Blog

NAN-H-77

NASU

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Mr Peters Adeyemi, the National Secretary, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), on Thursday commended authorities of Yaba College of Technology for constructing an office complex for its members in the institution.

Adeyemi spoke at the inauguration of the complex, held alongside the 2nd Regular Meeting of the Polytechnics and Other Trade Groups Council at the college.

The NASU scribe thanked the rector, Dr Margaret Ladipo for the support provided for members of the union in spite of the present economic challenges.

He said that the complex, a one-storey building with four offices, one conference hall, one cafeteria, alongside other facilities, would be of great benefit to both the college community and the union.

“I commend the rector for her role in providing welfare for NASU members in the college.

“The situation in the country is very bad, and if you find a management, despite the critical constraint, can still improve the welfare of workers, I think we need to salute them.

“As we commend those who are doing well, we will condemn the state governors who are not doing well,’’ he said.

Adeyemi said the 2nd Regular Meeting of the Polytechnics and Other Trade Groups Council holding at the college, came at a critical time in the history of the country.

Dr Margaret Ladipo, Rector of the college commended NASU executives and members in the college for their resilience and consistency in the college.

Ladipo said the office complex was a reality because of the spirit of leadership displayed by the union.

“The old building was made of plank and for over 20 years, it remained that way because past managements were not interested in developing it.

“When the union approached me, I visited the place and the management decided to build a permanent cafeteria for the college.

“I am honoured to host the Polytechnics and Other Trade Groups Council meeting of NASU,” she said.

Ladipo thanked the NASU college branch chairman and his executives for the high level of maturity of the union  and its disposition to dialogue rather than confrontation.

Mr Ilesanmi Olatunbosun, the NASU Chairman in the college, commended the management for the construction of the new complex.

Olatunbosun listed other things the union had enjoyed in the college to include reinstatement of NASU members who were sacked in 2008, yearly upgrading and conversion of members, regular promotion and implementation of CONTISS 15 since 2013.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASU presented an award to the rector in recognition of her performance in the area of welfare of its members. (NAN)
OOG/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-AE-19
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy weather conditions over the central states of the country, including Minna, Abuja, Bida, Bauchi, Jos, Lafia, Jalingo, Ibi and Yola on Friday.

The Agency made the prediction in the Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Thursday in Abuja.

It stated that partly cloudy conditions would prevail over Makurdi, Lokoja and Ilorin with maximum temperatures of 28 to 35 degrees Celsius.

It also predicted that the southern states would experience cloudiness with prospects of thundery activities over Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oshogbo, Ekiti, Akure, Benin, Awka, Umuahia, Asaba and Abakalika in the evening hours.

It stated that thunderstorms were likely over Owerri, Ogoja, Ikom, Calabar, Yenagoa, Uyo, Eket and Port Harcourt with maximum temperatures of 31 to 34 degrees Celsius.

According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze conditions with further deterioration of horizontal visibility to less than 1000m anticipated over Maiduguri, Potiskum, Nguru, Damaturu, Kano, Katsina and Yola.

It added that Sokoto, Yelwa, Gusau, Zaria and Northern Kaduna would have better visibility
of between one to three kilometres with maximum day time temperatures of 34 to 38 degrees Celsius.

“Dust haze engulfs the Northern cities of the country reducing horizontal visibilities and this condition should persist in the next 24 hours period with increased dryness over the country,’’ NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Corruption in Judiciary must be fought to standstill – ICSAN

NAN-H-93

Corruption

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has commended the anti-corruption fight in the Judiciary stressing that corruption in Nigeria must be fought in every sector.

National President of the Institute, Dr Nat Ofo, made the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the 50^th Anniversary of the Institute.

He, however, urged government to always follow due process in fighting corruption.

“Let us be frank with ourselves, corruption is the major issue in our country; for the nation to move forward, corruption has to be dealt with.

“It is the responsibility of government to ensure that corruption is dealt with.

“If your hands are clean, you will not be afraid of any accusation. It is not every judge that was arrested, not every judge has his privacy violated.

“There is due process and the process has started for them to clear their names; if what was done is wrong, there are also legal remedies for them to clear their names.

“I think that we have adequate legislative mechanism to address the issue but the point must be made that we have to deal with corruption.

“We support government’s effort to fight corruption even though we are also in agreement that due process should be followed; but, corruption must be fought, it must be fought to a standstill and it should be fought wherever it is.

“As an institute, we are not in support of corruption in any form,” he said.

Speaking on the association, he urged Nigerians to write its certification examination as ICSAN is a well-recognised institute in Nigeria.

Ofo said that the London certification was not suitable to the Nigerian business environment which was why the institute initiated its own examination.

He disclosed that plans were underway to start online lectures for the Nigerian certification adding that the Institute planned to start holding certification examinations for Nigerians in the UK and other countries.

Ofo appealed to government to give Chartered Secretaries their pride of place in the Civil Service stressing that they should be employed on grade Level 10 not 8.

“In the Civil Service presently we are employed on Level 8; where we should be is level 10, we are pursuing that and in a matter of time it will happen,” he said.

The ICSAN president said that Chartered Secretaries should be seen as important tools in the corporate governance of any organisation. (NAN)
KTE/HAS/YAZ
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Yusuf Zango

Death toll in Kogi cassava flour meal rises to 9

NAN-HG-8

Deaths

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Three more that partook in the cassava flour meal in Ogaminana area of Okene in Kogi have lost their lives.

Two of them, a 42-year-old woman and 10-year-old boy, died on Thursday at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, the acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Olatunde Alabi told newsmen.

Alabi said that three victims of the cassava flour meal were rushed to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday morning from Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area, but two of them died Thursday morning.

He said that the boy died at about 4 a.m while the woman gave up the ghost at about 10 a.m.

Alabi said that the third victim, a girl of about 13 years, is in critical condition.

The chief medical director confirmed that seven people actually died between Monday and Tuesday, and not six as speculated.

According to him, the cause of the deaths are yet to be ascertained but the hospital is suspecting cynaide poison from the cassava meal.

“Clinically, we are saying we are suspecting cyanide poison,’’ Alabi said.

He said that the hospital staff did their best to save their lives but the worst still happened.

He said that the state government appeared determined to ascertain the real cause of the death of the people as it has decided to send the blood samples of the victims for detoxincology test in South Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a woman, three of her children and three of neighbours’ children lost their lives between Monday (Oct. 31) and Tuesday (Nov. 1), after a meal of cassava flour.

The woman was said to have brought the cassava flour from her farm at Uhuepe village on Oct. 30, from which she prepared a dinner (white amala) for her family.

She also extended the meal to the children of her neighbours.

The woman and three of her children died in their house on Oct. 31, while the three children of their neighbours who partook in the meal died at the Okene General Hospital on Nov. 1. (NAN)
KKA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-89
Election
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Some members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Osun Chapter, have asked the National Industrial Court in Ibadan to restrain the union’s national executives from conducting election into the State Executive Council.

This was contained in an exparte motion filed on Wednesday by the claimants’ counsel, Mr Olushola Ajao, urging the court to stop the conduct of the election pending the determination and hearing of the substantive case.

The claimants are Mr Adedapo Akintayo, Mr Adelani Akano, Mr Yekeen Adeniran, Mr Opeyemi Bello, Mr Adeleye Badmus and Mr Mathew Babarinde, among others.

Ajao said that the union was managed by three levels of authority– national, state and unit–as provided in the constitution of the union.

He said that presently,  there were no unit executive members in many ministries and agencies in Osun.

Ajao said that since  2012, many unit executives members in Osun State had retired, died or had been posted out, adding that this had resulted in many ministries and agencies not having unit executive members.

He said that election for unit executives must be conducted before holding state branch delegates conference, maintaining that any delegates conference was invalid without this.

Ajao said the defendants had planned to hold the branch delegates conference for Osun branch of the union and to conduct election into the branch executive council on Thursday.

The claimant’s counsel urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the respondents are the National President, Mr Kaigama Bala, National Vice President, Mr Mutiu Adebayo, Secretary-General, Mr Lawal Bashir  and Assistant Secretary-General, Mr Princewill Akamo. (NAN)
SYS/ORO/OJO
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(Edited by Razak Owolabi/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-ELS-1
Awards
Nashville (U.S.), Nov.3, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) American country pop singer and songwriter, Troyal Garth Brooks, won the top prize at the 50th annual Country Music Awards on Wednesday at Nashville, U.S., broadcast live on ABC.

Born on Feb. 7, 1962, Brooks took home the top award of Entertainer of the Year, presented by Taylor Swift.

Legendary country music star Dolly Parton was also among the big honourees as she got the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Parton, who quipped, said “I would cry, but I didn’t want to mess up my eyelashes and
the crowd roared with appreciation at Parton as she observed her award.

Another country music star, Kenny Chesney, was presented the special Pinnacle Award, the third time the honor was ever presented.

The Female Vocalist of the Year award went to Carrie Underwood, her fourth win in the category and after blurting thanks to the many legends in attendance, Underwood was seemingly at a loss for words, saying “I’ve just become suddenly stupid.”

Chris Stapleton was named Male Vocalist of the Year, and ended his speech saying “it
takes a village, a line often associated with U.S. presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Co-hosts of the award Brad Paisley and Underwood also mined the presidential campaign in opening banter that included the lines “this show is rigged,’’ “will you accept tonight’s results?” and “you’re a nasty woman.”

Other top awards included single of the year, won by Thomas Rhett for “Die a Happy Man,” and Lori McKenna’s “Humble and King,” named song of the year.

An emotional Maren Morris won for new artist, noting “Last year I sat across the street in a bar and watched this show.”

Eric Church won album of the year for “Mr. Misunderstood.”

Other awards went to Little Big Town for vocal group of the year and the Brothers Osborne, named vocal due of the year.

However, the country music biggest night turned out to be something different as
pop-R&B queen Beyonce commanded the spotlight with a thumping performance
of “Daddy Lessons.”

Accompanied by the Dixie Chicks, the Texas-born star appeared more than two hours into the more-than three hour long show, even though fans tuned in specially and expected her widely touted performance to open the show.

As if to commend the audience for the wait,Beyonce, working a glittering, beaded gown,
brought the A-list audience to its feet with the country-blues “Daddy Lessons” from her newest album “Lemonade’’.

She was joined by a bevy of on-stage musicians and the Dixie Chicks.  (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Hadiza Mohammed Aliyu)

NAN-H-86

Recession

By Ismaila Chafe

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday attributed the country’s current economic situation to bad management of the economy in the past 16 years by previous administrations.

President Buhari stated this when he received a Research Work of the Course 38 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos.

The theme of the report is: “Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms for Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Development in Nigeria”.

The President, however, noted that recession was not peculiar to Nigeria, saying that there were `far, far worse cases than Nigeria’.

Cue in audio 1 (Buhari)

“It is also important to note that the economic recession is not the making of this administration but rather the consequences of the bad management of the economy in the past couple of decades.

“For the 16 years and eight consecutive governments, it was the other party and you knew the unprecedented revenue released.

“The average production which can be verified, was 2.1million barrel per day, 1999 to 2014.

“The average cost of each Nigerian barrel of oil was 100 per dollars when we came it dived to less than 30 per barrel and it is now hustling between 40 and 50 dollars.

“Actually, I felt like absconding because 27 out of 36 states of the federation cannot pay salary and we know the lower income group they depend on salary to pay rent and to manage their families.’’

Cue out audio 1 (Buhari)

He expressed optimism that the country would emerge from the recession `vibrant and strong’.

President Buhari, who endorsed the report presented, said that strengthening the nation’s institutions was key to reducing poverty and engendering inclusive development in the country.

He, therefore, reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to the nation’s economic and structural imbalance.

Cue in audio 2 (Buhari)

“I am glad that the report presented today has given us reason to keep faith in our ability to overcome our challenges.

“There is no doubt that poverty, for decades, has been a major challenge to us as a nation despite the country’s enormous wealth.

“Several policies and programmes that have been implemented over the years, as rightly observed by the report, have not broken the cycle of poverty in Nigeria.

“From the findings of the research by the participants, it is evident that strengthening our institutions is key to reducing poverty and engendering inclusive development.’’

Cue out audio 2 (Buhari)

President Buhari stated that his administration would continue to implement people-oriented programmes as part of deliberate efforts at reducing poverty in the country.

According to him, it is impossible for his administration to ignore the poor, whom he said, contributed immensely in ensuring electoral victory for the APC-led Federal Government.

Cue in audio 3 (Buhari)

“It is impossible for this administration to ignore the poor who made great sacrifice to bring us to government.

“Ours, more than any other government in the history of Nigeria, is a people’s government.

“We, therefore, must and we will keep faith with the people.

“It is in this light that I wish to declare the commitment of this administration to the Sustainable Development Goals, most especially to ending extreme poverty in Nigeria.

“It is not going to be easy, but we are committed to dealing with the challenges in a decisive manner.’’

Cue out audio 3 (Buhari)

The President noted that the report prescribed some concrete measures on how to reduce poverty in the country.

He commended NIPSS for “keeping faith and moving us towards a better society.

“The Institute, even with the limited resources, was able to come up with such policy-oriented research findings.’’

He assured that the Federal Executive Council would carefully study the report and implement all the practical recommendations.

In his remarks, the acting Direcor General of NIPSS, Mr Jonathan Juma, noted that a lot could be done by the institute if more robust budgetary support was extended to it.

According to him, for the institute to operate as an “apex institution” and be at the forefront of relevant researches in furtherance of national development, it is required to recruit and retain top level academics, very senior technocrats, and other experienced specialized experts.

“At the moment, I must confess to you that the national institute is operating below its conceived capacity due to its inability to attract a full complement of requisite staff, who would conduct research across broad strategic areas of national life and also impact new knowledge.

“The financial situation of the national institute is precarious.

“The payments for utility services are in arrears and worse still, we have to live with threats of litigation from numerous creditors.

“Operational vehicles in the institute’s fleet have aged and are a source of constant embarrassment,’’ he said.

Juma, therefore, called for a decisive presidential intervention that would make funds available to the institute. (NAN) SYC/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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EFCC arrest man for land racketeering in FCT

NAN-H-37

Arrest

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested one Abdullahi Rilwan for engaging in land racketeering in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the self-acclaimed building engineer was arrested on Oct. 31.

He said Rilwan’s offence bordered on operating a land racketeering syndicate, criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of classified documents, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering.

“Operatives of the EFCC had as part of investigation into the $2.1 billion arms procurement fraud, visited Kuje.

“The visit was in connection with several properties in the area suspected to be proceeds of money laundering,’’ Uwujaren said.

He added that investigations revealed that Rilwan was the owner of a filling station and a shopping complex both still under construction located along Pegi road in Kuje.

The EFCC spokesman said the commission’s operatives also gathered that Rilwan was in charge of the construction work.

He said though Rilwan denied ownership of the station, he confirmed being the engineer in charge of the construction work and the owner of the shopping complex.

“He also told operatives that he was the owner of two companies, Kaibo Oil and Gas, and Kaibo Properties, but could not account for the source of wealth.

“A visit to his office, however, revealed that he was involved in several shady and suspicious business transactions,’’ Uwujaren added.

This revelation, he said, made the commission’s operatives to beam their searchlight on Rilwan’s business activities.

The search, he added, unearthed several implicating documents in his custody, many of which he used to sale plots of land and other properties.

He said properties recovered from Rilwan’s residence included letter-head papers in the name of Kuje Area Council and an “Irrevocable Power of Attorney” in favour of Air Commodore Bassy Inyang.

Uwujaren said a “Right of Occupancy” document granted to Henryville Farms, Abuja, was also recovered from his residence among other implicating documents.

He, however, said that the filling station and the complex were currently under investigation, adding that Rilwan would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded. (NAN)

EEM/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-17

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Transactions at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dipped by 0.66 per cent on Thursday, with major equities recording losses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dangote Cement topped the losers’ table, shedding N2.57 to close at N172.43 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of N2.14 to close at N142.86, while Ashaka Cement lost N1.19 to close at N11.07 per share.

NASCON dropped 39k to close at N7.61 and Ecobank Transnational depreciated by 38k to close at N9.80 per share.

Consequently, the market capitalisation which opened at N9.35 trillion lost N61 billion to close at N9.29 trillion.

Also, the All-Share Index dipped 178.72 points or 0.66 per cent to close at 27,044.36 points as against 27,223.08 achieved on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Zenith Bank led the gainers’ chart with 29k to close at N15.10 per share.

PZ Industries came second with 25k gain to close at N18 per share and NAHCO improved by 10k to close at N2.70 per share.

Honey Well Flour gained 9k to close at N1.23 per share and Mansard Insurance garnered 5k to close at N1.98 per share.

May and Baker was investors delight, exchanging 23.43 million shares worth N20.62 million.

It was followed by Sterling Bank with an exchange of 8.31 million shares valued at N7.29 million and Transcorp, which traded 8.31 million shares worth N7.73 million.

Access Bank transacted 7.89 million shares valued at N44.75 million, while Fidelity Bank sold 7.05 million shares worth N6.26 million.

In all, the turnover volume closed lower as investors staked N2.36 billion on 112.52 million shares in 2,684 deals.

NAN reports that the transaction record was in contrast with 202.71 million shares worth N1.26 billion achieved in 3,337 deals on Wednesday. (NAN)

JNC/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-49

Warning

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Enema Amodu, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT|) specialist, on Thursday warned Nigerians against picking their noses with a finger as the act could cause inflammation of the nose.

Amodu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Nose-picking is the act of extracting nasal mucus with one’s finger. Medically, this is referred to as rhinotillexis.

He also advised mothers to desist from the habit of sucking mucus from the nostrils of their children.

Cue in audio

“Some people have this habit of picking the nose too frequently. Adults and even children do it and that’s not good.

“Sometimes when you have mucous tried up in the nose it could attach so adhesively to the skin in the nose and when you pull it out it can provoke bleeding. So it is not good to pick your nose.

“And to mothers, who have this tendency of sucking out catarrh from the child’s nose trying to clear the child’s nose, I say that is not a good thing to do.

“Whatever comes out (of the nose) just wipe it nicely with tissue paper or whatever you have that is meant for that.

“It is also advisable that you do not poke tissue into the nose because it has the same effect like you trying to pick your nose (with the finger).

“You don’t poke things into your nose; you do not poke cotton buds into the nostrils of newborn babies.

“This are other ways of provoking inflammation and sometimes even sinusitis.

“There are some tissues in the nostrils – the erectile tissues – which perform the function of optimizing the air that goes into the nose and into the lungs eventually.

“They could be the ones responsible for the obstruction.

“So if you think its catarrh and you blow so hard it can actually provoke bleeding too.

“So blowing of the nose too hard is not advisable. If something trips out just wipe it gently or blow the nose gently.’’

Cue out audio

According to the specialist, because the nose is the body’s primary organ of smell and also functions as part of the body’s respiratory system, it should be properly taken care of.

“When you sneeze, you have secretions like catarrh coming out of the nose and sometimes you get a blocked or stuffy nose. That is one way the nose tells you something is wrong.

“Or if you are exposed to things in the air that you are allergic to and you have these symptom too often, it means that your nose is trying to tell you something,’’ he said.

The doctor, therefore, said that avoiding things that cause irritation was one way of caring for the nose.

Amodu said that having frequent bouts of catarrh could be a sign of a more severe condition.

“Sometimes when you have frequent bouts of catarrh or nose bleeding or catarrh mixed with blood occurring in children, that can pass as severe inflammation.

“But in adults above 40 to 50 years old, you should have a doctor look at you because some very serious conditions can come as ordinary catarrh.

“So it is not enough to say catarrh is my usual illness; you should have a doctor check it out because it can actually be something worse like cancer,’’ Amodu said.

The doctor also advised people to avoid inhaling strong chemicals and odorant such as insecticides and fragrances as they have the capacity to damage the nerve responsible for receiving smell in the nose.

He also advised the public to ensure that their rooms are always properly ventilated after using insecticides to guard against infection while sleeping.

“When you inhale this strong odorants it can actually burn the nerve and sometimes it is irreversible.

“Insecticides can irritate the nose and affect the olfactory nerve if it they are very strong,’’ he stated. (NAN)

OKE/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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