Blog

NAN-H-41
Oversight
Maiduguri, Nov. 3, 2016(NAN) The Senate Committee on Special Duties on Thursday, expressed shock at the perennial water shortage in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri.

Alhaji Kabiru Gaya, a member of committee told newsmen shortly after the inspection visit in Maiduguri, that the senators were also surprised at the lack of proper medical facilities at the IDP camps.

“We have seen some water shortages in the camps and we know that we have made provision in the budget for lots of money to cater for the provision of water and health care facilities.

“So we need to see more presence of the Ministry of Water Resources and Health in these camps,” Gaya said.

He, however, commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for living up to expectations.

“NEMA is doing well; we appreciate what it is doing.

“I think there is the need for the ministries, where we noticed shortcomings, to be on the ground,” Gaya said.

He also advised the Borno Government to explore the possibilities of involving IDPs in its planned massive reconstruction of liberated communities.

“From our interaction with the people, they want to be accommodated in the process of reconstructing their homes, either as labourers or even on their own.

“What some of them want is for government to allocate building materials for them to embark on the reconstruction on their own.

“Simply put, the people want to be empowered in the process.”

Speaking Earlier, Sen. Abdulaziz Nyako, the Chairman of the committee said that the visit was aimed at getting first hand information on the living condition of the IDPs.

“We came here just to see things for ourselves, we met the state governor and we also went round some IDP camps.

“Our visit basically is to see how we can help improve their living conditions in the camps,” Nyako said.

He added, “The IDP camps are massive, some with up to 21,000 people; these camps are just like some villages.

“We are trying to see how we can solve some urgent needs in the camps to make the IDPs happy.”

Nyako said that the committee was also concerned about the return of the IDPs to their homes at the end of the Boko Haram crisis.

“We are trying to see how IDPs can return home; how we can rehabilitate them so that they can return to their normal life.’’(NAN)
ABI/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Maharazu Ahmed
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NAN-AE-10

Fertiliser

By Ginika Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The West Africa Fertiliser Association (WAFA) has called on ECOWAS member countries to invest in local fertiliser production through collaboration with the private sector in their various domains.

The Vice President of the association, Mr Innocent Okuku, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Okuku said that although the sub-region is blessed with abundant raw materials for fertiliser production, such raw materials were either being underutilised or wasted.

Cue in audio

“There are a lot of raw materials for fertiliser production in West Africa that nobody is using today and yet we go to outside West Africa to import products that we could produce from the raw materials we have.

“How can African countries, governments push investors to invest in these kinds of products so they can be producing the products for West Africa instead of importing them.

“It will create more jobs, a more stable economy. So, these are the things that WAFA is looking at.’’

Cue out audio

According to him, Nigeria uses more than 50 per cent of the fertiliser imported to West Africa even though only 1.4 million of the 64 million small-holder farmers had been reached by the fertiliser subsidy programme of the Federal Government.

Okuku, however, expressed optimism that investment in the fertiliser value chain by the private sector will enable rural farmers to improve harvest.

The vice president also appealed to West African governments to establish cross-country rail systems and water ways to aid transportation of fertiliser and to reduce its cost in the market.

He called for the establishment of a sub-regional fertiliser programme to make the product reach every farmer in the area.

WAFA is an association of all private sector players in the fertiliser industry from all ECOWAS countries with a common platform to address issues related to fertilisers in the West African sub region.

ECOWAS fertiliser programme mandates all member countries to appoint fertiliser inspectors and other authorities and give them adequate resources. (NAN)

GINI/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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Okuku’s audio .mp3

NAN-HG-11
Immunization
By Rabiu Sani Ali
Kafinhausa (Jigawa), Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA) on Thursday said it had inoculated over 90,000 children against poliomyelitis in Kafinhausa Local Government Area of Jigawa.

Alhaji Abdullahi Sarawa, the Immunization Officer in the area, stated this while reviewing report of the exercise in Kafinhausa.

Sarawa said that the children were administered Oral polio Vaccines and antigens against other child killer diseases in the exercise conducted between Oct. 15 and 19.

He said that the exercise recorded remarkable success and attained effective coverage, which exceeded the targeted population of 89,000.

He noted that the agency supplied 95,000 doses of vaccines which facilitated smooth conduct of the exercise.

Sarawa added that the council also deployed over 300 health workers and provided 90 cartons of candies to entice children to come out for the immunisation.

The immunisation officer commended the council, communities and religious leaders for mobilising participation in the exercise.

According to him, the agency has commenced preparations for the next round of immunisation exercise in the area.

Sarawa reiterated the government commitments toward total eradication of the disease and enhancing quality healthcare at the grassroots. (NAN)
RSA/IKU/IS
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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-13

Youth

Osogbo, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has urged youths to do things differently in order to make their mark quickly in the society.

Aregbesola gave the advice in a statement by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday.

“We are focusing on youths in this state; we engage them and discuss regularly on things that affect them.

“No government will neglect people of this age bracket because they are very central and critical to the society.

“That is why we provide for them to participate in one way or another in our programmes and policies.

“Youths are crucial to governance because of the huge deposit of potential they have to actualise things easily.

“All I want to advise them to do is to be creative and innovative in whatever they engage in.

“It is by doing things differently that they can quickly make their marks in the society,“ he said.

Aregbesola said his administration had provided different avenues for youth engagement in governance.

According to him, such avenues include the creation of Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and Youth Empowerment Scheme –Technology (OYESTECH).

He said his administration had also established the Osun Job Centre, as a way of creating a data base of unemployed youths across the state, so as to train them to be employers of labour.

The governor urged youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunities to develop themselves.(NAN)

VE/MOL/SOA

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Oluwole Sogunle
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NAN-H-39
Strike
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State) Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Mohammed Akaro-Mainoma, on Thursday urged the state government to release the N200 million Earned Academic Allowance owed lecturers of the institution, to avert strike.

Akaro-Mainoma made the appeal when members of the State Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology paid an oversight visit to the institution.

He said the university had in May signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to pay the remaining 20 per cent of the allowances by December.

The vice chancellor said that the MoU made the lecturers to suspend their three-month- old strike on May 31.

He also spoke on efforts made by the university to upgrade its facilities.

“The Nasarawa State Government and the institution, through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), had done a lot in developing this school.

“As you can see, some projects are completed while others are ongoing.

“We have constructed lecture theatres, library complex, completed the Mass Communication complex among others.

“We are also happy to inform you that 17 courses have been fully accredited.

“But our problem is that we paid only 20 per cent out of the 40 per cent total EAA owed lecturers.

“The agreement is that by December, we will pay the remaining 20 per cent, which is about N200million, to avert another strike.

“Another disturbing matter is the review of the law setting up the university, to conform to the 2003 Act, as obtained in other public universities.

“Also of importance is the speedy completion of the three blocks of hostels under construction, in the interest of the students, and to improve learning,” he said.

Akaro-Mainoma urged the committee for provision of special intervention funds to the university, to offset outstanding arrears of academic and non-academic staff, to ensure peace and overall development of the school.

The vice chancellor advised the state government to agree with unions on isssues that are practicable and implementable, to avoid unnecessary strike.

Earlier, Mr Daniel Ogazi, Chairman of the committee said the visit was not to witch-hunt, but enable the committee assess the 2016 Budget performance of the university.

“It is only when the committee knows the budget details or performance of the institution in the 2016 fiscal year, that it will serve as a guide for the 2017 fiscal year,” he said.

The lawmaker assured the institution that the committee would push for solutions to some of its challenges, to enhance academic excellence.(NAN)

AKW/FLP/MZA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-AE-3
Trader
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), on Thursday warned road side traders in the FCT to quit or risk arrest and prosecution.

Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, Acting Director of the board, gave the warning when board members visited Utako Market, Abuja on an environmental sanitation in Abuja.

Olanipekun said that the road side remained an illegal place for trading, adding that the act constitutes a lot of nuisance to the public in the FCT.

“Traders are not supposed to trade on the walk way, it causes traffic and makes it difficult for people to move freely.

“You can see what we`ve been doing here, clearing to make sure that the area is clean and healthy.

“My advice to the traders is that, they should not be here.

“We don’t want to use force and we have never used force even if they want to do anything, we are asking them to imbibe the culture of cleanliness.

“They drop waste any how and they are not supposed to be where they are, in view of the fact that they constitute a lot of nuisance.

“So we are begging them to leave the walk way, if they insist, we will take them to the court,’’ she said.

The acting director said that the board was at the market at exactly 5.30 a.m. with some policemen to ensure that the exercise was effective.

‘’We are here this morning to ensure that the market is clean and healthy for people to do their businesses.

“This is to ensure that one of the mandatory goals of AEPB is fulfilled,’’ he said.

She said that the board wrote a letter to the leadership of the market ahead of the exercise, the reason is to inform it of the exercise.

Olanipekun said that the board also embarked on sensitisation of the traders, informing them about the exercise.

Mr Godwin Okoh, a trader, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, denied that the board informed the trader about the exercise before embarking on the cleaning.

Okoh said that some of them could not afford to pay for shops because the rent was on a high side and the shops had been occupied.

He, however, called on FCT administration to come to their aid by providing an environment that would be conducive and affordable for traders. (NAN)
VOE/DUA/AFA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Felix Ajide
=========================

NAN-H-15
Resolution
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Some politicians on Thursday said that using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to settle political conflicts, as suggested by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, will save money and time.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that litigation would be expensive and time-consuming.

Wike had last week said that ADR would allow more time for governance, reduce bickering and cost and time spent in tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

He made the suggestion when the executive members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators paid him a courtesy call in Port Harcourt last week.

Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of National Conscience Party, said that ADR would be useful in resolving all political conflicts.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution is good for all cases; electoral matters can be resolved through it, instead of legal technicality that can lead to miscarriage of justice.

“I will suggest that it be appropriately established for election disputes; it is a standard practice in Lagos State judiciary,’’ Onovo said.

Prof. Lai Olorode, a former National Commissioner of INEC, also told NAN that ADR was a good way of settling political disputes.

He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the leadership of Prof. Attahiru Jega, established an ADR desk which later became a full department.

“Alternative dispute resolution is in tandem with our culture; it is cheap and saves time. It is also convenient.

“The challenge is the political class which covets court drama,’’ Olorode said.

Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, the 2003 Presidential Candidate of African Renaissance Party, said that the governor’s suggestion was welcome.

“However, we should ask ourselves as Nigerians why we have so much electoral disputes.

“Is it as a result of any genuine and patriotic competition to serve our motherland, or is it as a result of competition to position ourselves to loot our resources?

“What we should be talking about is how to ensure that no matter who is elected into any position, opportunities to loot our resources are totally eliminated or at least radically reduced,’’ Ndu said. (NAN)

LED/FF/IGO
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-9
Theft
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Two persons on Thursday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing compressors of air conditioners at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).

The accused, Banjo Peter, 40 and Pascal Chinedu, 23, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Peter, an engineer who lives on Olowoporoku Street, Mofoluku in Oshodi, and Chinedu, an apprentice, who resides at Ikotun Road, Idimu, are accused of stealing compressors worth N750,000.

The prosecutor, Insp. Joe Egbo, told the court that the accused committed the offences at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, at about 10.00 p.m on Oct. 27.

He said that the accused conspired together and stole A/C compressors, property of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Egbo said that the accused, who are staff of Electrint under FAAN, were caught by a team of aviation security officials attached to MMIA.

“The accused were arrested on the third floor at the open bay of the MMIA and could not give satisfactory account of the stolen items,” the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.‎

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Badejo Okusanya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 and one surety each in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Nov. 25 for trial. (NAN)

LAW/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-F-1
Fish
Beijing, Nov. 3, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN) An estimated 250,000 tonnes of fish died in a river in central China’s Hubei province overnight, with fishermen saying polluted water from a pig farm upriver could be to blame, the report said on Thursday.

It said that most of the fish were raised by fishermen inside large floating cages in Shanfong fish pond in a river in Jiangli County.

“100 per cent of the fish have died,” a fisherman said.

The fish farm had 33 cages and total losses could reach 1.6 million dollars, the fishermen said.

Polluted waterways are a major problem in China.

In the spring of 2013, an estimated 10,000 dead pig carcasses were found in Shanghai’s Huangpu River over a period of two weeks, with another 4,600 carcasses found upstream in Jiaxing, 100km further south-west.

While China has almost 20 per cent of the world’s population, the country contains only 7 per cent of the world’s freshwater.

At least one-third of China’s lakes and rivers are unfit for human use, according to a recent study by the International Water Association.(dpa/NAN)
OYE/OFN
Edited by Damilola Oyewole