Blog

NAN-H-112
Mathematics
Makurdi, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Benue Government would collaborate with the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) to establish a model centre in Makurdi, Gov. Samuel Ortom said on
Thursday.

The governor said this when the Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the
Centre, Prof. Stephen Onah, paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi.

He said the situation became necessary following the increasing number of unsuccessful students who sat for mathematics examination across the state.

He added that “mathematics is one subject many students hate so much. I personally failed the subject during my first sitting but made it two years after serious determination to pass it.

“So, you can imagine the benefits of having the centre here in Benue so that students will be made to like the subject at early age of their learning.”

He commended President Mohammadu Buhari for appointing Prof. Onah, a Benue indigene as
chief executive of the Centre and urged the staff to give him their maximum cooperation.

Earlier, Onah had told the governor that the Centre had designed several mathematics
programmes for easy learning, adding that it had also procured text books, instructional materials and teaching aids for teachers in selected schools.

He said the Centre was determined to deliver on its mandate of developing appropriate initiatives of international standards to rekindle and sustain interest in the study of mathematics and the sciences at all levels in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that mathematics is one of the subjects most students do not like and it has continued to record high failure rate in examinations in the country. (NAN)
AEB/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Union, Kwara Polytechnic launch skill acquisition programme for 250 youths

NAN-H-109
Programme
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), in collaboration with the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, on Thursday launched skill acquisition programme for 250 youths from Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths are to be trained in paint production, soap making, tie and dye, beads making, air freshener, tailoring, POP ceiling, hair dressing among others.

The duration of the training is three months at the end of which certificates will be issued to the trainees.

In his speech, the IEDPU President, Alhaji Ahmed Hadi, said the programme was first of its kind since the inception of the union over 50 years ago.

Hadi said the aim of the programme was to help address the growing unemployment rate and youth restiveness in the country, especially with the present recession.

He said that the period when jobs waited for graduates was over hence the need to train people to become self-reliance rather than job seekers.

The IEDPU president explained that government alone could not drive the economy, adding that only a private driven economy could drive the country out of recession.

He said the institution was chosen because of the state of the art equipment in the polytechnic, adding that it was going to be an annual exercise.

In his address, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, said the partnership with IEDPU was an indication of the union’s confidence in the training offered by the institution.

He explained that towards the end of 2010, the polytechnic was able access TETFUND to put up a befitting Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), for 2009/2010 projects intervention.

“Let me state boldly that Nigeria has all it takes to actualise its dreams.

“But if we want the economy to grow, the people must grow by making human capital development a realisable goal.

“In order to solve the problem of unemployment and shortage of skilled manpower plaguing our country, skill acquisition must be given relevant attention,” Elelu said.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees, the Team Leader, Kazeem Ahmed, said the trainees would not disappointing the union and the polytechnic. (NAN)
OOH/ORO/AFA
Edited by Razak Owolabi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-75
Science
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Bella Wakama, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, on Thursday said science and technology remain the bedrock of the economic diversification drive of the Federal Government.

Wakama made the assertion in Osogbo at the 14th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that science and technology experts were already on ground to brainstorm on how to develop the industry as a viable means of addressing the current economic predicament.

The theme of the programme is: “Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Diversification of Nigeria Economy.”

Wakama said that the task of rebuilding the nation’s economy was urgent and necessary.

According to her, the development of a viable sector goes beyond fertilizer manure, as there is a need to embark on mechanised farming.

“The country has great potential in agriculture, if properly harnessed for better growth and speedy development, and as a lasting solution to the present economic predicament,’’ Wakama said.

In his presentation, Dr Charles Agulanna, the Director-General, Projects Development Agency (PRODA), Enugu, said that three major agro-allied machines had been invented and patented by the agency.

Agulanna said that huge investment, particularly from the private sector, was required to facilitate mass production of the machines.

According to him, the machines include Caustic Destructive Block Testing Machine and the Automated Orthopaedic. (NAN)
DOO/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye
 

NAN-H-100
Athletes
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, on Thursday said NSCDC was a force to reckon with in sports.

Gana made the remarks at the NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja, when he  showered encomium on the NSCDC Sports Team for its performance at the just concluded Ministry of Interior Games (MIGA).

NSCDC won 39 gold, 19 silver and nine bronze medals, amassing a total of 67 medals.

The Police came second, while the Nigerian Prisons Service emerged third, closely followed by the Nigerian Immigration in fourth place.

The Fire Service and the Ministry of Interior finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Gana noted that the performance of Corps’ team was world class, adding that NSCDC was now the hub for choosing Sports Men and Women in Nigeria.

He called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports not to bother looking elsewhere to acquiring sporting persons, saying that NSCDC had all it required.

The Corps helmsman promised handsome reward to all the Athletes and their deserving coaches with all their assistants.

He heaped praises on the coaching crew, who he said, shaped NSCDC sports to achieve excellence and turned the sports men and women into champions.

He said that they had not only brought glory to the NSCDC but the nation in general.

Gana noted that the team had followed their track records in various international competitions which held in Beijing, China, Glasgow, Scotland, among others.

He also pledged continuous support to the Sports Personnel of the NSCDC, as they have not in any way rested in bringing glory to the organization.

“The Corps will not stop honoring, appreciating and supporting you at all times to excel to greater heights,” he said.

The Ministry of Interior Games tagged ‘ MIGA 2016 ‘, which started on Oct. 21 has since come to an end on Oct. 30, 2016.

Meanwhile, Team NSCDC has started preparations ahead MIGA 2018. (NAN)
VO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-108
Reform
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 3, 2016(NAN) A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, has called on residents of Oyo State to support Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in his educational reform programme.

He made the call on Thursday at the I5th anniversary lecture of Premier 93.5 FM held at the Banquet Hall of Premier Hotel in Ibadan.

Akintola said that he was in support of the return of schools to missionaries and private individuals who could run the schools effectively and realistically in order to restore the high standard known to them.

He said that good education should not be sacrificed on the altar of religious bigotry and political manipulation.

“We should all rally round our forward looking governor in this regard rather than demonising or blackmailing him.

“The educational development of our children is too important to the development and progress of our country,” he said.

The popular legal practitioner said that most of the past and present leaders in the country attended missionary schools and upon completion of their studies became great men and women.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had introduced an education reform initiative involving public private participatory management of schools which had been rejected by some stakeholders.

Ajimobi, however, had said that the initiative was just a group of people partnering the state government in the development of schools across the state.

NAN reports that the state government had also set up a 31-member Education Reform Committee which has already submitted its recommendations to the government for implementation.

Also introduced by the state government was the “no automatic promotion” policy to prepare students for better performance in external examinations.

The policy stipulated that students would promote from one class to the other only if they scored at least 50 percent in their core courses, including Mathematics and English Language.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-104
Certificate

By AbduFatai Beki
Ilorin, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Kwara House of Assembly on Thursday summoned the Chairman of Kwara Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Dr Muritala Awodun, for clarification on the status of old version of local government certificate of origin.

The House issued the summon following the adoption of a motion titled “Contradictions Arising from Issuance of Certificate of Local Government Origin.”

The motion, which enjoyed the support of all members, was moved by Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman (APC, Ilorin North West Constituency).

The chief revenue collector of the state is expected to first appear before the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development.

Abdulrahman, in his submission, noted that there had been high rate of abuse of Kwara local governments certificate of origin by non-indigenes thereby limiting the chances of indigenes in accessing greater opportunities.

He added that KWIRS was given a cabinet responsibility to administer the certificate to prospective citizens at a bearable cost, and not only to increase revenue but also to checkmate the scam in the issuance of the certificates.

The legislator described the centralisation of the production of uniform certificate for all 16 local governments as a welcome development.

He expressed concern that KWIRS seemed to give the revenue generating aspect a greater premium than verifying the authenticity of the bearers of the certificates.

Abdulrahman condemned the current advocacy in the media and tertiary institutions on the need for people in the state with the old version of certificates to obtain new ones.

He noted that the revenue collection body seemed to be derailing from the main objectives of issuance and verification of the certificate of origin.

Abdurahman particularly frowned at the action of KWIRS in writing to the authorities of University of Ilorin requesting them to demand for new state of origin certificate from the new and returning students.

While describing the act as a selective justice, he called on the House to wade into the matter.

Some of the members, who contributed to the debate, said the power of issuance and invalidity or otherwise of local government certificate of origin was vested on the local government councils.

They affirmed that the power arrogated to KWIRS did not belong to it, and called for caution.

The lawmakers particularly condemned the cancellation of admission of new students of the University of Ilorin as requested by the KWIRS.

They described the request as an action that was not in conformity with the present democratic dispensation.

Reading the resolution of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Mathew Okedare, directed KWIRS to, as a matter of urgency, suspend the announcement/advocacy in the media and tertiary institutions for new certificates.

The House also directed KWIRS to retrieve letters sent to the University of Ilorin and other institutions on presentation of new certificates of origin by new and returning students. (NAN)

BEKI/ORO/LDA

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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Lawal Ado

Asuquo editing

NAN-DS-12
Insurgents
Maiduguri, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Troops of 8 Task Force Division, Nigerian Army, on Thursday intercepted a group of suspected Boko Haram insurgents allegedly on a mission to loot logistics supplies in surrounding villages.

Col. Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations Department, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen in Maiduguri.

He said that the troops were patrolling the Monguno-Brimari road when the incident occurred.

“On sighting the patrol, the insurgents engaged the troops in a shootout that lasted for about fifteen minutes before they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the patrol.

“In the encounter, 2 insurgents were neutralised and their weapons including one FN rifle loaded with a magazine of 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK 47 rifle with 3 magazines were captured.

“Also recovered from the insurgents were 2 motorcycles, drugs, wrappers and clothes,” the statement said. (NAN)
ABI/JEO/AEA
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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-105
ICC
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Federal Government on Thursday says Nigeria has no intention of withdrawing its membership from the international Criminal Court (ICC).

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of foreign Affairs, Jane Adams on Thursday in Abuja.

Adams stated that Nigeria was poised towards improving the working methods of the court for efficient delivery of its mandate in the service of humanity and equitable justice.

She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs observed the recent developments  on withdrawal of membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by some African countries describing the actions as national decisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that  South Africa, Gambia, and Burundi had in October announced their intent to withdraw from the ICC.

According to the spokesperson the ICC represents the hope and aspirations of millions of people around the world.

She said that Nigeria as a state party to the Rome Statute believed that the court represents an International mechanism for ensuring justice for all.

“Nigeria remains a signatory to the Rome Statute adopted on 17^th July 1998 and which entered into force in July 1, 2002. Nigeria deposited its instrument on 27^thSeptember, 2001.

“Many members States of The UN, not just Africans are not yet signatories and state parties of the statute.

“Though non membership does not protect anyone from prosecution by the court as the UN Security Council can refer cases to the Court the time has however come to call on all member states who have not yet signed the Rome Statute to consider becoming signatories to the statute.

“It is only by working together that we can ensure that the court effectively performs its functions and serves humanity faithfully,” she stated.

Nigeria according to her underscores the ideals and objectives which inspired the creation of ICC.

Adams said this include fighting impunity and ensure that perpetrators of crimes such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity are brought to justice.

“A strengthened, reinvigorated and fine-tuned ICC as a symbol of the International Criminal system has an important role to play to offer solace to victims of heinous despicable and dastardly crimes.

“It will also make the perpetrators of those crimes know that there is no rest for the wicked.

“We collectively, owe it as a duty to this and future generations, to give voice to the voiceless,” she said(NAN)

IAA/YAZ

Edited Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-98

Adjournment

By Doris Esa

Abuja, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The National Industrial Court has adjourned the N10 million suit brought by Home Cooperative Society against two of its former employees, Eucharia Amaka and Iwuamaeze Ifeyinwa, till Dec.6.

The judge, Justice Isele Esele, fixed the date after the respondents’ counsel, Uchendu Francis, cross-examined the claimant’s witness, Esther Udofia, a thrift collector with the cooperative.

Udofia told the court that during her daily collections, she discovered that the first defendant had been leveraging the claimant’s customers in Kugbo mechanic Village Market, Abuja.

“When I went to Kugbo Market, I saw the defendants, who had already been sacked from the Cooperative, collecting money from claimant’s customers.

“So, I asked the customers and they explained to me that they are now dealing with Divine Favour (another thrift society),” she said.

Udofia told the Court that the first respondent had also enlisted the help of the second respondent to collect the daily cash from the claimant’s customers.

When asked how she knew that the respondent had taken over the claimant’s customers, she said that the customers were no longer patronising the Cooperative.

She also told the court that the action of the respondents was destroying the image of the claimant.

The claimant is praying the court to stop the respondents from leveraging its customers as their action was negatively impacting on its business.

The claimant is also asking for N10 Million as punitive damages. (NAN)
ORD/HAS/OFN

Edited By Hajia Sani//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-AE-20
Revitalisation
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja reiterated its commitment to revitalise the Lake Chad Basin to harness its agricultural and water resources potentials.

Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports gave the assurance in a statement by Tolu Makinde, Director Press in the ministry.

Dalung said this when a delegation from UNESCO visited his office; saying that the issue of Lake Chad was very dear to the government and could not afford to see it dry up.

He said government was also working with countries in the Lake Chad Commission to resuscitate the Lake and harness its agricultural, water and employment generation potentials.

Dalung lamented that some people are using the cyber space to carry out negative radicalisation of youths with serious security implication.

He expressed the willingness of government to work with the body to fight the menace.

The minister appreciated the efforts of UNESCO towards the development of the country.

He called for the inclusion and involvement of youth in all programmes and policies being designed for their benefit, adding that their involvement was paramount to the success of such endeavours.

Mrs Mariam Katagum, permanent delegation of Nigeria to UNESCO, said the visit was to sensitise ministries involved in the reactivation of the Lake Chad.

She said her visit to the Youth and Sports Ministry was to exchange views on issues concerning the forthcoming UNESCO meeting that would come up in December.

According to her, during the last visit of the UNESCO Director General to Nigeria in August, there was a directive by the President that involved some ministries.

Katagum listed some of the ministries to include: ministry of youth and sports and the ministry of education which was the coordinating ministry on UNESCO affairs.

She said the meeting was to come up with action plan and timelines on Lake Chad and de-radicalisation of youth among others.

Katagum drew attention to a working proposal drawn up by the body already dispatched to ministries concerned.

She said the delegation was expecting the ministry to look at the proposal like other concerned MDA’s and make inputs.

She emphasised on the need for Nigeria to domesticate the Anti-doping Convention of which Nigeria was the first signatory in Africa; for the benefit of the youth in the country.
(NAN)
DE/AK/AFA

Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Felix Ajide
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