Blog

NAN-H-2
Minerals
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Nov.  3, 2016 (NAN) Mr Ken Kayama, a Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has identified the solid minerals sector, as the most viable alternative in diversifying the nation’s economy.

He made this remark on Wednesday in Katsina, when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State.

Kayama said that investigations by the RMAFC revealed that each of the 36 states of the federation had at least one type of solid minerals and in most cases, in commercial quantities.

“However, a lot is needed to be done by both the Federal and State Governments to reposition the sector to enable it to achieve the desired objectives.

“That is because the sector contributes less to the Federation Account, in spite of the high number of mining leases granted to companies and individuals across the country,’’ he said.

The RMAFC commissioner noted that for places as Katsina State, which had many registered miners, the revenue generated by the sector between 2007 and 2014 was N58.1 million.

According to him, this is rather insignificant and as a result, what is paid to Katsina State as 13 per cent derivation is just N8.5 million.

Kayama said that the situation could be attributed to either the licensee companies are not fully operating in the sector or they are not paying appropriate fees to the State Government’’.

He said that the commission’s visit to the states was to encourage State Governments to register and monitor the activities of companies operating in their domains, so as to improve their Internally Generated Revenue.

The commissioner said that the commission would also obtain relevant information on the number of mining leases issued to each operator, their expiry dates, mineral type and the amount of fees paid, as well as royalties due to the state.

In his remarks, Masari said that the state was blessed with some abandoned mineral resources, which could assist the state to diversify its economy.

Masari, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said that the State Government was open to advice on how best it could harness such resources and develop its economy.

“We give more emphasis to agriculture and the solid mineral sectors because Katsina State is blessed with both agricultural produce and solid minerals,’’ he added. (NAN)
ZI/PIO/PIO/YEMI

Edited by Idonije Obakhedo

Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-30
Fuse
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) An Evbouriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Thursday sentenced a 33-year-old man, Ibrahim Samuel, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing six electrical fuse and five lengths of Copper wires.

The Magistrate, Mrs C.E Oghuma, sentenced Samuel after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of stealing.

Oghuma gave the convict an option to pay N30,000 as fine in lieu of the term in prison.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Olatoye Oluwaseun, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on Oct. 23, at Isiuwa Str., Off Upper Sakponba, Benin.

Oluwaseun said the property belonged to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

He said the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Edo State. (NAN)
AJOM/AOS/OFN
Edited by Bayo Sekoni//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-HE-1
Electricity
Lagos, Nov. 3, 2016, (NAN) The management of EKO Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDCP) on Thursday said it would soon publish the names of energy theft customers within its network.

Mr Oladele Amoda, the DISCO Chief Executive Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the company was losing over 30 per cent revenue to energy theft monthly.

Amoda said it was surprising that educated customers constituted the bulk of energy thieves within its network.
He said that they were supposed to understand the essence of paying for electricity consumed, but instead, they engaged in stealing electricity.

According to him, most of the energy theft customers caught stealing energy without paying were elites living in enlightened areas of our operations.

“We are going to start publishing the names of energy theft customers within our operations in the dailies.

“Most customers caught engaging in energy theft live in lkoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and most high brow areas,” he said.

Amoda said that some of them engaged in by-passing of meters, reconnection without payment and tempering with meters among other acts.

He said that activities of the energy thieves and vandalism within its network cost the company over N1 billion monthly.

“In order to monitor our network effectively for fault detection, clearance and track energy theft, the company has awarded contract to automate the network.

“We have introduced specialist software to be used for the supervisory control and data acquisition of customers and faults.

“This is an industrial automation control system at the core of many modern industries to track defaulters and clear technical issues within the network,” he said.

Amoda also said that the company had awarded contract to enumerate customers within the network and to bring in new ones.

He said that though, the exercise would be carried out in phases, every area would be covered at the end.

Amoda said that officials of the company had already embarked on a house-to-house inspection in designated locations for the commencement of the exercise.

He urged to customers to cooperate with the duly identified officials.

The EKEDCP chief reiterated the company’s commitment to promoting cordial relationship between it and its customers through prompt attendance to all complaints and grievances by customers.

He said that every area and community was vital to the attainment of the company’s corporate goal.

Amoda lauded Lagos State Government for providing assistance in various forms to the company, and for the offer of land to construct injection substation for a combined capacity of over 140 megawatts. (NAN)
YO/ECN/GOK
Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-DS-1

Vandals

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than five persons suspected to be high tension aluminium conductor cable vandals have been arrested by the police in Emene near Enugu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rolls of the cables and pliers used in carrying out their deeds was recovered from the vandals.

The Enugu Police Command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told NAN on Thursday in Enugu that the vandals were caught in the act at Thinkers-Corner in Emene.

“The vandals, who are already helping the police in its investigation, were nabbed by our eagle eyed operatives at the wee hours of Monday in Thinkers-Corner axis of Emene close to Enugu.

“Information revealed that the suspects had allegedly vandalized the cable from one company located at Thinkers-Corner axis of the state,’’ he said.

He said that the names of the vandals are Ibrahim Azamu; Yusuf Anano; Justice Michael; Prince Jessy and Sadiq Isah.

Amaraizu, however, urged members of the public to report any unauthorised person tempering with public installation anywhere in the state to the nearest police station or post. (NAN)

OJI/IS/

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

CBN’s N213bn electricity intervention fund: N90.4bn yet to be disbursed –ANEDC

NAN-HE-11
Intervention
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Association of  Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (ANEDC) has said that a balance of N90.4 billion of the Federal Government’s intervention fund for the power sector is yet to be disbursed.

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers Committee in 2014 announced a N213 billion Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) for the power sector.

The N213 billion facilities launched on Nov. 18, 2014, was to help offset the legacy gas debts, address revenue shortfall in the sector and improve electricity  supply to Nigerians.

The facility, which was part of the initiatives to support the reforms in the power sector, was to be repaid within a 10-year period by beneficiary operators in the industry.

With over N120 billion already disbursed in tranches to sector operators by the CBN there were about N90.4 billion to be disbursed according the ANEDC.

On why the sector was yet to record a significant improvement in spite of government interventions, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the ANEDC, Mr Sunday Oduntan, said the Federal Government had quite supportive.

Oduntan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that given the current electricity market shortfall and the envisaged further shortfalls, the  balance of N90.4billion yet to be disbursed would not address the huge shortfalls.

“When Government say fund has been made available to operators, it is true, but what people need to know is which fund, how much, what is the funding gap.

“We are not saying government is not making an effort, for example the major intervention fund that we had was a loan given by the CBN administered by the Federal Government.

“ Uptill now, they are still disbursing and not everybody has received it.

“As I am talking to you the balance that are yet to be disbursed is N90.4 billion that is the balance of NEMSF.

“It is  supposed to be NEMSF 1 and NEMSF 2, but we are still on NEMS 1, that is yet to be fully  disbursed.”

He said that the facility from the CBN and the huge debts own DISCOS by government agencies constituted part of the deficit in the balance sheet of the DISCOS.

According to him, the electricity market will experience further shortfalls.

Oduntan said that efforts should be made to save the sector through the injection of more funds.

“By the end of December, the total short fall will be N809.8 billion that is the industry short fall for the entire value chain.

“When you have these shortfalls, like this, monies that are ought to be paid and remain in the sector are not there.

He said the shortfall cannot be shifted to the electricity consumers in the form of increased tariff, adding that consumers could not afford to pay for a higher tariff with N18,000 minimum wage.

“ We will be deceiving ourselves if we the DISCOS think we can do something about it. The only thing that we can do is that government must look for a way of helping the sector further.

He said the stopped N309 billion bond that government planned to float would go a long way to help in addressing the  huge market  shortfalls in the sector. (NAN)
KC/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-1
Film
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to partner with Japan and France to develop the movie industry through animated movies in line with its diversifying the economy.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, said this on the side line of the second edition of the Animated Film Festival organised by the Japanese and French Embassies in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that government was set to partner with japan and France to build the capacity of the country’s movie industry.

“What we have seen here is another genre of movie making and I am sure we will be able to partner with both Japanese and French embassies in the capacity we are building for our movie industry.

“We agreed to work together because the Japanese are developing this animation industry quite tremendously and they promised to partner with us again in capacity building.

“With technology in the movie industry, the potentials are limitless,” he said.

French Ambassador to Nigeria Denys Guaer explained that animated films had become an important part of the movie industry globally, adding that it created jobs and promoted the images of countries.

Gauer said cooperating with Nigeria in that sector would give more visibility to animated films in the country, which he noted, “has still not been developed”.

“Animated film is very well developed in many parts of the world that is why we organised this festival with the Japanese Embassy, bringing Japanese and French production and screening them here in Abuja.

“Animation in France occupies a lot of people and in Japan it is a trademark.

“So, you see how important it has become even for the image of modernity and of creativity of a country and at the same time it is a business.

“It brings in money and there is a new market to occupy in Nigeria; that is why we want to make it more visible and cooperate to develop that segment in Nigeria.”

He also added that the country’s history and culture could be promoted through the art of animated movies.

Earlier, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Sadanobu Kusaoke said that “the animated film festival is a good starter” of cultural cooperation between both countries.

Kusaoke further said the three countries could share experience they had in the movie industry.

“I hope this (the festival) can start a trilateral exchange in animated film and creation among Nigeria, France and Japan.

“I am sure there is much we can learn from Nollywood’s and Nigeria’s filmmaking,” he said.

This second edition of the Animated film festival will close on Nov. 5 and will show French, Japanese and Nigerian animated films.

The festival will include some short film screenings and a panel discussion in partnership with some Nigerian animation studios based in Abuja. (NAN)
TOP/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-119
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) A Canadian company has offered to sponsor the training of no fewer than 3,000 Nigerian film makers on animation, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed disclosed on Wednesday.

The minister disclosed this at the opening of the French, Japanese and Nigerian animated films festival in Abuja.

Accordding to the minister, the Canadian firm, Toon Boom, will teach the Nigerian youths in animation technology.

”The firm will provide what is industry grade certification and tools so that those Nigerians can compete for global work. The firm works for Disney, Nickeledeon. It is Nigerians who will do the actual training. It’s a train the trainer and certification programme similar to what happened in India”, he said.

” On the whole we envisage 5,000 Nigerian youths being trained. But we are starting with 3,000″, he added.

Mohammed said that his ministry was also collaborating with the French government on capacity building for Nigerian film makers also in the area of animation and children films.

He noted that as prolific as Nollywood was, the industry had not done too well in the area of animated and children film.

He said that the country had the potential and huge market for animation and children films if they were well developed.

Speaking also at the event Denys Gauer, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, said that animated films was still rare in Nigeria in spite of being the second largest film industry in the world.

“Having this in mind we should not forget the fledgling Nigerian animated industry, Nigerian animated movies are still rare despite being the second largest film industry in the world.

“There is a dearth of animation and children movies although Nigeria is well known for its talent, imagination and creativity.

“More animated studios are opening in Abuja and Lagos. But this sub-sector is still facing some challenges.

“It is the reason why, we have decided with our Japanese partners to dedicate one of the four evening to the animated industry in Nigeria.

“It will include some Nigerian short film screenings and a panel discussion in partnership with some Nigerian animation studios.

“I wish to thank the company EVCL and Shrinkfish Media, for their cooperation in organizing this dedicated night which will be held on Friday,’’ he said.

According to him, to further strengthen the relations between France and Nigeria a workshops with facilitators from Europe would be organised in 2017.

“The Instutit Francais will organise a program on animation, that will include workshops with facilitator from Europe Animation School such as Les Gobelins in Paris; but also meetings with experts in international co-production, large audience screening and more to strengthen the sector,’’ he assured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the second edition of the animated film festival was scheduled from Nov. 2nd to 5th in Abuja. (NAN)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-F-16

New York, Nov. 2, 2016 (PANA/NAN) The Paris Agreement to address climate change, adopted by world leaders in December 2015 at the Climate Conference in Paris (COP21), will officially enter into force on Friday.

According to a statement that was issued on Wednesday by the UN, the agreement would be reached before the opening of COP22 in Morocco, between Nov. 7 to 18.

It said that “the entry into force of the Paris Agreement will mark the beginning of a new chapter for humankind and demonstrates that countries are serious about addressing climate change.

It quoted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as saying: “to commemorate this historic day for people and the planet, I have invited representatives of civil society groups to a conversation with me at the UN headquarters.

“This meeting will provide civil society groups with the opportunity to share with me how their organisations will contribute to the objectives of the Paris Agreement, as well as their visions and concerns.

“The strong international support for the Paris Agreement entering into force is a testament to the urgency for action,” he said,

Ban said that it will reflect the consensus of governments “that robust global cooperation, grounded in national action, is essential to meet the climate challenge. Now we must move from words to deeds and put Paris Agreement into action.

“We need all hands on deck and every part of society must be mobilised to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to inevitable climate impacts.

“The Agreement provides that it shall enter into force 30 days after 55 countries, representing 55 per cent of global emissions, have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or accession with me,” he said.

According to the statement, so far, 73 countries and the EU have joined the Agreement, exceeding the 55 per cent threshold for emissions.

Ban said that the requirements for entry into force were satisfied on Oct. 6.

“When Austria, Bolivia, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Nepal, Portugal and Slovakia, as well as the European Union, deposited their instruments of ratification with me.

“These countries were the latest to join the Agreement, following New Zealand, India, and the 31 countries which joined on Sept. 21 during the General Assembly at a special event,’’ he said.

In early September, the world’s two largest emitters, China and the U.S., joined the Paris Agreement, providing the impetus for other countries to quickly complete their domestic ratification or approval processes.

Ms Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said: “the entry into force bodes well for the urgent accelerated implementation of climate action.

“It is now needed to realise a better, more secure world and to support also the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said. (PANA/NAN)

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-S-11

Seminar

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Ruth David, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) Head of Women Football, has expressed her delight at the turnout of eminent persons in Nigeria football at the FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP) seminar.

This is contained in a statement by Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s spokesman and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

David also hailed the quality of presentations at the second module of the FIFA FLDP held in Abuja on Tuesday.

“I’m really very happy at the fact that the resource persons not only honoured our invitation but also did extensive research to make for quality presentations.

“The NFF leadership were there in full force to underscore their total support for the programme,” she said.

NAN reports that FLDP is part of FIFA’s portfolio of women’s football development programmes for the period 2015-2018.

It was launched in 2015 to ensure that there are female role models and women at decision–making levels in football.

The FLDP aims to identify, support and develop strong female leaders in sport, while advocating for women to access senior decision –making positions globally.

NAN also recalled that David was among 35 women football administrators worldwide selected for the FLDP, and has attended two modules at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick was on hand to declare the seminar open, with some words of challenge to women football players.

The NFF 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, who chaired the technical session during the first seminar in August, repeated the role with grace and candour.

At the first seminar, FIFA’s Head of Professional Football, Mr James Johnson, delivered a paper on ‘The Concept of FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme’.

Also speakers at the workshop were Hon. Ayo Omidiran, Former NFF Board Member, Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi, Director of Federations and Elite Athletes department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, and CAF Match Commissioner, Aisha Falode

They challenged Nigeria women football players to take education as serious as they take the game of football.

Omidiran spoke on ‘Education and Self Confidence among Female Football Players in Nigeria’ while Kulu-Akinyemi dwelt on ‘Job Opportunities Open to Educated Sports Women’.

Falode talked on the possibility of combining football with formal education, while Ukaigwe, a former Coordinator of the U17 Women National Team and the Super Falcons, related her experience as a team official.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi; Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen and Chief Onyedinma were among eminent persons in the auditorium.

Apart from the players of the Super Falcons and the Falconets, there were also players of NWFL clubs Nasarawa Amazons, Capital City Doves and State House Queens, as well as secondary school girls from within the FCT. (NAN)

VO/IS

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

FIFA enlists Nigeria on DTMS

NAN-S-10

Tool

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been enlisted on the Premium Services of the world governing body, FIFA DTMS (Domestic Transfer Matching System) and Intermediary Regulations Tool.

Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s spokesman, via a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said the NFF had become the first governing body of the game in the African continent to achieve this feat.

“We are the only African country with these services activated.

“By December 2016 (next month), we will be on the FIFA Connect that will place us among the elite FIFA Member Associations with all the Premium Services activated,” NFF’s Club Licensing Manager, Nasiru Jibril said.

A screenshot of the Nigeria home page on the FIFA website shows the two services (Domestic Transfer Matching System and Intermediary Regulations Tool) ticked in green.

The last one (FIFA Connect) is expected to be done next month to make Nigeria activated in all Premium Services.

Jibril also said that the TMS (Transfer Matching System) workshop will hold Nov. 15 to Nov.17 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Jibril, who is also a former Nigerian international, noted that the workshop was mandatory for all clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria National League.

“The Head of Legal Services at NFF, Barrister Okey Obi and myself, alongside four resource persons from FIFA TMS, will train all the clubs in the use of the Premium Services activated in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

VO/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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