Blog

FG targets 180, 000 farmers to plant wheat, rice in Jigawa – Official

NAN-AE-4
Farmers
Dutse, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government says it is targeting no fewer than 180,000 wheat and rice farmers in Jigawa for the 2016/2017 dry season.

The State Director, Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), Malam Ahmad Labaran, disclosed this in Dutse on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Labaran said 90,000 farmers were targeted for wheat production which would commence in Nov. 2016; while 90,000 farmers were targeted for rice production in early 2017.

He explained that the Federal Government would provide seeds, fertiliser and herbicide to the farmers at subsidised rates.

The director added that each farmer would be given three bags of fertilisers – two NPK and one Urea (50 kilogrammes).

He stated that each farmer would be given 50 kilogrammes of seeds and two and a half litres of herbicide.

“This is because wheat is cold-loving crop, so it has to be planted between November and December while the rice can be delayed to early 2017.

“And for the seed, a farmer will pay 25 per cent while the Federal Government will pay 75 percent.

“But for the rest, a farmer will pay 50 per cent while the Federal Government will pay 50 per cent, “ he said.

He, however, told NAN that the ATA office would advise the Federal Government to reduce the numbers of farmers on wheat and add to those who would cultivate the land for rice.

The director stated the inability of ATA office to obtain 90,000 farmers to plant wheat.

“But unfortunately we could not get 90,000 farmers, so we will advise the government to reduce the number and add to rice farmers because we have them in abundance, “ the director said.
MNB/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-38
Fraud
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday admitted an estate surveyor,  Jamilu Manga, to bail in the sum of two million naira for allegedly defrauding a man of rent of N3.7 million.

The Senior Magistrate, Nuhu Tukur, who granted the bail, also ordered the defendant to produce two reasonable sureties within in like sum.

Tukur said that the sureties must reside with the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case till Nov. 26 for hearing.

Manga is facing a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Onyiola Alex, said that Ibrahim Suleiman of Garki, Abuja,wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police in FCT on Oct. 19.

Alex said that sometimes in August the defendant deceitfully collected N3.7 million from the complainant as part payment for the two years rent.

He said that the defendant promised to get the complainant a four bedroom duplex to rent at zone D, Apo, Abuja.

He said that the since then the defendant diverted the said money for his personal use and had been avoiding the complainant.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)
UMD/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-37
Media
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Mr Emeka Ejide, publisher of ‘Market Voices’ newspaper, Awka has called on the Federal Government to give bailout to print media to save it from extinction.

The publisher, who made the call while speaking with journalists in Awka on Wednesday, said this would reduce the rate at which papers fizzle out of existence.

He said that many of the print media houses could no longer pay salary of their workers due to the prevailing economic recession in the country, adding that organisations had played significant roles in the match to the Nation’s Independence.

“Since Nigeria attained independence, the print journalism sub sector has suffered heavy harassment and intimidation from the hands of those that benefited from the struggles it helped to achieve,’’ he said.

The publisher added that many journalists could no longer meet the expectations of shaping the society and setting agenda due to harassment and harsh environment.

“Because of the hazardous operational environment, particularly during the military regimes and emergence of capitalist owners, newspapers lost their mission of giving voice to the voiceless and became propaganda machines.

“It is unfortunate that due to this lack of focus, journalists are now next to beggars because the capitalists refused or cannot pay their salaries,” he said.

Ejide said his newspaper, an open market based publication, was conceived to connect the government and people with the goings on in various markets.

The publisher said that Nigerian market had been under-reported in spite its crucial role in the economy.

He, however, expressed hope that buyers and sellers would become more aware as the paper hoped to inform them on events in Onitsha, Lagos, Kano, Aba, Ibadan and markets across the country.

“We recognised that the people in our markets have been contributing their quota towards the building and development of the Nation.

“The Market Voices hopes to put this issues in front burner and help shape our market structure. We believe that by grace of God, we shall not go the way of others,’’ he said. (NAN)
APC/DUA/IS

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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-36

Forum

Bida, (Niger) Nov.2, 2016 (NAN) Members of a socio-cultural group, the Bida Forum and other related associations in Niger, have advised   Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh not to circumventing due process in his ministry.

 The Chairman of the associations, Dr Umar Saganuwan, gave the advice when speaking   with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bida on Wednesday.

He said the minister should follow due process in recruiting persons into government agencies and parastatals in the ministry of agriculture.

‎ Saganuwan said that the call was necessitated by   the long silence by the ministry in appointing a substantive Head   of National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badegi.

 He explained that for about two years now, the institute’s affairs ‎were being managed by acting directors.

 “The Nupe and the entire people of Niger in general are appealing to the minister to appoint somebody from Nupe ethnic group to manage the affairs of the institute.

“We are deeply concerned that eight months after the successful interview for the position of the NCRI head, there has been undue silence over the release of the result.”

He, however, advised the Federal Government to ensure that the vacancies in the institution were filled forthwith. (NAN)

MNO‎/DO/MO: Edited by David Onilede/Morayo Omolade

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NAN-H-17
Trends
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Bobrisky widely known as ‘Africa’s Male Barbie’ was top on Google search this week, an official said on  Wednesday.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos.

He said that the search was from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.

“Top trending searches on Google this week went from a fashionable man with a different dress sense to a search for a chemistry, which is neither a subject nor love bond.

“Bobrisky, ‘Africa’s Male Barbie’ became a search interest this week after a presidential aide pulled off from a new media conference, because he could not share the stage with the social media sensation.

“Bobrisky had earlier dominated Google search some months back, for cross-dressing, use of makeup and stories of highlife with a secret ‘bae’, Kola-Ogunlade said.

He said that multi-talented musician, Falz the Bad Guy and beautiful songstress Simi, recently released an Extended Play (EP) titled “Chemistry” to also be of search interest.

“The duo has been a search item on Google in the past not just for their past collaborations, but for some perceived lovey-dovey chemistry that they continue to claim does not exist,” he said.

Kola-Ogunlade added that there were searches as regards the PDP candidate for the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo.

The Google manager said that in the entertainment industry, Iyanya, the Kukere crooner, had jumped ship.

“The ‘Kukere’ crooner, Iyanya, recently made a stealthy move when he dumped his label, MMMG, where he was artist and partner to join Don Jazzy’s Mavin Record.

“The popular entertainer and superstar will be joining other musicians like Tiwa Savage, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Dr Sid and Dija on the label,” he said.

Either to learn about the history of Halloween or to just enjoy a feel of how people are celebrating the day in other parts of the world, many Nigerians took to Google, Kola-Ogunlade said.

He said that they searched for gossips, pictures and video on the day, which was originally meant for the celebration of departed faithful.

He said that some other trending topics on Google search for the week included the news that the Nigerian Federal Civil Service had listed over 90 jobs including Department of Petroleum Resources.

He said that the senate’s resolution to celebrate national heroes and bring history back to the curriculum were equally of interest.

“For some reasons, the word “November” earned some fascination for many, as well.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google. (NAN)
CAN/IGO
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ELS-7
Artifacts
By Vezi Isike
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Azubike Okoronkwo, the Chief Executive Officer, Royal Roots Promotion International (RRPI), on Wednesday called for an urgent inventory of national and local museums’ pieces to curb theft.
Okoronkwo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this was because of the alleged theft and secret sales of the nation’s cultural treasures to the rest of the world.
He also called on government to further protect the artifacts by enacting laws that would punish offenders.
The government should also upgrade the sector to discourage perceived illegal exportation of the antiquities, he said.
“Stakeholders should be enlightened on the need to sanction those who indulged in stealing museum assets as this will ensure restrictions on sales and trafficking of these treasured assets to foreigners.
“It is bad to learn that some of our forefathers exchanged our traditional ways of life with the white man’s religion which is currently disintegrating and causing serious rift between our people.
“These foreigners came to show us the best way to live by their own standard only to engage in the trafficking of our artifacts out of our borders, “he said.
Okoronkwo commended the Archaeological Association of Nigeria (AAN) in its fight against the vice and urged for more efforts.
He alleged that museums in other parts of the world had continued to be part of the illicit trade of our artifacts because our museums were not properly fortified.
“If the theft of our cultural heritage continues few decades from now, we will be left with nothing to portray our culture,” he said.
Okoronkwo also called on government to relocate artifacts from less secured museums to national museums for safekeeping.(NAN)
VOI/DUA/PAD
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Edited by Dada Ahmed, controlled by Peter Dada

NAN-H-33
Rape
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) An Egor Magistrates’ Court, Benin, on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N250,000 each to two accused persons for alleged rape of an 18-year-old girl.

The two accused persons, kelvin Ogiede, 24, and Bamidele Ighele, 25, are facing a two-count charge bordering on rape.

The Magistrate, Mrs Igho Braimoh, admitted them to bail after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Braimoh ordered the accused persons to produce a surety each in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be a civil servant on grade level 15 and above, and adjourned the case till Dec. 7 for hearing.

Prosecutor Osayomwanbor Omoruyi had told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on Oct. 23, at Ighoshodin Secondary School Area of Benin.

Omoruyi said that the accused persons conspired among themselves and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.

The offences contravened sections 516 and 358 of the Criminal Code. (NAN)
AJOM/DEB/OFN
Edited by Debo Oshundun

NAN-H-16
Poll
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Some politicians on Wednesday appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do its best to conduct a free, fair and credible Ondo governorship election on Nov. 26.

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the parties also urged political parties and voters in the state to promote a peaceful and violence-free election by abiding by the rules.

The Lagos State Chairman of Action Alliance, Mr Shola Omolola, hoped that INEC would be impartial in the conduct of the election.

“I expect INEC to conduct a free, transparent and credible election and, most importantly, be impartial to all parties.

“Once this is done, the confidence of the people will be restored. Voters should play by the rules of the game,’’ Omolola said.

He also urged security personnel to be more vigilant.

Alhaji Musa Umar, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Kano Chapter, urged INEC to strengthen its partnership with security agencies for maximum peace during the election.

“INEC must enhance its collaboration with security agencies to ensure that political miscreants are kept at bay in order to achieve a peaceful election.

“In spite of the tension on the impending election, I am confident that the electorate will troop out to elect the best candidate in a bid to ensure their change aspiration,’’ Umar said.

Chief Martin Onovo, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of National Conscience Party, also urged INEC to collaborate fully with security agencies.

“We know that there are cases of insecurity; INEC should arrange with security agencies for sufficient security during the election.

“It is very easy to conduct election especially the ones like that of Ondo which is not happening in the cycle of general elections,’’ Onovo said.

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Conscience Party, Mr Fatai Ibuowo, however, called for postponement of the election to ease tension.

“For the election to be peaceful, INEC needs to postpone the election to bring down the tension in the state and allow PDP to settle internal crisis.

“INEC must also be seen to allow a level playing ground as the umpire.’’

He urged voters not to sell their voting rights by voting for a wrong candidate. (NAN)

LED/IGO
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(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-15
Zakkat
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee says it disbursed over N251 million as alms to the poor between 2013 and 2015.
The Committee Chairman, Malam Lawal Maidoki, disclosed this at an event marking the 10th anniversary of Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III as the Sultan of Sokoto.
Maidoki said that the money was collected from 85 districts of the state by the Coalition of Islamic Associations.
He commended the state government, the Sultanate Council and the Coalition for ensuring the success of the committee.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who was represented by Magajin Rafi, Alhaji Rilwan Bello, commended the Coalition for its dedication toward the success of the Caliphate.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Mani Maishunku, lauded the gesture and urged scholars to ensure peaceful coexistence among Muslims and non-Muslims in the state.
NAN reports that the event was attended by various Muslim associations, including Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Women in Da’awa and Sufi Movement of Nigeria.
Others were the Jama’atul Izalatil Bidi’a, Islamic Schools Association, Muslim Sisters Organization, National Council of Muslim Youth Organization and Da’awa Council, among others. (NAN)
MNB/BRM/ASS/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-10
Contract
By Boboye Moronke Tinuola
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016(NAN) A self-styled Lagos prophet, 52-year-old Amos Ojo, who allegedly collected N800, 000 from a man on the pretext of executing a project, is to enjoy temporary freedom as he was released on a N300,000 bail.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling on Wednesday, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum.

The accused, who lives at Waheed Ogunseye Street, Meiran, on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, is being tried for obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Insp. Rachel Williams, were committed sometime in January at 25, Capitol Road, Agege, Lagos.

“The accused collected N800,000 from a man, Muyiwa Awoleku, to execute a contract project for him.”

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs L. Y Balogun, adjourned the case to Nov. 14 for mention.(NAN)
MTO/KOO/DA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Dele Akinsola