the road.

“This may impair his sense of reasoning and consequently, poor judgment when using the road, and ultimately leading to road crashes.

“This campaign is slated for the“ EMBER’’ months, to create awareness and raise warnings on the wrong use of drugs and alcohol as most events and festivals are celebrated this period.

“Hence the need for the campaign and warnings that must be faithfully embraced by all.”

Oghenekaro urged pedestrians to comply with traffic signals and rules, especially on the use of pedestrians’ crossings facilities.

He said that Regulation 173 of the National Road Traffic Rules (NRTR) 2012, stipulates that no pedestrian should conduct himself in a manner likely to constitute danger to himself and others.

“Any person who acts in contravention of this regulation shall be liable to a conviction to a fine of N2,000 or a term of three months imprisonment or both,’’ he said. (NAN)
LIZ/JPE/NKO

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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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UBEC pledges to encourage adoption of Nasarawa State special education policy

NAN-H-95

Education

Lafia, Nov. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has pledged that it will encourage the adoption of Nasarawa state’s broad-based concept of All Inclusive Special Education policy across the country.

Dr Hammeed Boboye, Executive Secretary, UBEC, made the pledge when he visited the newly-built Comprehensive Premier School for the Disable in Lafia on Wednesday.

Boboye, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary Academic, Dr Yakubu Gambo, commended Nasarawa State for the concept and assured the state of its support in subsequent policies.

He explained that the state would be given a special consideration as a Centre of Excellence anytime the commission came up with new policies on special education.

Boboye said the commission had a concept of special education embedded in UBEC enabling law which stipulated that some finances should be given to states to boost special education programme.

“ Centres of Excellence will be built in states that have performed excellently and state’s like Nasarawa should be sure of such centres.

“What we see here in Nasarawa is inclusiveness in all stages for all people, either natural or artificial”, he said.

The executive secretary urged other states to emulate Nasarawa to boost special education and ensure inclusiveness in all sectors of the society. (NAN)

BAB/GOM/IA
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Idris Abdulrahman

Recession: Association urges govt. to control commodity prices in Nasarawa

NAN-HE-29

Price

By Muhammad Baba Busu

Lafia, Nov 9, 2016 (NAN), The Nasarawa State chapter of the Marketers and Buyers Association has appealed to the state government to adopt measures to compel marketers not to hike the prices of their commodities unduly.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Shamatu Dantsoho, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia that government should take drastic measures against marketers who engaged in hiking prices of commodities.

According to him, “the action of those traders hiking their commodities is adding more pains to the common people in the society”.

Dantsoho, however, appealed to traders not to hike prices of goods and services during this period of difficulties to reduce hardship.

“We are all experiencing hard times, so we should not add to it by increasing the prices of goods and services unjustly.”

The chairman noted that traders should not emphasise on getting much gain but “the little gain you put and appreciate attracts God’s blessing on your wealth”.

He said they should be patriotic and put the nation above personal and business interests in this period of economic recession and reduce the price of commodities.

“If this is done, we will jointly curb inflation and put the economy on the path of growth and development.” (NAN)

BAB/EAL/IA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idris Abdulrahman