Blog

NAN-H-110
Prisoners
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, has said that the Federal Government will ensure a reformative process in Nigerian prisons and for the inmates.

Osibanjo made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Prison Ministry Conference and Investiture of Patrons of Prison Fellowship in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Rebuilding Lives and Repairing the Harms of Crime’’.

The Vice President, who was represented by Pastor Joseph Malomo, Chaplain of the State House Chapel, commended the fellowship for complementing the efforts of government in rehabilitating prisoners in the country.

He enjoined the fellowship to collaborate with other NGOs and faith-based organisations to ensure that the gospel was preached to prisoners.

“The purpose of the fellowship is to preach Christ but it can be challenging where it is difficult to have such messages preached; but the effort of reforming prisoners is interfaith-based.

“It has to cut across interfaith because criminals are in all the religions and reformation must be the effort of everybody because, creating a new society is an effort that we must all embark upon.

“The fellowship should see how it can collaborate with other NGOs and faith-based organisations, especially in the North-East,  because there are many that have been arrested because of the insurgency.

“We must see how we can reform them and I believe that by the grace of God it will be possible,’’ he said.

Rev. Tor Ujah, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), who was  the Chairman of the conference, called for total reformation of the country’s prison system.

Uja also called for the restructuring of the criminal justice system and development of the country’s educational system, adding that lack of education was one of the major reasons for crime.

According to him, most people who have gained some reasonable level of education do not easily throw themselves into crime while the absence of educational opportunity creates that situation.

“I will not talk about poverty because poverty is relative but education is a more central thing.

“I will like two things to happen: one is that judges should be more proactive and remove people who have stayed lightly longer than they are to stay when they have been tried.

“For anybody to stay in prison for two years without trial, anybody in that category should be discharged and set free.

“More importantly, I still want us to “decolonise” Nigerian prison because it is a draconian colonial system that has not been helpful to Nigeria,’’ he said.

Uja said that the Nigerian prison system had neither the process of making the prisoners productive nor the process of creating opportunities to reform them.

He said that the system had only a punitive nature, adding that prison officers were seen as wicked people instead of being seen taking care of people disadvantaged by circumstances.

According to him, the country needs to “decolonise” the prison system and change the prison officers from looking like another law enforcement agents.

“They should be a civil group and a social agent rehabilitating and looking after prisoners;  working together with other social groups to create mental and attitudinal change in the prisoners.

“Everything we know about prison is colonial and this is wrong because we see the prison walls high up with barbed wires on top which is so oppressing.

“While we need to secure prisoners, we need a better way,’’ he said.

The NCPC boss stressed the need to establish farms and semi-industries in prisons, where prisoners could be made to work in order to become productive and also learn something new.

He said that prisoners could be empowered by what they produced so that they would be able resettle after serving out their prison terms.

“It is not just working for free because you are a prisoner; it is working for the development of the nation and for your own progress too.”

He  urged the church to be more involved in the reformation of prisoners through preaching the gospel, adding that government needed the church to drive the change. (NAN)
OYS/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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NAA-F-30
emails
London, Nov. 8, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday defended the leakage
of U.S. Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails and denied supporting her Republican rival, Donald Trump.

“The reasons behind Wikileaks failure to release information on Donald Trump or any other candidate were practical and not tactical,” Assange said.

Assange said these on the eve of one of the most scandal-ridden U.S. elections in the country’s history.

The Wikileaks founder, who had been living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for four years, denied being motivated by influencing the outcome of the election.

He added that “no one disputes the public importance of these publications; it would be unconscionable for Wikileaks to withhold such an archive from the public during an election.

“At the same time, we cannot publish what we do not have.

“To date, we have not received information on Donald Trump’s campaign, or Jill Stein’s campaign, or Gary Johnson’s campaign or any of the other candidates that fulfills our stated editorial criteria.”

He said Wikileaks remained committed to publishing information that informs the public, even if
many, especially those in power, would prefer not to see it. dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

African Union to call meeting on Libyan crisis

NAN-F-26
Crisis
Addis Ababa, Nov. 8, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The African Union announced a new initiative to stabilise Libya, on Tuesday, calling on all the country’s stakeholders to join in a “frank and direct dialogue.”

The meeting will be held as soon as possible, Chadian President and AU chairman Idriss Deby, said at a summit of seven AU leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

“The situation in Libya is very complicated as there is a lack of homogeneity between the two camps, with each one having a multitude of political and military actors.

“Africa today is affected by the disastrous consequences of the Libyan crisis,” Deby said.

Libya has suffered from political and security chaos, including a division between Islamist-leaning factions and centrists, since longtime dictator Moamer Gaddafi was overthrown and slain in a 2011 uprising.

About 2.4 million Libyans are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, including 350,000 internally displaced people, according to the AU. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AFA
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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NAN-F-29

Libel

Istanbul, Nov. 8, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Turkish President Recep Erdogan has filed charges against Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition centre-left People’s Republican Party (CHP), for “serious libel,” Kilicdaroglu’s spokesman said on Tuesday.

The charges are directed at a statement issued by the CHP which described Erdogan and the leadership of the ruling conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) as “the greatest danger” for democracy in Turkey.

Erdogan is also accused in the CHP statement of supporting the movement of U.S.-based Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen, the Islamic State terrorist organisation and the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The Turkish government blames Gulen and his followers of being behind the failed July 15 coup d’etat attempt in Turkey.

Until they fell out in 2013, Erdogan and Gulen were close allies. (dpa/NAN)

OYE/IEA

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-AE-13
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze weather conditions over the central states of the country on Wednesday.

NiMet gave the prediction in the Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Tuesday in Abuja.

It stated that the region would have reduced visibility of about two to five kilometres with maximum temperatures of 27 to 37 degrees Celsius.

The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy to partly cloudy conditions in the morning, with maximum temperatures of 32 to 34 degrees Celsius.

It also predicted that localosed thunderstorms were likely over Asaba, Awka, Enugu, Ikom, Obudu, Uyo, Eket and Owerri axis in the afternoon and evening hours.

According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze conditions with chances of reduced horizontal visibility of about two to five kilometres with maximum temperatures of 32 to 37 degrees Celsius.

“Dust haze is expected over the north and central cities, reducing horizontal visibility with increased dryness over the country.

“However, partly cloudy conditions is expected over parts of the south with isolated thunderstorms in few cities in the next 24 hours,’’ NiMet predicted. (NAN)
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-107

Confirmation

Asaba, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the nomination of persons as chairman and members of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Board.

The confirmation of the nominees followed the conclusion of their screening conducted by the Speaker of the house, Chef Monday Igbuya.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa submitted the list of the nominees to the assembly on Thursday.

The nominees are Chief Tom Amioku, a former commissioner for works, as chairman and Mr Austin Igbine, former Coordinator of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in the state as member.

Other members are Chief Akpodiogaga Emeyese, a former member of the House of Representatives and Mrs Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju, a former member of the House of Assembly for Oshimili South constituency.

The motion for their confirmation was moved by the Deputy Majority Leader of the house, Mr Oboro Preyor and seconded by Mr Emeka Nwaobi, representing Aniocha North Constituency. (NAN)

MOA/TO/OPI

Edited by Tola Okinbaloye and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-F-27
Attack
Berlin, Nov. 8, 2016 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday warned about
the threat posed by Russian cyber attacks on 2017 German national elections as an attempt by Moscow to influence the outcome of the ballot in Europe’s biggest economy.

Merkel told a press conference in Berlin that “there have already been Russian cyber attacks in Germany; the aim was to spread false information.

“That is why it can play a role in the election campaign.”

The chancellor had clashed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years over Moscow’s backing for rebel forces in eastern Ukraine.

She had also helped to spearhead European Union’s moves to impose sanctions on Russia after the Kremlin annexed the former Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March 2014.

U.S. security agencies have accused Russia of intervening in the U.S. Presidential election by hacking into Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign headquarters’ computer.

Berlin security authorities also suspect that Russian hackers under the control of Moscow were behind a series of recent attacks against the administration of the parliamentary lower house.

The Russian hackers were also believed to be behind the Bundestag attack, as well as the headquarters of Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-101

Investors

Abuja, Oct. 8, 2016 (NAN) Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications has said that Nigeria would partner with investors in the ICT sector.

The minister stated this when he received the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Morteza Rahimi in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shittu said government was ready to collaborate with Iran in the area of ICT.

He said that Nigeria and Iran had so many things in common especially colonialism, neo-colonialism and non-violent independence struggle.

Shittu noted that Nigeria was an investment haven for prospective investors in Information and Communication Technology and assured the ambassador of huge opportunities and market for investors.

He listed the areas of prospective investment to include ICT, manufacturing of GSM, broadband provision and other allied industries and assured him of a friendly business environment.

The Ambassador said he was in the ministry to convey his government’s appreciation to Nigeria for the support his country received in the election of its president.

He also said that he choose the ministry of communications to unveil his country’s stamps “because of the nature and the role it plays in culture conveyance.’’

According to Rahimi, the stamp showcases the culture of his country and the cultural values of the two nations which seek to correct negative perceptions and to promote their economies.

The ambassador said that companies from his country can expand knowledge and improving communications infrastructure to create jobs and increase Iranian business operations in Nigeria. (NAN)
COA/HAS/IEA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-76
Dangote
By Kola Adeyemi
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Dangote Group said on Tuesday that it would take advantage of the forthcoming dry season to complete the 45-kilometre Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi.

The group’s Executive Director, Communications, Alhaji Ahmed Mansur, gave the assurance at a media parley in Abuja.

Mansur said that cement products from the company would be used to tar the road.

He said the company used cement to construct a 25-kilometre road from Otori to Ibese, adding that cement was effective in road construction than asphalt.

Mansur also promised that the Dangote Skill Acquisition Centre, currently under construction in Lokoja, would soon be completed.

He said that the project, which had reached 80 per cent completion stage, suffered a setback due to the change of government in the state.

Mansur said that all issues relating to the centre had been resolved with the present government.

The executive director said that the centre, to be equipped with modern equipment, would reduce unemployment and restiveness among youths.

According to him, the company is also in the process of acquiring hectares of land in the state for a sugarcane plantation.

He said that the company’s target was to have 150,000 hectares of sugarcane plantation in the next five years.

Mansur said that the plantations would be located in Kwara, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba. (NAN)
KKA/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye
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The Nigerian military engage in 16 operations – Abubakar

NAN-DS-11
Operations
Maiduguri, Nov. 8, 2016(NAN) The Nigerian Armed Forces are currently engaged in 16 operations aimed at ensuring territorial integrity of the country, Brig.- Gen. Rabe Abubakar, the Director of Defense Information, has said.

Abubakar said this while speaking at an interactive forum with members of the Borno Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

He said some of the operations were being carried out jointly with other security agencies while others were conducted by the Armed Forces alone.

Abubakar named some of the operations to include Operation Lafiya Dole; Operation Safe Corridor and Operation Delta Safe.

“As I speak with you now, the Nigerian Armed Forces is engaged in 16 operations,” he said.

Abubakar added: “We have Operation Lafiya Dole, Operations Safe Corridor, and Operation Delta Safe to take care of the militants in the Niger Delta.

“We equally have Operation Sharan Daji to take care of Cattle Rustlers “.

He said that the military was also working on plans to introduce another operation to tackle the problem of farmers/herdsmen clashes.

“Once it is in place the menace of farmers/ rearers clash will be a thing of the past in the country,” Abubakar said.

He said that the military was also engaged in other functions aimed at securing the country.

“We are also involved in other numerous activities aimed at safeguarding the country,” Abubakar said.

He, however, lamented that in spite of these efforts some Nigerians were bent on pulling down the military.

“Some people are behaving as if they are not part of this country, for reasons best known to them,” Abubakar said.

He said that his visit was part of efforts aimed at solidifying relationship between the military and the media.

He expressed the need for a synergy between the military and the media.

“We are all working to ensure that Nigeria remains peaceful.

” There is no military in contemporary history that can succeed without having a good reportage and only the media can do that, ” the Defence Spokesman said.

He advised the media to be more patriotic in its reportage of military operations to secure the country. (NAN)
ABI/AK/AMY

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Edited by Akin Makanjuola and Abdullahi Yusuf