Blog

Canada committed to assist Nigeria end terrorism, says Envoy

NAN-F-6

Support

Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) Canada has expressed its commitment to support the Federal Government initiatives aimed at addressing the security challenges in the North East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta regions.

The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Stephane Dion, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the end of the fifth meeting of the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission.

The Nigerian delegation at the meeting was led by Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and the Permanent Secretary, Amb. Olushola Enikanolaye.

Dion, while acknowledging the sustained efforts of the Nigerian Government in its fight against insurgency and in countering violent extremisms, said Canada was committed to Nigeria’s peaceful co existence .

He expressed Canada’s commitment to provide timely humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons based on humanitarian principles and to also encourage effective rehabilitation, reintegration and reconstruction.

The envoy commended and acknowledged the positive progress made by the federal government in its fight against corruption and expressed his country’s readiness to collaborate and support Nigeria’s anti corruption efforts.

He said that Canada welcomed Nigeria’s readiness to launch its national campaign to end child marriage by the end of 2016, including women empowerment and education for girl.

According to him, Canada will continue to support and strengthen Nigeria’s primary health systems to help to ensure reproductive health and rights of women and girls, and promote maternal and child survival.

He said Canada looked forward to the ratification of the Foreign Investment Promotion And Protection Agreement (FIPA) by Nigeria.

This, he said, would  be an important step in progressive trade agenda that would benefit Nigeria’s growing middle class.

At the meeting the two countries expressed their commitment to collaborate on migration issues in order to generate greater opportunities for trade and investments and the facilitation of socio-economic activities between Nigeria and Canada.

The two countries stressed the need for  a Memorandum of Understanding on the return and re-admission on persons out of status.

The delegations agreed that Nigeria and Canada would continue to collaborate on identified issues of mutual interest and work together to address any challenge that arise via the monitoring and evaluation meeting.

Onyeama at the meeting expressed profound gratitude for the 18 million dollars initially offered to Nigeria  by Canada to ameliorate the suffering of the people in the North East.

The minister also commended the Canadian Government on the 19.9 million Canadian dollars also initially provided for polio eradication and immunisation process in Nigeria.

While stressing that Nigeria faced environment challenge, Onyeama expressed optimism that  hundred billion dollars promised for the developing countries in addressing the challenge would materialise. (NAN)

IAA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-ELS-5
Tourism
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) said
the country’s tourism sector possessed the potential to replace oil as source of revenue generation.

The President of FTAN, Chief Tomi Akingbogun, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said most of the country’s potential had not been tapped, stressing that “if you travel round Nigeria, you will discover that a lot of tourism potential have not been touched.

“And these untapped potential deprive the country of getting the revenue oher countries
generate from tourism.

“With the recent Tourism Summit, I believe this administration is in the right direction to take the sector to another level.”

The FTAN president said there were countries that do not have oil but were doing well due to
the way their tourism sector was packaged to attract tourists from other countries.

He reiterated the need for government at all levels to actively participate in taking the sector to the next level by marketing their preferred destinations to tourists.

He added that “some years back, the Supreme Court ruled that state governments have the the right and power to venture into tourism.

“But many states in the country are yet to capitalise on the ruling to venture into the tourism business.

“Most of them are waiting for monthly federal allocation from Abuja; if they go into tourism and make their tourist sites attractive, they would make a lot of money.

“I think if local, state and Federal Government embark on tourism development and are committed, then relying on oil for revenue will just be an addition to the revenue of the country.”

Akingbogun said that FTAN as a private sector was open to collaboration with government
at all levels to ensure that the sector became a huge revenue collector for the country. (NAN)
CMY/HA
========
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Israel says ‘no’ to Middle East peace conference in Paris

NAN-F-5

Conference

Jerusalem, Nov. 7, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Israel on Monday formally rejected France’s invitation to take part in a Middle East peace conference in Paris later this year, saying it is a distraction from the goal of direct negotiations with the Palestinians.

This followed a meeting between Israel’s Acting National Security Adviser and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Diplomatic Adviser with French envoy Pierre Vimont.

Netanyahu said in a statement that “during the meeting, Vimont was informed that Israel wanted nothing to do with the effort to revive talks that last broke down in 2014.

“We told  him in clear and unequivocal manner that Israel’s position to promote the peace process and reach an agreement will only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority,’’ the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from Vimont, but the French foreign ministry said it still planned to hold the conference before the end of the year.

France has repeatedly tried to breathe new life into the peace process within the year.

It held a preliminary conference in June where the UN, EU, U.S. and major Arab countries gathered to discuss proposals without the Israelis or Palestinians present.

The plan was to hold a follow-up conference before year-end with the Israelis and Palestinians involved and see whether the two sides could be brought back to negotiations.

As at 2015, U.S.-backed talks ended in failure in April 2014; however, the Palestinians have agreed to attend the Paris conference if it goes ahead.

Israel, which regards the U.S. as the chief broker in the Middle East, has long maintained that only direct negotiations with the Palestinians can lead to peace.

It sees France’s efforts as a diversion. (Reuters/NAN)

OYE/MST/MST

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-27
Infrastructure
By Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse, Nov 7, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, says the state is paying salaries in spite of the huge liabilities he inherited from his predecessor.

He said that in spite of the economic recession, he was able to garner resources to be paying salaries, meet pension commitmetments and embark on development of infrastructure.

Badaru said this while inaugurating a road project in Dutse on Monday.

He said that all he was doing was through prudence and transparency with the meagre resources in the government’s purse.

The governor said he would not embark on white elephant projects even if he had enough resources.

Baharu said that he would embark on projects that would be completed during his tenure and which would have direct effects to the life of the people.

He said that all his programmes would be pursued in line with his campaign promises to the masses.

“We shall continue to do this in our resolve to open up new frontiers of trade and commerce especially with the new agriculture policy in the state,” he said. (NAN)
AIS/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-ELS-9
Office
By Justina David Auta
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) Some workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday
gave varying reasons why romantic relationships between colleagues within same organisation should be discouraged.

The workers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that relationships between colleagues would reduce the productivity of the persons involved.

However, some others were of the opinion that rather than reduce the output of the persons
involved, it would increase their performance and would be beneficial to organisations.

Mr Gabriel Idoko, a civil servant, said the office environment was not a conducive environment for
any romantic relationship as it would affect the performance of the persons involved negatively.

He added that “office environment should be strictly for work and any relationship that emanates from there should be cordial relationship between colleagues.

“When people start engaging in romantic relationships in a working environment, it would definitely affect their performance because whenever they have unresolved issues, they might transfer the anger to inappropriate persons in the office.”

He explained that there were instances where relationships between colleagues went sour which
led to embarrassing behaviour by couples within the office environment.

“There have been instances where some of these couples transfer their unresolved problems to the office, leading to fight and quarrel in the office.”

Also, Mrs Cecilia Sunday, a civil servant, said relationships between colleagues should be devoid of any romance so as to avoid any unwanted sexual harassment.

Sunday said “relationships between workers should be simply platonic without any romantic feelings so as to avoid any case of unwanted sexual advances, molestation and even rape.’’

She recalled cases of romantic relationships that went bad among workers, which she said led to lawsuits and termination of appointments.

However, Mrs Hannatu Musa, a worker, said romantic relationships between colleagues could
improve their productivity, as well as be beneficial to the organisations where they work.

She said that the two could put heads together and work toward improving their job, “especially if they are married; they can discuss their job even when they are at home.”

Similarly, Mr Friday Olusegun, another civil servant in Abuja, said relationships between colleagues would not affect their performance, especially if they were stationed in different offices within the same organisation.

He said “there is no harm if colleagues get involved in a relationship, which I feel would not affect their input in the organisation, especially if stationed in different offices or departments within the same organisation.

“There are couples who work in same organisation and that has not affected their performance at work.” (NAN)
JAD/HA
=======
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-80

America

By Alex Anayo Enebeli

Enugu, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) Barely 24 hours to America’s presidential election, a cross section of Enugu residents have expressed support for the Democrat Presidential Candidate, Mrs Hillary Clinton.

All the respondents interviewed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that they supported Clinton because she was the best of the four contenders.

The South East/South- South Coordinator of the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Mrs Olachi Ronnie-Chuks, predicted that Clinton would win the election because of her antecedents as former Secretary of States.

“I am supporting Hillary Clinton because of her policy thrust and I know that she will win the election irrespective of her gender and the failed FBI email scandal.

“Clinton has shown that a woman can contest election based on capabilities and she does not beg for political and economic opportunities,’’ she said.

The coordinator urged Nigerian female politicians to borrow a leaf from Clinton’s character and political will.

A civil servant, Mr Mcdonald Odenigbo said he was sure that Clinton would come out victorious because of her experience and intelligence.

Odenigbo said that if Clinton won the election, Africans would benefit from her foreign policies.

A journalist, Mr Regis Anukwuoji predicted that the democrat would win the election because she defeated Trump thrice during the political debate.

“Trump is a joker and has nothing to offer America and the world at large. So I pray and hope that Hillary wins the presidential election,’’ he said.

The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Enugu State, Ifeoma Amuta said that Clinton would make history as the first female US president if she wins the election.

“Clinton has the pedigree to be the US president following her antecedents as a former Secretary of States, Senator and first lady.

“She did not achieve the feat because she is a woman but because of her self determination and love for her country,’’ she said.

Amuta said that women and Nigerians in general had a lot to learn from Clinton’s experience.

NAN reports that Americans will go to the polls on Nov. 8 to elect a new president to succeed Barak Obama. (NAN)

AAE/MNA/MO

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-72

Land

By Gabriel Agbeja

Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN) has appealed to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, to facilitate the release of lands designated for Mechanic Villages.

The National Chairman of the association, Mr sulaiman Oseni, made the request in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Oseni said the release of the lands would empower mechanics and technicians and enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the automobiles industry in particular and the economy in general.

 Cue in audio

“We want the government to support us with allocation of lands. It is very important for FCT and every other state.

“We want the governors of the states to cooperate in this area and the FCT minister too.

“We had a land that we paid for since 2010. It was allocated to us – about 164 plots. They never release it.

“We have the allocation letter, we know the site the land is. We have paid the statutory N100,000 fees, but the land has not been released to us upon all letters that had been written. That is just one case.

“So, we don’t have land to practice and we have been chased here and there, Mechanic are been seen under the trees working. That is not a responsible way of managing technical economy.
“There is no development that can be achieved in the automobile industry as it affects repair of vehicles if we don’t have permanent sites.

“The mechanic villages that are issued, for example for FCT; those are not enough.

“We have the one for Apo that was originally issued. It’s been taken over and they are now proposing Wasa land, but nobody knows the year that one is going to be ready.
“They have given Kugbo but that cannot contain up to 100 artisans. So we have challenges.“

Cue out audio

He further appealed to the six Area Council Chairmen in FCT to cooperate with the minister on the issue of land allocation for the building of mechanic villages in the council areas.

“By that we will contribute our quota better than what we are doing now to the development of the Nigerian economy,“ he said.

He urged Nigerians to patronise Nigerian mechanics rather than taking their vehicles to foreign companies for repairs.

“When you buy a made in Nigeria car, you should be ready to patronise made in Nigeria mechanics.

“You don’t have to take your vehicle to companies for repairs when the local mechanics are there,’’ he said.

He told NAN that MOMTAN has more than four million members across the six geo-political zones of the country, adding that no fewer than 10,000 of his members operate in FCT alone. (NAN) FGA/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

=====================

Oseni’s audio

NAN-AE-16

Environment

By Vivian Emoni

Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) Rep. Obi Chidoka, Chairman House Committee, on Environment and Habitation, says the committee is committed to ensuring that environmental laws and regulations are complied with by various organisations in Nigeria.

 Chidoka made this known at the 10^th National Stakeholders Forum tagged: “Air Quality: Aspects of Control and Regulation’’ organised by National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), on Monday in Abuja.

 He said that the challenges the environment created on human health are huge and complex because of its multifarious sources and the natural activities responsible for environmental pollution.

“According to him, we will continue to work closely with relevant ministries and agencies including NESREA to address the growing menace.

“We will also ensure that environmental laws and regulations are being complied with effectively by various organisations, this is the only way environmental hazards can be tackled,’’ he said.

According to him, the forum will help to address the challenges of air pollution in the country.

 Chidoka explained that air quality could be classified into good and poor air, adding that “the good air quality refers to clean and unpolluted air’’.

According to him, the poor air is that which occur when pollutants reach enough concentrations to endanger human health as well as the environment.

 He added that air quality could be improved if the environmental laws and regulations were effective in the country.

 Chidoka, however, advised NESREA to ensure an effective sensitisation on safety against air pollution.

 He also urged Nigerians to make effort to ensure that air quality improved in the society, adding that such commitment would tackle environmental menace.

Also, Sen. Buka Ibrahim, Senate Chairman Committee on Climate Change, said that the National Assembly intended to review all the legislation in the sectors to provide an analytical synthesis of development across the sectors.

 Ibrahim said that such sectors include agriculture, mining, forestry, energy, water, transport, among others.

“To improve air quality, we will put in place laws that will bring about the need to travel by car, shift travel to a more efficient mode and improve the energy efficiency of car travel.

 “Our committee is set to provide enabling legislation on the swift migration to renewable, bio-fuels and wind energy.

“When this happens on or before 2030, the quality of air will normalised, thereby, giving the people back their life and saving the numerous life we are wasting needlessly,’’ he said. (NAN)

VOE/MO
======

Edited by Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-79
Budget
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data initiative (ARDI), an NGO, has sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, seeking an interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution on appropriation.

The Executive Secretary of the organisation, Mr Dennis Aghanya, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday, that the action was instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, No: FHC/ABJ/CS/884/2016.

Aghanya, in the statement, said that the action became necessary to prevent the country from experiencing another delay in the passage of the 2017 budget.

He explained that the measure was in line with the mandate of ARDI in its efforts to strengthen the nation’s democracy and ensure transparent, accountable and responsive governance devoid of corruption in the society.

“As we are all aware, the budget has been an issue of contention between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.”

He said that a research on the nation’s budget experience from 1999 to date showed that most business activities suffered adversely due to the late passage of the budget.

He said that the attorney-general needed to make a declaration as to whether the National Assembly could unilaterally tinker with the budget without the consent of the Executive.

According to him, slow commencement of economic activities every year are usually linked to the late passage of the budget.

“The 2016 Budget presentation and its final approval processes were characterised  by bickering, leading to late passage of the budget.”

“Due to the delay in passing the 2016 budget, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), businesses, manufacturers, construction companies and most Nigerians in other sectors of the economy experienced serious economic challenges.’’

The Executive Secretary noted that the Nigerian economy suffers each time controversies arose concerning the budget. (NAN)
LIZ/NKO/NKO
===========

Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Oyo State Govt. awards N27.6bn contract for dualisation of roads

NAN-AE-15
Contract
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government has awarded contract for the dualisation of four roads across the state to various companies at the value of N27.6 billion.

The state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Wasiu Dauda, told newsmen in Ibadan on Monday that the government took the decision at its State Executive Council meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three of the roads are located in the Ibadan metropolis, while the fourth is located in Saki area of Oyo State.

Dauda said that the 11-kilometre Saki Township road from Oke-Ogun Polytechnic to Ilesa Baruba road had been awarded to Adold Engineering Development Company at a contract sum of N8.22 billion for a period of 18 months.

He said that the 7-kilometre road from Idi Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Odogbo barrack junction, including an overhead bridge across Lagos-Ibadan expressway to RCC Nigeria Limited at a sum of N7.2 billion for 18 months.

Dauda said the dualisation of 7.3-kilometre Agodi-Gate-Old Ife road-Adegbayi junction with limited rehabilitation of spur to 3- kilometre Alakia-Ibadan Airport, including an underpass bridge across Lagos-Ibadan expressway had been awarded.

He said that the road was awarded to Charvet Nigeria Limited at a contract sum of N8.5 billion for a period of 18 months.

The commissioner said that the expansion of the 3.2 kilometre Oke Adu Junction -Agodi Gate- Idi Ape -Iwo Road Interchange was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited at a contract sum of N3.6 billion for the duration of 12 months.

He disclosed that the government sourced money for the awarded road contracts from a Federal Government’s special intervention fund for infrastructure.

Also, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Isaac Omodewu, said that obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in the state now takes only 60 days with genuine and complete documents.

He urged the people to walk into the ministry to do the processing and should not pay any money to staff or agents, adding that the amount ranged from N100,000 to N150,000.

Omodewu said that government was ready to acquire all abandoned quarters and those not put to good use for rehabilitation into luxury properties to boost the state`s revenue.

He said that government had opened two new Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) along Lagos – Ibadan expressway, Oyo-Ibadan expressway and behind State High Court, Ring Road.

The commissioner urged anybody interested in the purchase of land in these areas to visit the ministry for more details. (NAN)
TAA/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
============================