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NAN-F-25

Coordinator

Paris, Nov. 8, 2016 (dpa/NAN) French investigators suspect a 32-year old Belgian Abu Ahmad of planning the terrorist attacks that struck Paris and Brussels in 2015, a source said on Tuesday.

Several elements indicated that this was the case. The investigating source said the man had made the plans from Syria.

He was also identified by another terrorist suspect who was being questioned by anti-terrorism detectives.

“Ahmad was the nom de guerre the man used to plan the attacks.

“The Belgian is believed to be a member of Islamic State, and it is thought he made the plans from the terrorist group’s de facto capital in Syria, al-Raqqa’’, the report said.

An Islamic State attack in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, left 130 dead.

A March 22 attack in Brussels left 32 victims dead after a morning of bombings. (dpa/NAN)

OYE/IEA

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-99
Sentence
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Justice Kudrat Akano of Osun High Court on Tuesday in Osogbo sentenced an octogenarian, Oluwafemi Fagbemi, and three others to death by hanging for murder.

The other convicts sentenced were Tobi Ojo, Famutuwa Femi and Tope Olatunji.

The prosecutor and state counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Mr Abiodun Badiora, had told the court that the convicts on April 13, 2012, killed one Jacob Ajayi for money ritual in Ilesa town.

Badiora said the headless body of  the victim  was later recovered from a septic tank with his genitals and other parts of his body missing.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code Cap. 34 Vol.II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The convicts were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The counsel to the convicts, A.O Oluwole, however, pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy in her judgement.

Delivering judgment, Akano said the prosecutor had proved his case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Akano said the convicts were guilty of the two-count charge of conspiracy and murder preferred against them.

The judge consequently sentenced the convicts to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy and death by hanging for murder. (NAN)
VE/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-S-16

Pillars

Kano, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN)‎ The newly appointed Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars FC,  Kadiri Ikhana, says he will rebuild the team and take it to a leading position in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

He spoke during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.‎

Ikhana, who left Shooting Stars last season, signed for Kano Pillars last week.‎

He said that though the team had many flaws, he would reposition it to become strong and resilient.

The new Technical Adviser said that the team would return to winning ways and surpass its past records by proceeding to excel continentally next season.‎

‎‎”My target is to win the league and qualify the team to the African Champions League,” he said.

He thanked the Kano State Government and the people of the state for the opportunity given to him.

‎”I am very grateful to the Kano State Government and the good people of the state for the opportunity given to me.‎

“My duty is to move Kano Pillars forward and to reclaim its glory,” he said.‎

He called for the support and prayers of the people of the state to achieve his goal.

NAN reports that the state governor dissolved the management of the club last month due to poor performance and internal squabbles.‎
‎
Kano Pillars finished seventh last season, which led the Head Coach, Babaganaru Muhammad, to resign after the last match‎ of the season. (NAN)

MNT/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-93
Wage
By Joan Nwagwu
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of dragging its feet on convening a meeting of the Committee on Minimum Wage.

The NLC General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, made the accusation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ozo-Eson said that the discussion of the review of the minimum wage was long overdue.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government had on June 3, set up a 16-man joint committee to work out palliatives and fashion out a new minimum wage to cushion the effects of the fuel pump price increase.

According to him, the meetings of the Committee on Palliatives have not produced any positive result.

Cue in audio 1 (Ozo-Eson)

“It seems that government is dragging its feet and just using the committee meetings as a way of just dragging the matter.

“Specifically, with respect to the minimum wage, we, from the very beginning, have been very clear, that the minimum wage is not something that should be subsumed under the palliatives discussion.

“The minimum wage demand was made independent of whatever they did with oil price.

“The way forward for discussing the minimum wage is established.

“It is a tripartite framework that should be set up; the ILO Convention of fixing minimum wage fixing procedures is very clear on that.

“Therefore, what we are waiting for the government to do is to actually convene that tripartite committee.’’

Cue out audio 1 (Ozo-Eson)

Ozo-Eson said that it was high time government convened the meeting by appointing a chairman with equal representatives from government, labour and private employers.

He said that it was only then that government, labour and private employers would begin the discussion of the proposed new minimum wage.

He recalled that the present minimum wage of N18,000 came out of such tripartite arrangement under Justice Alfa Belgore’s committee.

Cue in audio 2 (Ozo-Eson)

“Certainly, (the review) is already overstretched based on the underlining principle of understanding that the minimum wage ought to be reviewed after five years.

“So, it is clearly overdue for review and we think that there is urgency apart from the fact that the five years have passed.

“Today, N18,000 means nothing at all; cost of living has been going up and we know that N18,000 does not buy anything, just food alone today.

“So, the underlining parameters clearly require that we do a review and do such a review urgently.’’

Cue out audio 2 (Ozo-Eson) (NAN)

JAN/NKO/NKO/YEE
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Ozo-Eson’s audio 1

Ozo-Eson’s audio 2

NAN-H-95
Demolition
By Muhammad Baba Busu
Lafia, Nov 8, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa on Tuesday ordered the demolition of illegal structures on the access roads in Karu, Mararaba and Masaka.

Al-makura gave the order on Tuesday when he visited the Kugbo- Koroduma Government Junior Secondary School, Karu Local Government Area of the state to access the level of encroachment on government’s land.

According to him, government will not hesitate to pull down structures erected on access roads in these areas to free flow of traffic on the highway.

The governor said that the owners of such structures would be made to pay for the expenses incurred to demolish the structure.

He also directed the officials of Nasarawa Urban Development Board NUDB to carry out a census of structures built on the roads and those that encroached on the government reserve areas.

Al-makura stressed that those in the habit of erecting structures without proper government approval would be penalised.

He said that government would ensure that structures, especially in Karu, which is the corridor to the Federal Capital Territory, are carried out according to specifications.

He, however, advised those living in the affected areas to report to the appropriate authorities. (NAN)
BAB/EAL/AFA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-98

Transformation

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Oct. 8, 2016 (NAN) Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications on Tuesday called on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)  Centre of Excellence Network (CoEs) to drive the Africa digital transformation.

Shittu made the call in Abuja at the opening of the 3^rd Steering Committee Meeting of ITU’s CoE’s Network for Africa.

He said there was urgent need to mainstream the digital economy of Africa to reap from the new digital world that is ever transforming.

“I believe that these centres of excellence must champion the transformation and the Federal Ministry of Communications is proud that Nigeria is represented on ITU Africa Network of Excellence by our Digital Bridge Institute.

“I look forward to receiving the proceedings of your meetings and assure you that the ministry will provide the required support to realise the laudable objectives of the centre of excellence.

“In the next three days, I encourage you to engage in discussions that will advance the growth and development of Africa and its citizens, particularly using telecommunications.

Prof Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a growth enabler was no longer debatable.

“Evidence abound in developed economies that ICT is the biggest driver that African countries can harness.

“There are massive opportunities of the digital era; Africa needs to consciously invest not only in ICT infrastructure but also in developing the requisite knowledge and skills through capacity building.

“I have no doubt that the centres of excellence are uniquely positioned to lead bold initiatives to transform the landscape of ICT on the continent through training and development as well as research.”

The NCC boss assured the ITU Africa Regional Office and the Africa Network that the commission would proudly support and, where possible, champion processes that would lead to the implementation taken by delegates.

Earlier, the ITU representative, Mr Marcelino Tayob, said ICT was a key enabler for the development of nations adding that human capacity was also the key to realising the vision of African leaders.

Tayob said it was therefore important that priority be given to ICT sector and human capacity.

Mr Ikechukwu Adinde, the Administrator of the Digital Bridge Institute, said the first two meetings held in South Africa in 2014 and Mauritius in December 2015 were very productive.

Adinde said that at the meeting in Mauritius, it was agreed that time had come for ICT capacity building to be given a focal place in the affairs of the African economy.

He said that while a lot of investments were being made to build infrastructure, little attention had been paid to capacity building.

“It is our position in the centres of excellence that attention should be given to building capacity.

“We have converged again to review performance in the current year and to raise a new agenda on common interest for the CoEs particularly capacity building of the ICT sector for the African economy. (NAN)
COA/HAS/IEA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-S-15

Competitions

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) A cross section of stakeholders in basketball have called on the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) to organise more competitions for the development of the sport at the grassroots.

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to them, lack of competitions is a major challenge in growing young basketball players.

Ken Mfon, Coach of Impression Basketball Academy of Asaba , told NAN that apart from the Milo Championship, there was no other championship for the youths.

“The Division One and Two is not enough, because aside the Milo competition there is no other competition. This is not good for the game.

“The NBBF and the state governments should organise competitions. We can have NBBF President Cup, Governors Cup and other competitions that will keep the kids active.

“There should be nothing less than five to six competitions in a year before the Division one and two competition. This will prepare the athletes adequately for the league,’’ he said.

Steve Onisela, Coach of Harmony Blazers Basketball of Kwara, called on the NBBF to expand the league to have a division three, adding that division one and two were not enough for the growth of the game.

“There is need to have more competitions as the Milo competition alone is not helping the players.

“They play the Milo competition and wait to get promoted or selected to take part in the DSTV Basketball.

“This takes a long time and it does not give players opportunity to showcase their potential,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ajibarede Bello, NBBF’s Technical Commissioner, said that lack of fund hindered the federation from organising competitions.

He said that the federation hardly got sponsors for its programmes, hence the lack of competitions.

Bello called on corporate bodies to support the game through sponsorship, which could come in any form. (NAN)

DE/DOE/SOA
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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-HE-26
Business
By Alex Anayo Enebeli
Enugu, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Government has approved the establishment of a one-stop investment center for business promotion and sustainability.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi announced the plan in Enugu on Tuesday during the presentation of the Enugu Business Agenda by the Coalition of Business and Professional Association (ECOBPA) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).

Ugwuanyi said that agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, customs, immigration, ministry of land and Nigeria Investment Promotion Council would be brought under one roof to minimise the hardship in doing business.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Nwobodo, noted that such engagement would help to promote, sustain and coordinate various business activities in the state.

He said that it would also boost the internally-generated revenue of the state and the diversification of the economy.

Ugwuanyi announced that from next year, the government would reform its tax and traffic laws to create a friendly environment for businesses to thrive.

While commending the coalition on the business agenda, the governor promised to partner with it to implement some of its recommendations.

Earlier, the Project Consultant of CIPE, USA, Mr Matthew Kalu, presented eight critical business issues that affected the business environment in the state as well as recommendations for consideration and implementation by the government.

Kalu listed some of the areas to include indiscriminate clamping of vehicles without provision of motor parks, abuse by the state waste management agency and high cost of commercial rents.

They also include difficulty in acquiring certificates of occupancy, multiple taxation, security challenges and extortion for fertiliser procurement.

Kalu urged the government to implement its recommendations, pointing out that until the problems were tackled, doing businesses in the state would not thrive.

The Chairman of the occasion and Chief Executive Officer of Auto Star Ltd, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, urged the government to encourage local investors by granting tax exemptions to those that employed more than 10 workers.

In his remark, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Pastor Ugo Chime, said that ECOBPA was set up by the chamber to bring businesses and professionals together to improve the environment for investors. (NAN)
AAE/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

Ministry of Defence to begin metering, rehabilitation of barracks

By Muhyideen Jimoh
‎
NAN-DS-9
Metering
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Defence, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, has said that the ministry will commence the zonal metering of all barracks in the country in 2017.

Dan-Ali disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the oversight visit of the Senate Committee on Defence to the ministry.

He said that the metering project was part of the rehabilitation of all barracks in the country and the need to avoid debts.

“In our efforts to continuously ensure transparency, my Ministry intends to commence the metering of our barracks from 2017 on zonal basis,

“As usual, I want to count on the support of this distinguished Committee to ensure that the project becomes a reality,” he said.

The minister who gave a breakdown of the Ministry’s 2016 budget performance report, said that projects on barrack rehabilitation in the six zones of the Federation had been advertised.

He said that 18 other projects had been advertised while three ongoing projects were at various levels of execution.

Dan-Ali noted that N28.9 billion was appropriated for the ministry in the 2016 budget with 96 per cent of overhead and 71 percent capital released as at Oct. 31.

He, however, lamented the late release of funds and low overhead cost, which he said was a major challenge facing the ministry in carrying out its mandate.

He appealed to the National Assembly for more funding for the ministry to enable it to execute numerous projects.

He said some of the priority projects‎ include; barracks rehabilitation, establishment of Military Industrial Complex, procurement of Military hardware and payment of outstanding debts.

Earlier, Chairman Senate‎ Committee Chairman on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawal, commended the ministry for the improved security in the North-East and Nigeria.

He said that the visit was meant to monitor the implementation of the budget for the ministry and challenges being encountered.

He stressed the need for peace and security for any meaningful development to take place in the country.

The Chairman also emphasised the need for the Committee to be furnished with details of all ongoing projects and budget implementation performance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Committee is expected to visit other Defence formations as part of its oversight functions.(NAN)
MUYI/AMY/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf
‎

Agunloye promises to pay outstanding workers` salaries if elected

NAN-H-
Workers
By Ayodeji Alabi
Akure, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Dr Olu Agunloye, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Ondo State governorship candidate for the Nov. 26 election,  has promised to pay all arrears of salaries and pensions in the state if elected.

Agunloye gave the assurance during a campaign rally organised by SDP at the Democracy Park in Akure on Tuesday.

He said an enabling environment would be created while roads, electricity and water would be fixed and made available to each local government.

“All good programmes of the past administrations would be keyed into.

“We will put food on the table for our people while dead industries would be revived and ones sold will be retrieved.

“Outstanding wages, pensions and gratuity will be paid, “ he said.

Also, the SDP National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, said training of youths and their empowerment would be given priority if the party`s candidate wins the election.

He said all opposition parties would be involved in a stakeholders`consultation forum intended to imbibe a spirit of togetherness.

Similarly, Mr Korede Duyile, SDP Chairman in Ondo State, said the candidate is a unique person who wouldn’t deceive the people.

“He is an achiever and has done so much for Ondo State even during his tenure as a minister.

“He has never soiled his name and his integrity, we need a change and we have no doubt he will be elected, “ he said. (NAN)
AYO/MOL/
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi.
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