Blog

NAN-HE-21
Zone

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Oyo State Government and China Polaris Group are to establish $2billion Polaris Pacesetter Free Trade Zone (FTZ) at Ibadan-Lagos express way in the Oluyole local government area of the State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ground breaking of the two billion dollars project was performed on Tuesday.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said that 1,000 hectares had been provided for the first phase of the FTZ which would gulp 500 million dollars.

“Today, we are not just performing the ground-breaking of the Polaris- Pacesetter FTZ. We are indeed breaking new grounds in the industrialisation of Oyo State.

“This serves as our contribution to the injection of the much needed antidote for the recovery of the ailing national economy.

Ajimobi described it as a game changing project which would have a lot of multiplier effects in repositioning the state, which was the gateway to the North and East of Nigeria.

He said the FTZ would be the industrial hub of the country and West Africa with tremendous potentials for employment generation, wealth creation and technological advancement.

According to him, the fastest way to growth and development is through industrialisation. The industrialisation should be built on the template of the Asian Tigers.

“This FTZ is our injection into reviving the ailing economy of the country. The future belongs to those that prepare for it today.

“So, we are preparing for a beautiful future for the economy of the state. It represents our future and milestone in our strategic development of repositioning of the state.

“We will complement the FTZ with parks in every part of the state.”

Mr Zhang Wendong, the President of China Polaris Group, said that automotives, solar energy, building materials and lots more would be manufactured at the FTZ, which would begin as soon as possible.

“About 8,000 manufacturers will be brought to Ibadan. Ibadan will be free from epileptic power supply in two to three years through the solar energy to be manufactured at the FTZ.

“The FTZ to be completed soon will make the state economically viable”, he said.

Miss Zhang Xuemie, the head of Chinese government delegation, said the government of China was in support of the project, adding that she was optimistic that the state will be a better place in the nearest future.

Dr. Mufutau Raheem, the Project Facilitator, said 120 factories had registered interests in the first phase of the project, adding that FTZ would the first of its kind in Africa.

There will be an automotive hub, where 15 automotive companies will assemble cars, buses and trucks and likewise have a sister FTZ in China.

“The FTZ would be a manufacturing hub, where electronics and healthcare products will be manufactured. So, creative and animation industry and integrated logistics are hosted,” he stated. (NAN)

TAA/IEA
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Edited by Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-100
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Wednesday morning.

NiMet made the prediction in the Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Tuesday.

It said that isolated thundery showers would prevail over few areas such as Lokoja, Makurdi, Bida, Ilorin and Abuja during evening and night hours with night time temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.

The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with possibility of localised thunderstorms over Calabar and Ikom axis.

It also predicted prospects of localised thunderstorms over Akure, Oshogbo, Owerri, Enugu, Benin, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Lagos and Eket in the evening and night hours with night time temperatures of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius.

According to NiMet, northern states will experience sunny skies over Maiduguri, Kano, Gusau, Nguru, Sokoto, Katsina and Gombe with night time temperatures of 35 to 39 degrees Celsius.

“Clear sky condition is expected to prevail over the Northern cities while the Central cities down to the coastal areas may experience isolated cases of weather activities,’’ NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-HE-18

Tax

Kano, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government said it had recovered N480 million unpaid tax on installed mast from mobile telephone service providers in the state.‎

The state governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, disclosed ‎this in Kano on Tuesday while inaugurating six vehicles procured by Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) for its staff at the Government House.‎

The governor said that the recovered amount was part-payment of the providers’ debt to the state, and that they promised to settle the balance as soon as possible.‎

He said that the recovery of the money was made as part of the government’s desire to reform the operations of the revenue agency.‎

He revealed that internal revenue generation profile of the state had increased to N3 billion monthly, adding that people of the state were also cooperating with KIRS in payment of taxes.

Ganduje expressed satisfaction with the new management of KIRS and urged them to strive hard in order to achieve the state’s target of N10 billion monthly revenue.‎

Earlier, KIRS Chairman, Sani Dambo, said that they purchased four Toyota Hiace and two Toyota Hilux vehicles with the five per cent allocated to the agency by the state government.

He said that the recent amendment of the revenue law by the state House of Assembly, which gave KIRS autonomy, had motivated the staff to work diligently. (NAN)

MNT/‎OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-106
Youths
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Rev. Tor Ujah, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has enjoined youths to participate in the nation’s quest for freedom from economic hardship.

Ujah made the call during a courtesy call by the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the nation was only enjoying political freedom but had yet to achieve economic independence.

According to him, if this nation will be free, the youths must rise up because it is a battle of ideas and not a battle of guns and knives.

“I will like all of you to participate in Nigeria’s match to freedom because Nigeria is independent as political nation but the country is to yet free.

“We face many bottlenecks, bondages and chains and that is why we have the economic crisis that we have.

“Our bondage shows in our local affairs and in our international linkages but the battle for freedom is a battle for the youths.

“All those who are using guns and knives are weak because weakness brings violence but strength brings ideas and I want Nigerian youths to get involved in developing ideas.’’

Ujah  suggested a youth development conference where NCPC and the council could dialogue, create and set up the template for certain actions.

He pledged that the NCPC would support Nigerian youths and provide more opportunities for youths to participate in Christian Pilgrimage at cheaper rates.

The executive secretary advised youths to engage in developmental programmes that would showcase their strengths, stressing national development needed the strength of the youths to thrive.

“I have written letters and I am in dialogue with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bank of Agriculture, the Bank of Industry and a few of other institutions, asking them to set aside a fund.

`We want to directly invest this fund in our youths, especially those who want to get involved in practical development ventures that may not be a traditional direction everybody is expecting.

“I want all of you to carefully begin to conceive and to make a brief of some development projects you think you would like to engage in.

“Every young man and woman is an asset to this nation and I would like our nation to value our youths and to give them attention instead of exploiting them.

“I want every Nigerian youth to know that they are the strength of this nation because without your strength, this nation will go nowhere,’’ he said.

Earlier, the National President of NYCN, Mr Murtala Garba, commended the commission for its youth programmes especially in the area of youth pilgrimage and agricultural skill acquisition.

Garba said the purpose of the visit was to identify with NCPC on those programmes, adding that Nigerian youths were faced with so many obstacles in their quest for advancement.

He, however, urged the NCPC boss to pay more attention to youths in the area of opportunity to participate in the pilgrimage to the Holy land. (NAN)
OYS/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-105

Qualifier
By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports, says Super Eagles will make Nigerians proud in the forthcoming Russia 2018 qualifier against Algeria.

Dalung told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that in spite of Algeria’s position in the current FIFA ranking, Nigeria’s Super Eagles would defeat them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that Algeria is placed 36 in the current FIFA world ranking.

“We have never, in the history of football, played with Zambia and won; but we defeated Zambia in their home.

“So, that has set the tone of how determined we are to go and we are not at all intimidated by any ranking.

“As far as this particular competition is concerned, we are determined to face anybody irrespective of ranking; let the match determine the ranking”, he said.

According to Dalung, the players have demonstrated that they are determined to win and make the nation proud.

“I believe that they will still make us proud but we will need to ensure that their welfare is catered for.

“We won’t leave room for excuses because one of the problems we had in the past is players not being paid their bonuses or allowances.

“There is a change from this particular tradition; the team will be given all allowances as we did the last time”, he said.

The minister urged Nigerians to support the team to succeed, adding that “we cannot afford to lose the ticket.”

NAN reports that the Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said that all ground work and logistics needed by Coach Gernot Rohr to ensure success of the Eagles had been provided.

NFF had also said the team’s quest to secure the maximum three points in the encounter depended on the players commitment and doggedness to fly over their opponent at home.

The NFF had also said that it had settled all grey areas that could hinder the Eagles from coming out victorious in the encounter.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles will host the Algerian team on Nov. 7 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom for the 2018 World Cup qualifier. (NAN)
DE/HAS/IEA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-HG-14

Campaign

By Mustapha Yauri

Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga, has urged tasks Family Planning Advocacy Group to take its campaign to rural communities and slums.

Onanuga gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday when he received the Local Organizing Committee of the 2016 National Family Planning Conference.

According to him, holding the conference in Abuja would be elitist as most of the people in need of the enlightenment live in rural areas and slums.

Cue in audio

“When we tell them God will not come and take care of them; that they have to take care of themselves and make sure they don’t have too many kids, they don’t understand what we are talking about,

“That is why I said the campaigns have to be taken more to the rural areas and even slums within urban centres where people are just breeding.

“When I tell people that in Europe or America you find an average family having one or two kids or so and that it is not that they don’t love kids the way we love kids, but because they are looking at how to train those kids and they are looking at their future and other reasons.

“And that is where the challenge is.’’

Cue out audio

The NAN MD also urged the group to revive the `one family four kids campaign’ to increase awareness on the need for family planning and reproductive health services in the country.

He also reiterated the commitment of the agency to supporting the campaign in the country.

“On our part here, we shall be ready to support you.

“We are ready to do anything you want us to do for you to further project the campaigns to news frontiers.

“NAN is the biggest news agency in Africa. We have about 500 journalists and we are the main news provider for all newspapers, TV, and radio stations in the country.

“80 per cent of their content is from NAN,’’ he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the local organising committee of the conference, Dr Ejike Orji, said the group was at NAN to announce to the world that a national conference on family planning was coming up.

According to him, the conference is held once in every two years.

He stated that 50 international partners and 40 NGOs will work closely to ensure that the conference succeeds. (NAN)

AM/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Onanuga’s audio

(more…)

Al-Makura lauds Army for restoring peace in Nasarawa State

NAN-H-103
Peace
By Muhammad Baba Busu
Lafia, Nov 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has commended the Nigeria Army for their role in keeping peace in the state and country in general.

Al-Makura gave the commendation when the delegation of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai visited the government house, Lafia on Tuesday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation was led by Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Bala-Abubakar, Head of Administration, Army headquarters, Abuja, shortly after the inauguration of the Command Science Secondary school, Lafia.

According to him, government do not have enough words to thank the military for their efforts in keeping peace in Nasarawa and the country at large.

Al-Makura said that the Nigeria military has played a significant role in keeping the peace and unity of the country.

“I want to express our gratitude and appreciation for giving us peace and great sense of security.

“Nasarawa state is now the most peaceful, courtesy Nigeria Army and we will do everything possible to support the military,” he said.

The governor said that the school will not only bread the horizons of young talents, but also harnessed the potential of our future scientists and experts for the development of humanity.

Al-Makura further pledged to continue to provide all necessary support and collaboration to achieve the vision of the school.

He also promised to provide a standby power generating machine within one week to the schools to make the environment viable for learning.

Earlier in his remark, representative of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Bala- Abubakar, said the visit is to appreciate the governor’s gesture for donating land, commitments and supports for the construction and inauguration of the first military command science secondary school in the country.

He noted that the school was initiated to produce best scientists in the country.

He said that out of the 150 pioneer students 130 were indigenes of the state while 20 were from outside the state to promote integration and cohesion among future generations. (NAN)
BAB/AFA
Editing by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-101
Pilgrimage
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Rev. Tor Ujah, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), said the commission would launch the 2016 Christian Pilgrimage on Nov. 17 in Yola, Adamawa State.

Ujah disclosed this while inaugurating the 2016 Pilgrimage Security Committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the commission had decided to decentralise the launch to parts of the country, adding that Adamawa was considered because of its high number of pilgrims this year.

“Adamawa was chosen because NCPC wants to deregulate it, take it out of the capital and to take it round the country and to Adamawa in particular.

“This year, Adamawa has the highest number of pilgrims in the country.

“We want to encourage them because they are from the North-East and from a troubled area.

“And yet with that kind of massive work, we want to encourage the people and government. Next time, it may be another state,’’ he said.

The NCPC boss said that the inauguration of the security committee was part of the commission’s resolve to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage and overcome incidences of absconding pilgrims and other security issues.

He urged that the committee would use its experience to develop structures of knowledge and information on how to operate a crisis-free pilgrimage devoid of absconding, misrepresentation and bad name to Nigeria.

Ujah said the commission would like to enthrone a good name, adding that NCPC believed the committee could  provide the enabling tools to achieve that.

“ Finally, I will like, as God’s chosen people, to believe in this country and to propagate the virtues and values of this country and to stand on what this country has to offer.

“Nigeria, as a nation, has the duty to protect its citizenry everywhere they are globally; whether living in those places illegally, they are Nigeria’s responsibility and the government of Nigeria recognizes this.

“Being an agent of government, we have a duty of ensuring the protection and support for all Nigerians wherever they go, especially at the time we are moving people in thousands for pilgrimage.

“We have a great responsibility to ensure that everybody is safe and provided for and at each level; we are going to heighten it.

“We have brought people from all the service arms; from the Navy, the Army, Air force, DSS, Police, Immigration and Customs, including retired generals because we want the best for Nigeria,’’ he said.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Tsehamba (rtd), said the committee would ensure that the 2016 pilgrimage recorded the desired success in terms of security.

Tsehamba added that the necessary security tools and information required for a crisis-free pilgrimage would be provided to guide the commission in recording achievements devoid of security issues.

The committee members included the representatives of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Department of State Services (DSS), Air Force, Police, Immigration, Customs and two retired army generals. (NAN)

OYS/OIF/NKO

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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

NAN-H-97

Bail

By Wandoo Sombo

Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) A defendant, Amarachi Enyinnaya, on Tuesday, broke down in tears in a Federal High Court, Abuja, after the court refused to admit her to bail.

athe court, however, remanded her in Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC) custody.

Enyinnaya and four others, Abuchi Anthony Igwe, Kelechi Iwuoha, Obioma Nwagu (at large) and Blessed Obialo Nig. Ltd., are standing trial on a 12-count charge of alleged money laundering and impersonation.

One of the charges preferred against Igwe was that he had in his possession documents concerning false details that he was the wife of the late Col. Gaddafi and was looking for where to invest some money.

Igwe, who is the 1st defendant, was also accused of impersonating one Stella Jones, a United States soldier serving in Afghanistan, who had found some money during a raid and wanted to invest.

Another charge against the defendants was that they allegedly took proceeds of an unlawful act, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the money Laundering Prohibition Act.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and the judge, Justice Okon Abang, said he would enter a not guilty plea for the company.

Counsel to Igwe, Mr O.C Ezeofor, asked the court to grant the defendant bail saying that he had filed the bail application before arraignment because the charge had already been served on the defendant.

Mr U. Agubam, counsel to Iwuoha, prayed the court to allow him make an oral application for bail.

Enyinnaya’s counsel, Mr E.O Nwafor, asked the court to order that she continues to enjoy the administrative bail that was already granted to her by the EFCC.

He appealed that if the court was not inclined to make such an order, rather than remand her in prison, she should be remanded in EFCC custody as an alternative.

This, he said, was to enable her to take care of her baby whom, he said, she was still nursing.

The Prosecuting counsel, Mrs Elizabeth Alabi, opposed the bail application for Igwe saying that it was an abuse of court process to apply for bail before arraignment.

Alabi said that the case was a criminal one and that every criminal case commenced at arraignment, “so every process must be filed after arraignment”.

On the oral application by counsel to the 2nd defendant, she said that the prosecution was not open to an oral argument and prayed the court to make an order for a written bail application.

Alabi earlier prayed the court to remand the defendants in EFCC custody but later changed that to prison custody.

Abang, in a bench ruling, struck out the 1st and 3rd defendants’ application for bail for incompetence and also refused the oral application of the 2nd defendant.

He asked Counsel to file written applications for bail saying that the court would give an early date before the commencement of trial to hear the applications.

He also ordered that the defendants should be remanded in EFCC custody saying that this was the original intention of the prosecution and that suggesting prison custody was an afterthought.

He adjourned the case till Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 for commencement of trial. (NAN)
WS/HAS/OFN

Edited By Hajia Sani//Felix Nwadioha