Navy
Mbo (Akwa Ibom) Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Naval Ship, (NNS) Forward Operation Base, Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, has arrested three Cameroonians and a Nigerian with 66 drums of suspected stolen petroleum products
The suspects apprehended included Kokah Ekema, 38; Money Francis, 27; Nako Otto, 25, and a Nigerian, Who-Knows Nya, 30 years.
Navy Captain Siyanbade Adedokun, the Commanding Officer at the base, presented the suspects on Tuesday before newsmen in Ibaka.
Adedokun said that one Cotonou wooden boat equipped with two 40 horsepower outboard engines had also been seized from the suspects.
“The more we patrol, the more we make the maritime environment safe for legitimate business to thrive.
“It is a very strategic place to police so that we won’t have people from neighbouring countries coming to perpetrate illegality in the country,” Adedokun said.
He decried act of sabotage being carried out by some criminal elements on the economy of the country.
Adedokun attributed the success recorded by NNS Forward Operation Base to frequent patrol of the nation’s waterways and creeks.
He warned oil bunkering operators, pipeline vandals and sea pirates within the maritime environment of Nigeria to refrain from the nefarious activities.
The Commanding Officer later handed over the suspects to the Akwa Ibom command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The state commandant of the NSCDC, Obiagulu Obiageli, who received the suspects from the navy, lauded the Nigerian Navy for effective policing of the waterways.
She noted that the achievement of the Navy would help to sustain legitimate business activities within the maritime area of the country.
Obiageli, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of the corps, Victor Uweh, said that NSCDC would carry out investigation on the suspects and those found culpable would be prosecuted. (NAN)
IE/BB
Edited by Felix Ajide
===============
Senate committee urges NESREA to use resources judiciously
NAN-AE-17
Oversight
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Chairman Senate Committee on Environment, has advised the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to ensure judicious management of its budgetary allocation.
Tinubu gave the advice when members of the committee paid an oversight visit to the agency on Tuesday, in Abuja.
She said that the aimed of the visit was to familiarise with the staff and management of the agency.
The senator added that the visit was also to charge the agency to be more diligent and focused in its operations.
Tinubu said that the visit was basically to assist in solving challenges that were beyond the agency`s control, which might have been affecting its service delivery.
According to her, we need to work together to enable the agency achieve its goals and objectives.
“NESREA has been with us and we will continue to encourage its effort to enhance better service delivery.
The senate chairman urged NESREA to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that it achieve its mandate.
She also advised the agency to discuss it challenges with the Federal Minister of Environment, adding that the ministry was in a better position to support the agency.
Speaking earlier, Dr Lawrence Anukam, Director-General of the agency, said that the major challenge of the agency was lack of funds to enhance its operations.
According to him, the office we are using right now is a rented apartment and the agency cannot even afford to pay for the rent, we need our permanent office.
“As you can see the office is small, we are squeezing ourselves in this rented apartment, so we need your support,’’ he said. (NAN) VOE/AFA
Edited by Felix. Ajide ================
NAN-H-120
Disruption
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) There will be disruption of water supply in Phase 4 and 2.1 in Kubwa Satellite Town of Abuja from Nov. 1 to Nov. 5., Mr Hazat Sule, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sule explained that “the disruption is due to the damage done to the main distribution line on Phase 4 Bridge, Kubwa by a vehicle.
“The residents of Phase 4, 2.1, Owner Occupier, 2.1 Extension 3, Army Scheme, Gindin, Dutse, NEPA Road and District Centre will experience water shortages.
“The water shortage will be between the above mentioned periods as the FCT Water Board carries out emergency repair on the damaged supply line.’’
The Administration regreted any inconveniences the disruption may cause the residents and advised them to store enough water that will last for the period.
KM/IEA
=======
NAN-H-119
Beggars
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Oluwatoyin Olanipekun, the Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said AEPB and the Task Team on Environment have raided a hideout of suspected beggars and scavengers in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Olanipekun said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, adding that weapons such as
knives, daggers and cutlasses were seized from the hideouts.
She said that the combined team of the AEPB and the Task Team on Environment were on routine operation when they carried out the raid.
The director added that all those arrested during the clearing operation were handed over to
police for investigation and further necessary action.
She explained that begging and scavenging activities in the Federal Capital City remained
prohibited, and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted at the Sanitation Mobile Court
if arrested.
“There have been cases of stolen manhole covers and scavengers have been the prime suspects of the crime, which necessitated the FCT Administration to ban their activities in the city.
“The AEPB, the Ministerial Task Team and other security agencies in the FCT will soon commence full enforcement and prosecution,’’ she said.
Olanipekun called on residents of the FCT to give useful information to security agencies “to ensure that miscreants and criminal-minded persons are exposed and dislodged from the city.”
She assured that the AEPB would not relent in its efforts to ensure that the FCT environment remained clean and protected for the benefit of residents. (NAN)
KM/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)
NAN-ELS-5
Winner
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Miss Mildred Uffeh has emerged the winner of Face of Independence (FOI) 2016 in the sixth edition of Pageant held in Abuja.
Miss Uffeh represented Lagos at the pageant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cynthia Iheanacho emerged as FOI International, while Frances Okoh as (FOI) North-West, Lydia Ekang, (FOI) Nigeria-South and Jennifer Rapheal, (FOI) Nigeria-East.
Among prominent persons honoured for their contributions to nation building are Senator John Owan Enoh, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, the footballer John Fashanu and Alhaji Adamu Candido, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area council and Nollywood star, Tonto Dikeh Churchill.
Enoh got the honour for being an outstanding government representative in sustainable development.
Gov. Ben Ayade bagged outstanding performance in governance award while Fashanu was recognised for his outstanding role model in youth empowerment.
Candido bagged the award for philanthropic services. Tonto Dike Churchill was honoured over charity projects, among others.
Ms Catherine Eriom, the Chief Executive Officer of FOI, said the pageant which started in 2011 was born out of the need to create a platform whereby the girl-child will stand as a voice and a bridge between the old and the young.
“It is also aimed at impacting on the lives of people in the society through Poverty
Alleviation Projects.
“We are looking at an ambassador from the pageant who will be able to communicate with the President and governors to exercise prerogative of mercy to release some prisoners on Independence day (Oct. 1).
Little Miss Nigeria Chisom Sabastine, under the umbrella of Nigerian Children Ambassadors, an initiative of Mr Stephen Osadebay, was also awarded the outstanding African Beauty Queen in charity projects.
High point of the event was a comedy and music performance from Maddragon Entertainment and various upcoming artistes. (NAN)
CMY/JEO/HA
============
(Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)
NAN-ELS-4
Love
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Mr Nsikak Essien, a visual artist, said his art works were aimed at preaching God’s unconditional love for mankind.
He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of “AGAPE II, A Solo Exhibition of Nsikak Essien” in Abuja.
The artist said “God loves his children unconditionally.
“I decided to commit my life, creativity and painting in trying to reassure man that God actually loves them and using painting to open their eyes.
“There are things that man will probably overlook about the love of God toward him or her; that’s what my painting is all about.”
On the impact of his painting on man, the former art lecturer of Institute of Management Technology, Enugu, said some people don’t believe that God loves them.
He explained that because people don’t realise and had the confidence of love of God in their lives, they don’t love other people.
“Such people hate, become tribalistic, bias and fear other people.”
The former lecturer said the starting point of life should be at the realisation that God loves mankind.
He added that “go to the Bible and look at the people that God showed love to; you will realise that their lives change automatically.”
Essien, who said that the economic situation in the country had driven younger artists into survival mode, advised them to “use your arts to be able to make money to survive.
“But the point is that art is not actually a meal ticket, but it can be if an artist decides to make it so.
“But in doing that, it will mean the artist is committing his or herself to another civil service job; that is, to be like an employee doing nine to five job.
“That will be a waste because artists can actually say more with just one art; you can use your art to change the society and even change the way people think.”
He called on younger artists to find a course to support and make sure they fulfill the mission that God sent them into the world to do through their arts.
Essien also commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo for the recent effort that brought together artists in Abuja in an exhibition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the “AGAPE II Exhibition” will run for three weeks at the International Institute for Creative Development, Maitama, Abuja.
NAN also reports that Essien’s collection are rich, thought-provoking and revolves around spiritual realities.
Some of his works have been featured in many exhibitions like “The Way”, “Big Bang Reality”, “Love Song/Love Story Series”, “Ultimate love” and many others. (NAN)
CMY/HA
========
(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)
NAN-H-116
ICT
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish the first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Nigeria within the next three months.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, stated this on Tuesday while featuring in a quarterly radio programme, Guest of the month, at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan Zonal Office.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister spoke on “Harnessing the Potentials in the Communications Sector for Sustainable Development.’’
Shittu said that the university would be an off-shoot of an existing ICT-based institute, The Digital Bridge Institute , currently in operation in six centres across the country.
“It is time to leverage on the bountiful opportunities in the Communications sector to generate additional revenue for government.
“We all know that ICT is now redefining how we live, how we deliver businesses and services in terms of government to government as well as between government and citizens,” he said.
He said that the university would be the first of its kind on the continent of Africa.
“We currently have what we call Digital Bridge Institute. It has six campuses- one in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Yola and in Benue state.
Shittu said that the present standard of education in the universities do not meet the needs of industry operators.
He said this informed the proposed upgrading of the Digital Bridge Institute.
The minister said the institute would become the ICT University in partnership with all the leading institutions in ICT throughout the world.
“I have had the privilege of speaking with a lot of operators throughout the world ,including Motorola, Mark Zuckerberg (FaceBook founder) and others.
“They have promised to partner with us and bring in a lot funding and logistics to be able to sustain such a university which will provide world class hands to train experts in telecoms industry,’’ the minister said.
He also said that he had embarked on administrative process to ensure that all the stakeholders were carried along in the establishment of the 21st century university.
The minister said that as soon as the process was completed, Nigerians would see the birth of the institution.
“This will be the fastest means to create employment for our teeming youths, improve access and enhance quality of service delivery and affordability in our country.
“I took a memo to Mr President on it and he asked me to get the input of the Ministry of Education and the National University Commission (NUC).
“I am glad to say that I got positive inputs from the two agencies and we are at the stage of going to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
“As soon as we get the approval of FEC, we will set up an implementation committee and within three months, we should be able to take off.
“The infrastructure are on ground because it is an existing institution that we are set to transform to the ICT University,” Shittu said. (NAN)
TAA/DO/OJO
===========
(Edited by David Onilede and Mufutau Ojo)
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Niger Delta stakeholders on Tuesday presented a 16-point request before President Muhammadu Buhari asking, among other things, for the restoration of peace in the region.
Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Council, confirmed this development to State House correspondents in Abuja after a meeting between President Buhari and the stakeholders from the region.
According to Diete-Spiff, some of the other demands border on the need to fast-track interventions on some of the indicative regional infrastructure, the Presidential Amnesty Programme, law and Justice as well as the need to reconsider the planned deployment of more armed forces to the Niger Delta.
He said the plight of Internally Displaced Persons, the Ogoni Clean-up and Environmental Remediation, the issue of Maritime University, Okerenkoko and security surveillance as well as protection of oil and gas infrastructure, were part of the demands.
Diete-Spiff said the stakeholders also presented the issues of the relocation of administrative and operational headquarters of oil companies to the region, power supply, inclusive participation in oil industry and ownership. Cue in audio 1 (Diete-Spiff)
“The 16-point included, generally whatever we say, infrastructure development, manpower and human resources and of course, you have the welfare of the people.
“These are the main things
“The locations of the oil companies, is one of the points that we pointed out.
“These IOCs (international oil companies) have their headquarters somewhere in Lekki or Abuja and even their operational headquarters are not within the area of their operations.
“This is not right because even the `pay as you earn tax’ is not coming to the region.
“The workers, nobody is engaged locally there; they just come and harvest and go away.
“The presence of the military, of course, you know, has been agitating the boys and that too we said it should be reversed.’’ Cue out audio 1 (Diete-Spiff)
Diete-Spiff assured that the people of the Niger Delta region remained committed to achieving peace and progress of the country.
He stated that the region had resolved to help the President Buhari-led administration to succeed.
He said, “our position, we hasten to add, takes full cognizance of the current parlous state of our economy.
“We would also like to assure you that we the people of the Niger Delta, as patriotic and law-abiding citizens, remain committed to the unity, peace and progress of this great country.
“Our resolve as leaders of the region, is to do all, within our power, to help this administration to succeed.
“In particular, is the urgent need for us to pull the national economy out of recession through a speedy solution to the spate of militant agitation.
“We are therefore, totally committed to creating the right environment, in our communities to ensure that the wealth, which God has placed in our own part of the country, continues to be available to the benefit of all.’’
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who also spoke at the event, said the Niger Delta stakeholders also asked for the review of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme and proper funding of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
He said the stakeholders also asked for business opportunities especially allocation of oil blocs to indigenes, and also some level of support for those who were displaced as a result of the activities of the militants in the region.
Kachikwu expressed delight that the involvement of traditional and community leaders had started yielding fruitful results.
He revealed that about 2.1million daily production of barrel of crude oil was achieved as of Oct. 31.
Chief Edwin Clarke, an elder statesman, said dismissed the insinuation that there had been rifts between President Buhari-led administration and the people of the Niger Delta region.
Clarke, who also spoke on president Buhari’s reaction at the meeting, said the the president was impressed and happy with the deliberation.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, who also briefed the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said the ongoing negotiations were largely about the future of the Niger Delta region.
He, however, condemned the criminality and destruction of valuable national assets by some militants in the region.
According to the governor, the people of the region are not agitating for withdrawal of security agencies safeguarding valuable installations and infrastructure in the region, as being insinuated in some quarters.
Cue in audio 2 (Okowa)
“It’s good that we understand the issue of military presence in the Niger Delta as separate from military occupation of communities.
“I don’t think that our elders are asking for the military to be withdrawn from the Niger Delta.
“That will create chaos.
“What they are requesting is that military presence or military occupation of communities should not be.
“But, the military presence will have to be there to ensure that we are able to attend to all forms of criminality and I think that there has been a lot of response from the Federal Government in that regard.”
Cue out audio 2 (Okowa)
The Niger Delta region has been witnessing social unrest, occasioned by the activities of militant groups, leading to cut in Nigeria’s oil output.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Maikanti Baru, was quoted as saying that “Nigeria lost over $7bn (around N2 trillion) to militancy and pipeline vandalism since the beginning of the year’’.
According to him, the supply disruptions have significantly affected the country’s oil exports. (NAN)
Nigeria can produce 150,000 tonnes of tomato paste, valued N32bn annually
NAN-AE-15
Tomato
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday said that the country has market volume of 150,000 tonnes of tomato paste valued at N32 billion annually.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shehu Ahmed, stated this in Abuja at a workshop organised by the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), in collaboration with Fadama III Programme for stakeholders.
Ahmed said that the national output has also been at the average of 1.7 million tonnes, while the demand was 2.4 million tonnes, with demand gap of 700,000 tonnes annually.
He added that the demand gap was always met through average annual import of 80,135 tonnes of concentrate and paste valued at N18 billion.
Represented by Michael Kanu, Director, FDA, the permanent secretary noted that the importation of tomato paste has applied enormous pressure on the country`s foreign exchange earnings.
Ahmed said over 10 tomato packing factories are located in Lagos axis, while only few fresh fruits processing plants are located in the North West and East.
He said that the factories were crippled by the absence of raw materials due to “tuta absoluta “ invasion and destruction of tomato farms in the country.
He explained that “tuta absoluta’’ known as “tomato ebola“ by local farmers, was pest that could destroy whole farms within 48 hours due to its complex life cycle.
“This resulted in the scarcity and high cost of fresh tomato fruits as well as shutting down of some processing factories in the country, “ he said.
The permanent secretary said that the workshop was aimed at ensuring increase in agricultural productivity by developing tools for the fruit and vegetable industry in the country.
Ahmed expressed the hope that that the workshop would impact knowledge and develop skills of farmers at the state level.
“The farmers learn the various strategies and management practices for control and containment of the invasive pest of tomato with emphasis on use of environmentally friendly technology, “ he said.
Ahmed, however, urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity and ensure that they utilise the skills and knowledge acquired as well as train other farmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmed was represented by Michael Kanu, Director, FDA. (NAN)
VOE/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
============================
NAN-DS-11
Arrest
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Nov.1, 2016 (NAN) The police in Ebonyi on Tuesday re-arrested a man, Christopher Ochuba, who escaped twice from police custody.
The spokesman of the Ebonyi State command, Mr George Okafor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspect, a motor-mechanic, was currently undergoing investigation.
Okafor said that the suspect attempted to kill a police officer, Francis Alozie, during his last escape bid by stabbing him on the shoulder.
He said that the suspect, who hails from Ogbo in Ivo local government, was arrested for stealing and detained at Ivo.
Okafor said that in the process of his detention, the suspect brandished a ‘jack-knife’ and attempted to stab the officer.
“He used the knife to threaten other officers at the counter and escaped into the bush in the process,” he said.
The spokesman noted that the police launched a manhunt for him and that a surveillance team sighted him in his mechanic workshop weeks later.
“The suspect was re-arrested and in the process of taking him back to the station, he brandished the same knife and stabbed the officer, Alozie in the shoulder.
“He escaped again but the officers pursued, re-arrested and took him back to the station,” he said.
The spokesman said that the suspect was demobilised while the wounded officer was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. (NAN)
RCO/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)