Blog

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

FG distributes relief materials, food items to IDPs in Bauchi
NAN-HG-7
IDPs
Bauchi, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government on Tuesday distributed relief materials to more than one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bauchi State.

Presenting the items, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, said that the action was to support the affected citizenry.

Alhassan said that the action would reduce the socio-economic hardship of the IDPs.

She expressed concern over the plight of the IDPs especially living behind a place where you call home to a new environment.

Some of the relief materials include 600 bags of rice, 300 bags of maize, 500 cartons of Omo, 500 pairs of slippers, 500 plates and 500 buckets.

Others were 300 bags of beans, 1000 blankets, 500 mats, 500 mattresses and 500 plates.

Alhassan urged the IDPs to enrol their children in basic education for continuity, retention and completion to take effect.

Earlier speaking, the Wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar, described the visit of the minister as a milestone towards improving the lives of the IDPs.

She said that plans were in the pipeline to commence an empowerment programme that would lift the economic status of the IDPs in the state.

Abubkar urged officials in charge of distributing the materials to conduct the exercise with fear of God.

Also, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Asabe Hamma, said that statistics has revealed that 5,955 out of the 9,998 households of the IDPs were women and child.

The Leader of the IDPs in the state, Malam Buba Shehu, commended the federal government initiative of supporting them with relief materials.

He said that despite country’s economic recession, IDPs were given priority and provided with some items to reduce the hardship.

He expressed gratitude to the minister for taken into cognizance women folks as vulnerable that need all support especially as victims of insurgency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bauchi state has more than one million IDPs across the 20 local government areas in the state. (NAN)

AE/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-8
Shares
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian equity market on Tuesday depreciated further with the market capitalisation losing N180 billion due to persistent profit taking embarked upon by investors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that market capitalisation lost N180 billion or 1.95 per cent to close at N9.075 trillion against N9.255 trillion recorded on Monday following massive losses by blue chip equities.

Similarly, the All-Share Index which opened at 26,887.54 lost 523.27 points or 1.95 per cent to close at 26,364.27.

NAN reports that the weak sentiments of investors forced Dangote Cement to shed N8.42 to close at N184.01 per share.

Forte Oil came second with a loss of N5.98 to close at N113.72, while Lafarge Africa dropped N2.74 to close at N52.14 per share.

Okomu Oil was down by N2.30 to close at N44.70, while UACN depreciated by 93k to close at N17.67 per share.

On the other hand, Guinness led the gainers’ table gaining N2.50 to close at N88.50 per share.

Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of N2 to close at N144 and CAP appreciated by N1.62 to close at N34.02 per share.

Glaxosmithkline improved by 75k to close at N15.75 and Eterna Oil gained 14k to close at N3.36 per share.

NAN reports that in spite of the drop in market indicators, the volume of shares traded closed higher with a total of 189.01 million shares valued at N1.60 billion exchanged in 3,434 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 115.04 million shares worth N1.16 billion traded in 2,963 deals on Monday.

Chams topped the activity chart with 40.10 million shares valued at N20.05 million.

It was followed by United Bank for Africa trading 28.61 million shares worth N122.84 million and Transcorp sold 18.05 million shares valued at N16.08 million.

Guaranty Trust Bank accounted for 16.75 million shares worth N359.85 million, while Zenith Bank exchanged 14.12 million shares valued at N207.74 million. (NAN)
JNC/FF/GOK
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-AE-8
Cocoa
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusu, says African leaders must fight the injustice in the determination of the price of cocoa by western countries.

Ogunwusi gave the advice on Tuesday during the first Regional Cocoa Symposium organised by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the symposium was “ Next Generation of Cocoa Research for West and Central Africa.’’

According to the monarch , Africa contributes 70 per cent of cocoa for global consumption while the price is being determined by western countries.

“We should bridge the gap of disparity and work together as a global village to correct this.

“African countries can team up together and decide they do not want to sell cocoa until they are being carried along in determining its price.

“ Farmers must be carried along because without them there cannot be a price to fix.

“Farmers work round the clock nurturing cocoa for the entire world to utilise the product of their sweat and should be able to make enough gain when Africa controls the price,’’ he said.

In his contribution, Dr Olayiwola Olubamiwa, Acting Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN),Ibadan, said cocoa consumption had attained an enormous peak in the world.

Olubamiwa said that there were fears that cocoa supply would not be sufficient to meet demand in the near future.

“ We have to come up with the strategies that will ensure sustainable cocoa production for the benefit of all and sundry,’’ he said.

Olubamiwa said that there was need to review policies and develop new strategies to address the challenges faced by the cocoa industry and research institutes involved in cocoa production.

Dr Anna Muyiwa, President of African Cocoa Breeders Working Group ( ACBWG), said efforts had been made on cocoa germ plasm conservation and utilisation across the region.

Muyiwa said that this was intended to improve key phenotypic traits of importance and control in diseases affecting cocoa.

“ I am confident that the deliberations to be held during this symposium will lead to important technical conclusions needed in going forward on the next generation research needed for cocoa sustainability in the region,’’ she said.

In his contribution, Dr Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Partnership for Delivery, IITA, said that the aim of the symposium was to deliberate on ways to improve cocoa production and address its challenges.

Dashiell said that   IITA would not relent on its role in conducting research to improve the production of cocoa and other crops in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general.

“High quality materials with new genotype and improved cropping system that can increase yield in quality of cocoa and improve disease control would be given priority,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the symposium was attended by representatives of the World Cocoa Foundation, Africa Development Bank,OLAM, MARS, cocoa farmers and captains of industries. (NAN)
SYS/GOM/OJO
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-HE-24

Refinery

Dangote refinery begins operation in  2018

Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 ( NAN) Dangote Group said its 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery currently under construction in Lagos would come on stream by the end of 2018.

Alhaji Ahmed Mansur , the group’s Executive Director, Stakeholders’ Relations/Corporate Communications, announced this during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said this would ultimately end fuel importation.

He said the refinery’s daily production capacity would be 150 per cent of the current total demand of petroleum products in the country, saying that the excess would be exported to other countries.

Mansur said a 1.3 million metric tonnes per annum petrochemical plant was also under construction at the refinery site in Lekki area of Lagos .

In addition , he said that a fertilser company with capacity to produce 2.8 million metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers was also being added to help the country to achieve food security.

Mansur disclosed that the company had also diversified into gas business as it had started constructing a gas pipeline from the South East to Lagos.

He said that the gas plant, when completed, would have the capacity to produce three million standard cubic metres of gas per annum.

The executive director said the project would help the country to record appreciable improvement in power and manufacturing sectors.

According to him, the company’s huge investment in the oil and gas sector will impact positively in the economy, especially in the areas of employment and preservation of foreign exchange . (NAN)
KKA/IA
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By Jacinta Nwachukwu and Donald Ugwu

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Gaps
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo  on Tuesday identified training methods for reading and writing as well as the quality of teacher education as the bane of education.

Osinbajo said this in his address to the Annual  Education Conference with the theme“Learning Opportunities for All – The Critical Role of Teachers’’, in Abuja.

He recommended investment in technology and new methods of teaching that could accelerate teaching, reading and writing as the best way to address the challenges.

Cue in audio 1 (Osinbajo)

“There are available methods today that can accelerate teaching, reading and writing.

“But the reason that they are not available in the public schools is because we are not investing enough; not just in technology but in new methods and ensuring that those children in public schools have access to some of the better methods of reading and writing.

“It is my respectful view that it is the responsibility of those of us who are educationists to think through the solutions for delivering relevant education with the very little resources available.’’

Cue out audio 1 (Osinbajo)

The vice president, however, said there was hope as the use of appropriate technology could close the education gap between the children of the rich and the poor.

Cue in audio 2 (Osinbajo)

“I strongly believe that the fastest way to bridge the gap between those who can afford the quality of education and those who cannot is technology.

“Technology also provides the means to leapfrog the huge knowledge gap created daily between the hemispheric North and South.

“Fortunately, technology is becoming cheaper and more intuitive.

“It is therefore, quite clear that teacher education itself must radically change; teacher training must be technology-driven.

“I also think that a teacher must be trained in a much wider curriculum.

“A teacher must be trained in employability skills, project management, financial management and entrepreneurial skills and technology skills even programming for those who are interested.

“Training this new generation of young people is a new challenge.

“Today, we are training individuals who must learn to multi-task and compete in the global society.

“The best jobs will require complex skill; the good news is that this type of training is available and can be made much cheaper and more available.’’

Cue out audio 2 (Osinbajo)

The vice president expressed the hope that the conference would provide the platform for the partcipants to to engage in vigorous debate on some of the important issues affecting the future of education in the country.

According to him, the future of the country depends on education, adding that a lot of issues needed to be resolved, including the ideological underpinning of Education for All.

“Education is a tool of empowerment; the lack, or inadequacy of it can also disempower; so, education can create or deepen inequality in the society.

He said such could create a well-educated few with access to best opportunities and others who are simply not qualified enough to take advantage of the best opportunities.

He also noted the huge disparity between the quality of public education at primary and secondary levels and what obtained in private schools in the country, adding that it should be stopped.

According to him there is segregation in Nigerian schools based on the income and the standard of education of parents.

He said it was important to engage in technology in public schools to bring the quality to the standard in private schools.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, in his speech, said that the ministry was interested in ensuring that the teaching profession was not a dumping ground for unqualified people.

Adamu said that the low quality of entrance into the profession would be addressed while training institutions would be made to match the demand and supply.

He also said efforts were being made to improve the welfare and incentives for teachers as well as ensure adequate professional development for them.

He said quality education was a right of the citizens, adding that children in disadvantaged and conflict zones must be captured in the provision of quality and inclusive education for all.

In his lead paper on the conference theme, Prof. Kwame Akyeampong of University of Sussex, United Kingdom, said that Nigeria had a wide gap to fill in the global education map.

Akyeampong, however added that the country had increasing learning opportunities while teachers should close the wide gaps for the development of the country.

He noted that 38 per cent of Nigerian school children were not learning the basics in education, which in turn, affected the quality of professionals and teachers in the society.

He underscored the need to produce teachers who could bridge the cultural and religious gaps in the country and advised the administration to improve the learning opportunities for the less privileged.

The don further recommended the adoption of a three part strategy of improving the quality of teaching as well as developing coherent, systematic approach to managing teachers effectively.

He also suggested the training of teachers who could help to rebuild education services in emergencies.(NAN)
JIN/DCU/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Osinbajo’s audio 1 on education

Osinbajo’s audio 2 on methodology

NAN-ELS-6
Fashion
By Vezi Isike
Lagos, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Jacob Omadhebor, a member of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), has lauded the creativity and innovation of grassroots designers across the country.

Omadhebor made the commendation in Lagos on Tuesday during a media briefing on the forthcoming Ajegunle Fashion and Design Week 2016 in Lagos.

The fashion designer, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, F. Jay Clothings, however, said
branding of products was still a problem.

He said the Nigerian fashion industry lacked potential investors who could rebrand and take the industry to the next level.

He added that “grassroots designers have proven to be a force to reckon with in the quality and style they showcase in their collections.

“However, the lack of resources is a major challenge in putting their professional touch to package a befitting brand.”

Another fashion designer, Tochi Nwonu, the CEO of Tee-Signature Fashion and Style Academy, then
called on FADAN to enact rules that would help to bridge the gap between experts and amateurs to further strengthen the growth of the sector.

He said “we are getting a whole lot of support but I am sure that we can stand on our own if the basics needed by amateur designers are dealt with.

“It is almost a no go area for us to think of using foreign fabrics for our designs because it is clear that our economy will not allow us to do that.

“If we tag along and are allowed to relate with experts, it will go a long way in sorting out these challenges.”

Meanwhile, the second edition of the Ajegunle Fashion and Design Week will hold from Nov. 24
to Nov. 26 in Ajegunle, Lagos State.

The event is intended to facilitate interactions with key players from the African and International Fashion Industry to create sustainable change in the sector. (NAN)
VOI/MNA/HA
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-92

Departure

Benin, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammad Buhari on Tuesday afternoon departed for Abuja from Benin Airport after his two-day official visit to Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the President’s  aircraft, a Nigerian Air Force plane, with the registration number 5N-FGT, was airborne at 1.45 p.m.

The President had arrived at the airport from Iyamoh, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, in a Nigeria Air Force helicopter, in the company of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo at 1.30 p.m.

NAN reports that President Buhari was in the company of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who both arrived from Iyamoh in the same helicopter.

At the airport, the President was received by a guard of honour mounted by officers of both the Nigerian Air force and the Army.

NAN reports that there was heavy security presence provided by the Army, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), within and outside the precinct of the Benin airport before the President’s arrival.

The President, while in Iyamoh,  inaugurated the new Edo State University.

NAN recalls that the President had arrived in Benin City, Edo on Monday to inaugurate  some projects executed by the outgoing Adams Oshiomhole-led government.

Other projects inaugurated by President Buhari included  the new 200-bed  Central Hospital, Siloko and the East-End Circular road project as well as the Queen Ede Erosion control project.

The President also, during the visit, paid a courtesy visit to the new Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II. (NAN)
ESI/HAS/YAZ
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-89
Appeal
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Court of Appeal, Lagos on Tuesday, reserved judgement in an appeal by former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola, challenging revocation of the Bank’s license by the CBN.

Akingbola is praying the appellate court to set aside the earlier ruling of a Federal High Court, which dismissed his suit, challenging the planned sale of Intercontinental Bank to Access Bank.

He wants the appellate court to restrain CBN from withdrawing Intercontinental’s inter-bank guaranty, pending the determination of the appeal.

Justice Okechuwku Okeke of the lower court, had dismissed a suit by Akingbola and a former executive director of Intercontinental Bank, Mr Bayo Dada.

The suit was challenging a Memorandum of Understanding, for business combination signed by their former bank and Access Bank.

Dissatisfied, Akingbola and Dada appealed  and insisted that CBN was wrong to have masterminded the signing of the said MoU without recourse to them as shareholders and former directors.

Arguing the appeal on Tuesday, counsel to Akingbola, Mr Onyebuchi Aniakor, urged the appellate court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgement of the lower court.

The appellants in their amended Notice of Appeal  contended that the lower court erred in law when it adjudged the suit as an abuse of court process.

The appellants insisted that Justice Okeke made fundamental error in concluding that the letter in which Dada was removed as director, was not tendered, adding that the action occasioned substantial prejudice to them.

He urged the court to hold that given the provision of section 36 of the 1999 constitution, the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria or any other body cannot validly direct the appellants to cease to serve as directors of the bank.

The appellants urged the court to order the respondents jointly and severally to render account of their dealings in the affairs of the Bank.

They also urged the court to nullify all steps,  decisions taken by the respondents in the affairs of the Bank from August 14, 2009 till date.

After listening to parties in the matter, the 3-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garuba, reserved its judgement.

The lower court had held  that the suit was an abuse of court process, as there was a similar suit by other interested parties on the same subject matter.

The lower court also held that the suit was status barred, as the suit was challenging an action carried out as far back as August 14, 2009, when Sanusi removed some bank chiefs.

Meanwhile, the appellate court has reserved judgment till a date that will be communicated to parties. (NAN)
UNS/YAZ
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Edited by Yusuf Zango

Successive govt will build on legacy, says Oshiomhole

NAN-H-

Edo

Benin, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo has said the achievements recorded by his eight years have placed the state on a good pedestal that every successive government of the state would continue to build on.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Oshiomhole stated this on Tuesday while fielding questions from newsmen at Benin Airport after seeing off President Muhammad Buhari who was in the state for a two-day official visit.

Oshiomhole who will bow out  as the Governor  on Saturday after his two terms of four years each, said “Edo can never be the same again” with the developmental strides recorded by his government.

The former labour leader noted that before his assumption of office on November 12, 2008, the “Godfathers” had held the state hostage and described it as not viable.

The governor said  that he was able to succeed because he came in with a clear vision to work and also free the state from those who had held the state as their private properties.

He said  that the achievement of his government had not only put the “Godfathers” out of business, but also consolidated the position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the number one party in the state.

According to him, “I came in with a clear vision to work. Like I discussed with Chief John Odigie-Oyegun then, there were two forces in the state.

“We had the forces that were responsible for the status quo and who are benefiting from it and the majority of the people who are victims of that order.

“And that if all those who are dissatisfied in the way in which our state had been compromised, it’s resources privatized,  we all need to work together to overthrow that order.

“Today, we have overthrown that order, whether the Godfathers agreed or not, they are not only down, they are out as well.

“In Edo, we have two traditions of burial,the first and the final burial. I think in this case, we have done three burials. The first in 2008 through the court to reclaim our mandate that was stolen.

“The general burial in 2012, and because of their age, we gave them additional ceremony which is the final funeral and that was celebrated on September 28, 2016.

“As I keep saying, that is the only election in South South where ballots and not human blood, the ink and not blood, with PVC, people voted to affirm their rejection of the PDP and their confidence in our party by the victory of Godwin Obaseki.

“The people have spoken of course. Who else is standing other than the APC. I believed God has done that, not by our might, because, he sees our heart.

“All the roads the President drove through in his first day of visit were done by the APC government, none was done by the PDP.

“I am happy that we have supervised the burial of the Godfathers, they are out and there is nothing they can do about it.

“God has used us as instrument of change in the state. No part of the country ought to have been held hostage the way our state (Edo) was criminally held hostage by these Godfathers.

“This is not about me (Oshiomhole) or Oyegun, but our people, it is about our state. Edo can never be the same again.

“I am glad that God has used us to re-order the political environment and if a factory worker like me can be a governor, then you can be as well.”

Oshiomhole said he and the people of Edo remained eternally grateful to President Buhari for not only visiting the state, but spending two consecutive says in the state.

NAN reports that the President during the visit, inaugurated a number of projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Among the projects inaugurated were the new 200-bed space central hospital in Benin, the new Edo University in Iyamoh, erosion control project as well as road projects.

NAN reports that the President departed  Benin for Abuja at about 1:45 pm on Tuesday. (NAN)
ESI/
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NAN-H-85
Custody
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin. Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) An Ilorin Area Court on Tuesday granted custody of a three-year-old girl to her mother after both parents were separated.

The plaintiff, Fatimah Abubakar, had begged the court to grant her custody of her daughter after the dissolution of her marriage to Abubakar Aroni.

The plaintiff said her daughter had been with her husband since their marriage was dissolved in October.

She said the marriage was dissolved last month due to lack of care and interest by her husband.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr Abdulquadr Ibrahim, granted the woman the child’s custody but ordered the husband to give her N5,000 monthly for the child’s upkeep amidst other responsibilities. (NAN)
BAY/OIF/MVO
(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Mbadiwe Okwor)