Blog

NAN-H-64

NIMASA

By Moji Eniola

Ikeja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) A prosecution witness, Mr Chukwuma Orji, has revealed how a former Director General of Nigerian Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, converted N496million from the office of the National Security Agency (NSA) to personal use.

Orji made the revelation during the trial of Akpobolokemi and five others on a 13-count charge of stealing and fraud proffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They are accused of stealing N754million belonging to the agency.

Akpobolokemi’s co-defendants are; Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

Orji, an investigating officer with the EFCC, while being led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo said “The first defendant (Akpobolokemi) raised a memo to the office of the NSA.

“The memo requested the sum of N496million and attached to the memo was a detailed table describing how the money was to be spent.

“After the money was disbursed, the first defendant made a request that the said sum be transferred to a private Zenith Bank account with number 1013961926.”

Orji told the court that investigations by the EFCC revealed that the money was laundered through awarding fictitious contracts to some companies which were never executed.

“Two of those companies were Arrow World Consulting and Kofa Fadan Nigeria Limited, we spent two days searching for the location and addresses of these companies.

“Investigations revealed of the sum of N11million was transferred to one Nkechi Aneke, who was a relative of a lady Captain working in NIMASA.

“We invited her to the EFCC where during interrogation she claimed she had no idea how the money got into her account.

“She eventually refunded the money back to the Commission,” he said.

Orji further revealed that Nwakuche, one of the defendants,  had illegally made eight withdrawals of N3 million each from the NIMASA account on the instruction of Agaba his co-defendant.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case to Nov. 30 for continuation of trial . (NAN)

MAE/YAZ

Edited by Yusuf Zango
= = =

NAN-H-63

Officers

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The U.S. Government has trained 66 officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on fingerprint analysis and forensics.

The training is to modernise the crime-fighting abilities and enhance the skills of the officers on evidence collection.

The two weeks training, organised by the U.S. Embassy, the Atlanta Police Department and the NPF rounded off with an award ceremony in Abuja on Friday.

Ms Rosalyn Wiese, Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) at the embassy said the training was an opportunity for officials to learn how to properly collect and document latent fingerprints.

Weise said the Latent Fingerprint Examination course was one of INL’s programmes designed to build capacity in the NPF.

“It is an essential ground level course of instruction that is used as a basis to build further skills in evidence collection.

“Along with more complex courses in crime scene management, INL seeks to support the NPF’s desire to strengthen forensic capabilities to modernise its crime-fighting abilities,” she said.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hyacinth Dagala, said the training was coming at “an apt time where we are moving from analogue to digital policing”.

Dagala was represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Mr Moses Jitoboh.

“Experience is only used in analogue policing where we are coming from. This is where officials use what they see and hear to sort out cases and this may not necessarily be right.

“Technology has taken over policing in different forms and the importance of forensics cannot be downplayed.

Aspects of modern policing include intelligence gathering, technology and experience.’’

He also expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Government for its commitment to promoting security in Nigeria through the training of officials.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Mr Chike Nwabuwa, said that the force was working with relevant agencies to collate and effectively access the biodata of Nigerians.

Nwabuwa said that easy access to accurate biodata of Nigerians would give relevance to the training received and evidence collection at crime scenes by officials.

“We have this agency, National Identity Management Commission and we also have the Bank Verification Number arrangement.

“We equally have the road safety facility we do now to have biodata of individuals recorded.

“At our level as the police, we take the biodata of individuals who register vehicles with tinted glasses.

“We also keep records of every suspect in line with the extant law that empowers the police to keep such records,” he said. (NAN)

TOP/ASS/SN

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

NAN-HE-13

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) It was a mixed grill as bears took over trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday, depressing the All Share Index and market capitalisation.

The major positive was in the volume of shares traded. It grew  by 34.95 per cent, as investors staked N1.21 billion on 151.85 million shares transacted in 2,902 deals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was in contrast with the volume  of 112.52 million shares valued at N2.36 billion traded in 2,684 deals on Thursday.

The All-Share Index shed 62.76 points or 0.23 per cent to close  lower at 26,981.60 compared with 27,044.36 recorded on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation lost N1 billion  to close at N9.288 trillion against N9.289 trillion posted on Thursday.

Sterling Bank emerged the most traded stock, accounting for 33.67 million shares worth N27.62 million.

It was trailed by Zenith Bank with an exchange of 24.21 million shares valued at N359.41 million.  FBN Holdings traded 20.23 million shares worth N61.70 million.

UBA sold 18.74 million shares valued at N80.49 million and Access Bank posted a turnover of 9.58 million shares worth N53.71 million.

NAN also reports that major blue chips posted price losses with Seplat leading the losers’ table having lost N19 to close at N361 per share.

Total came second with a loss of N16.62 to close at N315.88, while Guaranty Trust Bank shed 93k to close at N22.57 per share.

Nigerian Breweries was down by 86k to close at N142 and Zenith Bank declined by 30k to close at N14.80 per share.

On the other hand, Nestle led the gainers’ table with a gain of N19.96 to close at N814.94 per share.

Larfarge Africa garnered N5.08 to close at N54.88 and Flour Mill increased by 70k to close at N19.70 per share.

Air Service rose by 20k to close at N2.54, while AfriPrudential Registrar advanced by 12k to close at N2.60 per share. (NAN)
JNC/YAZ

Edited by Yusuf Zango

NAN-ELS-6
Tool
By Taiye Baiyerohi and Bayo Olawunmi
Lagos Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that music was veritable tool the government could use to sensitise Nigerians about its activities.

Mohammed made the assertion at the Africa Music Business Round-table as he spoke on “Championing Social Justice and Advocacy through Music” in Lagos on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Africa Music Round-table is to foster creative and cultural exchange, fast track industry development, knowledge transfer and build bridges for the economic growth of music.

The programme is one of the activities lined up to mark the 2016 “All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA)’’, with the grand finale slated for Nov. 6 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award ceremony will create a night of glamour, glitz and grandeur for Africa in its crowning glory through a world-class live production event broadcast to over 80 countries.

He added that the national orientation campaign, tagged “Change Begins with Me,’’ which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sept. 8, 2016, would be jingled through music.

He noted that the campaign was about returning to those moral values that would place the country in good stead.

“A lot of that can be done through music, in order words, music is a powerful tool for advocacy.

“Good music has no tribe, no gender, no section and no religion.

“l find the topic you have asked me to speak on very interesting and absolutely relevant.

“I am sure many will remember that when Nigeria changed from right-hand driving to the left in 1972, the likes of Ebenezer Obey and Ayinla Omowura used their music to sensitise Nigerians.

“That was more effective than thousands of advertisement pages in the newspapers.

The minister also cited how music was used to sensitise Nigerians, when the government in 1973, changed the country’s currency from Pounds and Shillings to Naira and Kobo.

“Also, when Nigerian transited from Pound Sterling to Naira and Kobo, musicians played a prominent role in sensitising the public.

“This is one of the most important and credible platforms to promote African Music,’’ Mohammed said.

The Minister appreciated AFRIMA for projecting Nigeria in good light.

“This, to me, is one of the most important and credible platforms to promote African music globally, using Nigeria as a pivot.

“My sincere hope is that you will do everything possible to sustain AFRIMA which, in your own words, is propelling African Music to the glorious pinnacle far beyond the borders of Africa,’’ he said.

The minister urged Nigerian musicians to emerge with sound musical content that would reshape the morals of the society. (NAN)
PTB/AAO/ERO/PDE
===============
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)

MAN boss urges Nigerians to patronise indigenous products
NAN-HE-8
Patronage
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kamorudeen Yusuf, the Chairman, Kwara/Kogi Zone of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has advised Nigerians to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery by patronising indigenous products.
In a statement in Ilorin on Friday, Yusuf said patronage of locally made products was capable of stimulating the economy positively.
The MAN chairman expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon overcome its current economic challenges, saying that diversification of the nation’s economy remained the only solution.
He identified agriculture, steel and entrepreneurship as some genuine alternatives to boost the nation’s economy in the face of global fall in the price of crude oil.
The MAN chief urged government at all levels to always complement the efforts of industrialists.
“If power supply and roads are fixed, Nigeria’s economy will bounce back geometrically and it will also have positive effects on the prices of commodities.
“We are living in a world of global change and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the desired change is effective everywhere.”
“World powers of today have their past too,’’ Yusuf said, adding that patronage of indigenous products would add value to the Nigerian currency.

He said that buying indigenous products would provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and markets would also be busy at all times.
“In addition, this act will doubtless portray us as the independent nation that we claim to be.
“Although, we cannot produce all that we need in Nigeria, but you will agree with me that Nigerian manufacturers are wonderful, in spite of all odds they keep forging forward.

“These manufacturers resist all challenges in a bid to contribute their quota to the nation.”
The industrialist assured that the association under his watch would continue to ensure standards and safety for manufacturing industries’ growth and development. (NAN)
AUO/COF/TA
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Tajudeen Atitebi

‎

Fiscal Responsibility Commission to embark on project verification from Nov.6
NAN-HE-6
Project
Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) on Friday said it would embark on physical verification exercise of 50 Federal Government capital projects across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Victor Muruako, said the exercise was a core mandate of the commission aimed at ensuring prudent and transparent usage of the nation’s resources.

Muruako said that it had been observed that most projects carried out were poorly executed, mostly abandoned and in some cases not in line with the context of the original project.

He said after careful study of the budget implementation reports in the country, the commission decided to embark on verification of capital projects which according to him began in 2012.

On the challenges of verifying projects, Muruako said that most ministries, departments and agencies of government were not complying with the FOI Act, thus making the work difficult for the commission.

He appealed to such agencies to give their support to FRC, saying that henceforth it would not be business as usual as un-cooperating agencies would be made to face the law.

Muruako urged citizens in various communities to take advantage of Section 51 of the FRC Act which empowered citizens to invoke the provisions of the Act without showing any special interest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 51 of the Act states that“ a person shall have legal capacity to enforce the provisions of this Act by obtaining prerogative order or other remedies at the Federal High Court without having to show any special or particular interest.’’

Muruako said:“ these projects should be owned by the citizens of the country; it is your duty as a citizen to ensure that the contractors abide by the terms of the project.

“ You need to ask questions; you can even write to the commission and lay your complaints because if you do nothing, it is not in your interest as citizens and it is very unfortunate.

“ Government at this level has done a lot to reach various segments of the communities, what is absent is proper execution of the project.

“ If we come out and own the projects, the contractors and MDAs will improve, so let us secure government projects, properties and stop colluding with contractors to reap off the people.

Muruako said that N21,230 million was allocated to the commission in 2016, which he said, was not close to what was required to run the commission.

He thanked the government for its move towards amending the FRC Act and expressed optimism that the amendment would help the commission better carry out its duty.

Earlier, Alhaji Moshood Olatunji, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation, FRC, said the projects for the exercise was selected from the Ministries of Works, Water Resources, Niger Delta Affairs, Health and Agriculture.
“The projects were selected on the basis of non-continuous reporting in Budget Implementation Reports and follow up on earlier projects visited.

“Details of the projects were obtained from the MDAs and to facilitate a hitch free and effective inspection, the MDAs have provided guides to accompany the various teams to the projects.

“The commission expects that the observations and findings of the current verification exercise will go a long way in addressing the challenges in capital budget implementation

“This is with a view to improve quality of project execution and value for money,’’ Olatunji said.

On the objectives of the programme, he said it would determine whether funds expended were commensurate with what was on ground and physically verify the existence of projects.
“It will determine attainment of financial and physical targets, find out challenges in the execution of projects and suggest improvements where necessary.
“To encourage the citizenry to take keen interest in budget implementation, especially capital projects located within their areas.
“ It will also create more awareness on the responsibilities and duties of the commission with regard to proper planning and prudent management of government resources. (NAN)
LCN/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-49
Health
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Managing Director, Society for Family Health, Mr Bright Ekweremadu, on Friday said that healthcare delivery and public health had not only improved but benefited from Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Ekweremadu, who made the assertion at the Nigeria Innovation Summit 2016 in Lagos, said the introduction of mobile doctors to deliver health services to the public had been beneficial and had aided data management.

The Summit has the theme: “Innovations in Healthcare Industry’’.

“Innovations in the health sector have made it possible for people to be able to take care of their health issues properly.

“It is with the help of prompt healthcare management that the Ebola case in the country was combated.

“With innovation, the development of a pre-packaged malaria medicine was got and this will enable easy treatment of malaria,’’ he said.

Ekweremadu, however, said that there was need to improve access to essential health information, services and products to motivate the adoption of healthy behaviour by Nigerians.

He said that until the health indices were right, the country was not going forward health wise.

Also, Dr Daniel Folukoya, Chief Executive Officer, OneDokita Healthcare Ltd., urged the public to change their health-seeking behaviour so as to live a healthy life.

Folukoya said the public could improve their health seeking behaviour through education.

“Gone are the days that patients cannot ask their doctors what they are suffering from or a drug’s name will be sealed up.

“Innovations in the health industry will encourage electronic health network which will enable the public to get additional information on illnesses online.

“We do not need to rely on doctors, we need to educate ourselves on our health and also take ownership of our healthcare,’’ he said.

The medical practitioner said that one thing unique to Nigeria’s health ecosystem was having a health coverage scheme that helped Nigerians to pay their bills and work with the government.

He said that healthcare is usually paid for out of people’s pocket or discretional income.

Folukoya said this would require the patient to always visit the hospital or health centre, adding that, however, with ICT healthcare delivery could be done in the confines of the home.

He said there was need for early adoption of ICT in the healthcare, adding that healthcare service providers should be pushed to do so.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Innovation Summit is an event that brings stakeholders together to share trends and opportunities around technological innovation.

It also promotes the need for Nigeria to use innovation to drive her economy. (NAN)
CAN/COF/PDE
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-10

Skoolympics

Lagos, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Nosiru Bello, National Coach of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), on Friday urged the organisers of the three-day Skoolympics Games in Lagos to sustain the programme to enhance grassroots sports development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is aimed at building a heritage of champions through youth sports competition at the secondary school level.

The Games, which opened on Wednesday, is organised by Heritage Bank.

Bello told NAN at the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue of the Games that it was only through such programmes that budding talents could be identified and nurtured to stardom.

“The skoolympics is a good initiative by the organisers and I wish they will be able to sustain the programme for many years to come.

“This is the kind of developmental programme we need in this country to revamp sports and increase youth participation,’’ he said.

He said that government alone could not be saddled with the responsibility of promoting sport, appealing to corporate organisations to complement the effort of the government.

The coach added that talents identified at the table tennis event of the Games would be properly nurtured for future purpose.

“Over 100 students participated in table tennis; I also watched some of them play and I am impressed,” he said.

NAN reports that about 6,000 students from over 200 public and private schools in the state participated in basketball, athletics, handball, table tennis, swimming, athletics and others. (NAN)
KOA/ENN/SOA
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Oluwole Sogunle)

No school fees increase at Kwara Poly – Rector
NAN-H-50
Fees
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, on Friday said that the institution had not increased its school fees.
Addressing newsmen in Ilorin, the rector debunked rumours circulating in the social media that the school had increased its school fees.
“The campaign on the social media is callous and not a true representation of the institution’s authorities.
“I urge the general public to always seek clarification when they are in doubt over activities of the school,’’ Elelu said.
The rector advised the public to verify information on fees and other activities of the school on the institution’s official website.
He explained that the institution was involved in legitimate businesses to sustain its operations in order to survive the current economic recession.
Elelu also described as untrue speculations that the institution asked students to pay before mobilising them for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“Any of our graduates that is yet to be mobilised for the NYSC scheme must have either been expelled, is sick or has a carryover in a course,’’ the rector said.
He advised the public to always clarify issues with the school rather than rely on Social Media which, he said, are subject to abuse.
According to him, students may not be admitted into the hostels as the institution is collaborating with the private sector on the rehabilitation of the facility. (NAN)
OOH/COF/WOJ
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Iraqi Kurdish presidency calls for release of HDP leaders in Turkey

NAN-F-17

Release

Istanbul, Nov. 4, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The leader of Iraqi Kurdistan on Friday called for Turkey to release members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

He warned that the measures against the legislators would not serve peace or stability.

“The detentions and arrests are “not serving peace, political and social coexistence.

“They should be released,” Hemin Hawrami, a spokesman for President Masoud Barzani, said

Barzani has close relations with the Turkish government in Ankara.

The move against the HDP “exacerbates the political atmosphere, brings more unwanted reactions.

Arrests and violence proved wrong”.

Hawrami also was critical of bombings by the armed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK).

“All violence must stop,” he said.(dpa/NAN)

OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf