Blog

NAN-H-95
Film
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) Institut du Francais is  committed  to enhance relationship between Nigeria and France Nigeria through animated film, Lea Granados, the Cultural Programme Officer of the institute in Nigeria, has said.

Granados made the statement in an interview with  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the on-going France, Japanese and Nigerian Animated Film Festival.

The festival, which opened on Wednesday and scheduled to end on Saturday, is the second edition to be held in Nigeria.

She said the aim of the festival was to expose France’s capabilities in the area of animated films being one of the strongest animated cinema industries in the world.

“We have a double aim, first is, the visibility of France because France has a very strong animated cinema industry and we have very good animation schools.

“We also have very good animated films we want to share across the globe but what is interesting here is that we are partnering with Japan.

“This is why today we are organising a night where we are going to be screening a few short animated films that have  won a lot of awards across the globe but  are not so famous in Nigeria.’’

She said the French embassy had also organised discussions to be led by only Nigerian experts and Nigerian animators.
“So the idea is to question the situation of animated film here in Nigeria and to put it in prospective,’’ she said.
Granados also explained that the animated film festival was a French festival which happened yearly in France at cinemas and its entire international network.
“Animated film festival normally is a French festival which happens every year in France but this time in cinemas all around the country.
“In all our international cultural networks, the institute du Francais and Alliance Francais organise this kind of events to foster the French cultures’’ she had explained.
(NAN)
ETIM/ASS/JCE
============

Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-92

Bridge

By Monday Ijeh

Loko (Nasarawa), Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), the contractor handling Loko-Oweto Bridge project, has assured that the project will be completed on schedule, if the Federal Government sustains funding.

Mr Egass Nassar, RCC project manager, gave the assurance on Friday in Loko, near Nasarawa, during an inspection visit  to the project site.

According to Nassar, the project, scheduled to be completed in 2018, is  currently 61 per cent completed.

He said that the cost of the project was reviewed upward from N36.1 billion  to N51.6 billon.

Nassar said that the project, awarded in 2011 with a completion period of 48 months, had been delayed due to changes in the project alignment.

He said that difficulty in transportation of equipment constituted a challenge in the execution of the project.

“The project is currently 61 per cent completed and with funding, we will complete the project in 2018 as scheduled.

“The present government has really shown commitment towards the execution of the project and on our part, we will ensure that it is completed in good time.”

According to him, with the completion of the project, travellers from the North to the eastern part of the country may not need to go through the Abuja-Lokoja road.

He further said that travellers from Abuja to the East could do a return trip the same day as the completion of the road would significantly shorten the distance.

Meanwhile, Mr Wasiu Taiwo, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and head of supervision team of the project, commended the contractor for doing quality work.

Taiwo said that the project had undergone all the needed tests and certified for the next stage.

He attributed the successes recorded in the execution of the project to the engagement of youths in the host communities —  Loko in Nasarawa and Oweto in Benue States. (NAN)

IMC/NKO/NKO

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

Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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

NAN-H-90

Road

Dutse, Nov 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa on Friday inaugurated a three km access road in Dutse metropolis constructed at the cost of N132.6 million.

Speaking at the occasion, Badaru said the completion of the road from Ibrahim Aliyu By-pass  to Mechanic Village would ease movement of traffic.

“Couple of months ago when I assumed office, I listened to the hues and cries of people over the deplorable condition of that road, where vehicles often break down, hence my decision to award contract for the construction of the road,” he said.

The governor said that with the construction of the road and its subsequent inauguration, the lamentations of the people would now become a thing of the past.

Badaru said that his administration had resolved to provide access roads to rural communities in the state and would not renege in fulfilling its promise to the people.(NAN)

AIS/ASS/ASH

NAN-H-88
Suspension
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Zonal Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Mr Timi Frank, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Frank’s suspension followed the recommendation of a five-man disciplinary committee.

The committee was set up by the party`s National Executive Committee (NEC) to investigate petition against Frank by a member of the party.

The committee also recommended to the party`s NEC that Frank should be expelled from the party.

Mr Hilliard Eta, Zonal Vice Chairman (South South) of the party, while adopting the committee’s report, told newsmen that Frank was suspended in line with article 1 (d) and (f) of the party`s constitution.

“In furtherance of satisfying the provisions of the constitution of the APC, I had to call for this emergency meeting of the zone.

“After very exhausting deliberation, the zone has arrived at the confirmation of the disciplinary committee’s report that Mr Timi Frank be suspended from the party forthwith.

“This is in line with article 1 (d) and (f), having been accepted by this house, he hereby stands suspended by this party.’’

Eta said the zonal committee would recommend to the party`s NEC that Frank should be expelled from the party in line with Article 21 D H (2 and 3) of its constitution.

He said that the committee was not hasty in suspending Frank as being claimed in some quarters.

According to him, the party’s constitution stipulates that petitions should be swiftly treated.

Asked if the party would reverse its decision should Frank apologise, Eta said that would only be considered if it was provided for in the party’s constitution.

He said that contrary to Frank’s claim that the party`s zonal executive committee lacked the constitutional power to prosecute him, the committee is backed by the party`s constitution to take such action.

“Timi Frank is a member of the NEC, a member of the ZEC and a member of Local Executive Committee and State Executive Committee and World Executive Committee.

“Any of these executive committees can look into petitions against any party member including myself.

“Our constitution is radically different from the constitutions of other parties that have preceded us.

“A lot of Nigerians assume that all political parties have the same constitution, ours is not the same as operated by others,’’ he said. (NAN)

EEM/AEA
========

Edited by Archibong Asuquo

Reps committee on communication begins annual retreat in Ibadan

NAN-H-87

Retreat
By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Communications begins three-day retreat on telecommunications in Ibadan, the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports.

Mr Saheed Fijabi (APC-Ibadan South-West) the Chairman of the committee disclosed this to newsmen on Friday when the committee members visited Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in his office.

NAN reports that the annual retreat, which will end on Sunday is co-hosted by the committee and Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).

He said that the three-day annual retreat would avail members the opportunity of brainstorming on how to move the telecommunication industry to enviable heights.

“This retreat will help our members to understand the real happenings in the telecommunication industry.

“It will help us brainstorm and think of how to harness its full potentials for the growth and development of the country.

“I hope we all can see that the telecoms industry is also embracing digital revolution,” he said.

Fijabi said that the telecommunication industry was a giant in the diversification project of the Federal Government, adding that it has contributed immensely to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, the committee hopes to come out of the retreat with broad understanding of the industry and a clear roadmap at increasing the industry’s revenue generating capacity. (NAN)
TAA/AK/AFA
Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Felix Ajide
============================

NAN-H-86

Economy

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Minister  of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that the nation’s economy can be diversified through the use of science and technology.

Onu said this on Friday at 14th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology in Osogbo.

He said there was an urgent need for the nation to diversify its economy from being a mere consumer to a producer economy.

The minister said the economic challenges facing the nation required that urgent action be taken to diversify the economy; in a sustainable and competitive manner through the use of science and technology.

According to him, no single nation in either ancient or modern time has ever become great without science and technology.

“A nation can be rich but certainly not by the mere possession of abundant natural resources.

“Egypt, surrounded by deserts, was able to use the water of River Nile to irrigate its land and grow sufficient food to sustain its population.

” The United Kingdom utilised the power of steam and production of iron and steel to build civilisation that exerted considerable influence in virtually every time zone of the world.

“I believe Nigeria can make a difference in her search for economic diversification by not only nurturing indigenous technology, but by creating new technology that will improve productivity.

Onu said the Ministry of Science and Technology was working hard to help the country to engage technological innovation to catalyse economic diversification.

In his remarks, Gov. Rauf Aregbeaola said it was disheartening that the nation continued to import fuel at $7.2 billion annually without maximising the potential of its crude oil.

According to the governor, if the country maximises the potentials of crude oil, it will not even export a drop of oil.

“I believe that before we begin to talk about science and technology, we should first be concerned with the making of a knowledge-driven society.

“There is a prevalent disdain for knowledge and scholasticism in our societym,” the governor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting was: ‘The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Diversification of the Economy.'(NAN)

VE/AK/LDA

==========

Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Lawal Ado

NAN-DS-9
Herdsmen
By Alex Anayo Enebeli
Ezeagu (Enugu State), Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) A non-governmental organisation, Cleen Foundation, has waded into the tension brewing between herdsmen and some host communities in Ezeagu Local Government Area in Enugu State.

At a round-table conference at the local government secretariat in Aguobu-Owa on Friday, the organisation called all the concerned parties to resolve the impending crisis.

Tension built up in the area recently when a herdsman allegedly chopped off the hand of an indigene at Afor Ugwu, Aguobu Owa during a disagreement.

Speaking at the round-table, the Divisional Police Officer at Aguobu Owa, Mr Donald Nwafor, said the police could not take action as the two parties agreed to out-of-court settlement.

In his submission, the South East Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Sarki Gidado Sadiq, blamed the conflict between his people and their host communities on mutual suspicion.

Sadiq noted that some of the herdsmen had lived in the South East for more than 50 years and did not know any other home apart from their current abode.

“If other local government areas in Enugu State toe the line of Ezeagu, there will be mutual co-existence between the Fulani and their host communities in the state,’’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the host communities, the traditional ruler of Ogwofia Owa, Igwe Tom Inyama, said that it took two to make peace.

Inyama said that any peace brokered without taking into consideration the interest of the two parties was meaningless.

“Their cattle have been destroying crops in our farmlands. So, when I got invitation to come to this workshop, I said I must be there because this is an opportunity to solve this problem.

“There is an adage in our place that if you are creating wealth, you do not go about destroying another person’s own wealth.

“We are farming, they are farming of a sort. But, why should they destroy our own?

“In looking for solution to a problem like this, it is good to postulate theories, but we should look at real life situations.

“For me, for peace to reign, there should be a form of identification to know who owns the cattle so that you know the person to hold responsible when cattle destroys a farmland,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Programme Officer of Cleen Foundation, Mr Ifeanyi Anyanwu, said the group was concerned with the clashes between the herdsmen and host communities and decided to intervene.

Anyanwu said that the workshop on conflict management and crime prevention would be taken to other problem areas.

He said the foundation which focused on the promotion of security, law enforcement and access to justice, started with five local government areas selected across the country.

He said that the organisation picked Ezeagu in Enugu State, Ebonyi local government in Ebonyi, Isuikwuato in Abia as well as in Oyo and Ekiti states.

In a presentation, a resource person, Isioma Nkemakonam, noted that in the past, clashes between herders and farmers were limited to fighting and destruction of properties.

He noted that in the recent past, there had been reported incidents of robbery, killings, abduction, rape and communal violence.

Participants at the workshop include representatives of the police, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and neighbourhood watch groups. (NAN)
AAE/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-84

Ajayi

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, has described the death of a  chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, as great loss to Yoruba race and the nation as a whole.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, media aide to the governor on Friday in Osogbo.

Aregbesola said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of the Yoruba race and the country as a whole.

The governor also described the late politician as a giant and one of the surviving disciples of the Awolowo school of thought.

He said like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ajayi advocated for true federalism and resource control as panacea for the political imbalances in the country.

According to the governor, the late politician was one of the best the country had produced as he never wavered in his political philosophy until his demise.

“He was a politician of high repute and clout.

“His political horizon spread across the country and beyond. He was a giant in the battle for a better Nigeria.

“All his life, he defined his politics and pitted his tent early in life with the progressive school.

“Even after the demise of the late sage and when others abandoned the Awoist camp for other political philosophy, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi remained steadily on the Awo progressive track.

“He was, till he breathed his last, very consummate about the progress and development of Nigeria as well as that of the Yoruba race,’’ he said.

Aregbesola said the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole would miss his wealth of experience.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that late Ajayi who was born in Isara Remo, Ogun on April 8, 1925, died on Friday at the age of 91. (NAN)

VE/AK/SOA

===========

Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-82

Appointment

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has approved the appointment of Prof. Labode Popoola as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Osun (UNIOSUN).

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Media Aide to the governor, on Friday in Osogbo.

According to the statement, Popoola’s appointment followed the recommendation by the Governing Council of the institution.

It said the recommendation was signed and forwarded to the governor by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) for approval.

The statement said the appointment was with immediat effect.(NAN)

VE/TO/AMY

Edited by Tola Okinbaloye and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-81
Stadium
Kano, Nov.  4, 2016(NAN) The Chairman, Kano State Sports Commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, said the State Government had concluded plans to construct three modern stadia outside kano metropolis to enhance sports ‎development.‎

Galadima disclosed this on Friday while receiving executives of 44 Local Governments Sports Officers Forum in his office.‎‎

He said that the project would reduce over utilisation of the stadium in Kano, the state capital, and give opportunity to youths in the rural areas to show case their talents in sports.‎

‎The chairman said the state government was determined to develop all sporting activities in the state.

He said that government was also willing to encourage talented youths to participate actively in sporting activities.‎
‎

Galadima said that the state government would ‎reintroduce sports festival in order to engage the youths and discover new talents in the state.

“The sports festival which was suspended for some years would be reintroduced to discover new talents and develop grassroot sports in the state,” he said.

‎
‎
The chairman expressed dismay on how sports sector was always being neglected at the local governments  level, despite its significance in promoting unity and creating job opportunities among the youths.‎

He said by 2017 the festival would hold at the three Senatorial Zones in the state and the final matches would be played in the state Capital.
‎

Galadima said the commission was planning to organise inter local government competitions in four sporting events in the first quarter of 2017 with the sole aim of  scouting talents among the youths.

The chairman also charged the forum to wake up in discharging their  primary assignments by strengthening their efforts in organising mini competitions in their council areas.

Earlier, the chairman of the forum, Alhaji Abdulhamid Maidoki,  said they were in his office to intimate him of their challenges in discharging their duties which includes lack of  training and non availability of sporting facilities in their areas.

Maidoki  then urged the commission to revive the inter local government competitions in the state.‎(NAN)
MNT/TO/AFA
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Felix Ajide
===========================