Blog

NAN-S-9
Baseball
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) To enhance baseball development, the Little League Nigeria, a baseball grassroots development organisation, on Monday said it had concluded arrangements to hold a clinic and a district tournament in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Ayodeji Owolabi, the body’s secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the clinic which was in partnership with the Oyo State Government would be in two phases.

Owolabi said that the clinic would hold from Nov. 3 to Nov. 13, while the second edition of the district tournament would run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 6.

He added that coaches from the U.S. and the Netherlands would enlighten their Nigerian counterparts on the latest techniques in the sport during the events.

“The aim of these upcoming events is to advance baseball development at all levels and increase participation in the sport.

“The resource persons that will be handling the clinic are well recognised by the Major League International for their contributions to the growth of the sport around the globe.

“The tournament will also avail the foreign coaches the opportunity to evaluate Little League players who will participate in the tournament.

“We have put the necessary machinery in place to ensure that everything works out as planned,’’ he said.

The secretary urged coaches and players to make good use of the programmes to improve their skills.

NAN reports that the Little League Nigeria is an afilitate of Little League International, a non-profit organisation which organises local youth baseball and softball leagues in the U.S., and the rest of the world. (NAN)
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Dada)

Ibaa youths commend Rivers Govt. over amnesty offer

NAN-H-26

Amnesty

By Azubuike Okeh

Emehuo, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Some youths in Ibaa community, Emohua local government area of Rivers, have commended the state government for granting amnesty to repentant cultists and others  youths in the area involved in violent crimes.

The youths expressed their gratitude to the government in separate interviews on Monday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Emohua, the council headquarters.

They said that the state government’s amnesty offer would bring peace and order in the communities.

One of them, Chikodi Akintola, told NAN that the government’s gesture signalled the return of peace to the once violence-ravaged community.

“We are happy to see our youths coming out to embrace peace and handing their arms over to the state government; it is a welcome development.

“My prayer is that further steps be taken to deepen the process so that permanent peace returns to the community,’’ he said.

A resident, Silas Akpenuchi, said that the amnesty offer had brought peace of mind to residents of the community who had lived in fear for a long time.

“I can see that people now have peace of mind; the fear that once enveloped the community has disappeared, ‘’ he said.

NAN recalls that Ibaa community was engulfed in bloody violence, following a protracted chieftaincy tussle that lead to the death of many people and destruction of property.

The Gov. Nyesom Wike-led administration recently commenced an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and other criminals across the state.

The programme followed the resurgence of various kinds of crimes, including cultism across the state in recent month months. (NAN)

AZU/EMO/OU

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NAN-S-8

Cricket
Harare, Oct. 31, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Opener Tino Mawoyo scored an unbeaten 41 as Zimbabwe reached 88 for one at stumps at the end of the second day of the first test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s first innings tally of 537 at the Harare Sports Club, Mawoyo and veteran Hamilton Masakadza, who scored 33 not out were digging in as Zimbabwe ended the day trailing by 449 runs.

Opener Brian Chari was dismissed lbw for five off the bowling of stand-in skipper Rangana Herath.

Upal Tharanga finished 110 not out when Sri Lanka were finally dismissed in the final session on Sunday, putting Zimbabwe into bat for 23 overs at the end of the day.

Tharanga played a patient innings to record a second test ton after starting the day on 13 not out with Sri Lanka 317-4.

Zimbabwe took a single wicket in the opening session, but restricted the run rate on a docile wicket before grabbing three more in the second session, including that of Asela Gunaratne, who scored 54 on debut.

The hosts dropped several catches as Sri Lanka were finally all out after 155 overs with Kusal Perera having contributed a maiden test century on Saturday for the injury-ravaged visitors.

The Sri Lankans are without injured captain Angelo Matthews and his deputy Dinesh Chandimal, plus several key bowlers.

The 26-year-old Perera, in his eighth test appearance, hit 110 off 121 balls. Zimbabwe captain Graeme Creamer finished with four wickets for 142 runs. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Idonije Obakhedo

NAN-ELS-4
Victory
Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) “Inferno,’’ the latest big screen tour through Dan Brown’s historical conspiracy theories, flamed out at the weekend box office, earning a frosty $15 million.

That’s a fraction of the $46.2 million that “Angels & Demons,’’ the previous film version of Brown’s novels, earned when it debuted in 2009.

And it pales in relation to “The Da Vinci Code’s’’ $77.1 million opening way back in 2006.

“This was a serious meltdown,” said Jeff Bock, box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations.

“It shows how fickle audiences can be. When studios release a sequel they don’t want, they just turn their shoulder.”

“Inferno” couldn’t muster “a strong enough debut to capture the top spot on the domestic box office chart.

Lionsgate’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween’’ nabbed first place for the second consecutive weekend, picking up $16.7 million to bring its stateside total to $52 million.

The Tyler Perry comedy’s victory is an upset.

Heading into the weekend, “Inferno’’ was expected to kick off to the north of $20 million — a figure that easily would have secured it a first place finish.

In addition to the brutal reviews, “Inferno’’ ran smack up against a World Series battle between the Cubs and the Indians, two franchises that have gone decades without capturing a championship.

Those games generated a lot of excitement among “Inferno’s’’ core audience of older men.

Strong foreign grosses could be enough to pull “Inferno’’ out of the red. The film has earned roughly $150 million overseas.

Sony, the studio behind the film, also reined in “Inferno’s’’ production budget. The picture cost $75 million to make, half the budget of “Angels & Demons.’’

Sony executives said they always expected “Inferno’’ to be more of a foreign play than a domestic bet.

They noted that previous Langdon adventures pulled in more than 70 per cent of their box office from foreign markets.

“Globally, the movie is in really good shape,” said Rory Bruer, Sony’s worldwide distribution chief.

“We made this film for much less and we felt strongly that it was a film that would resonate internationally.”

Still, the results are disappointing, particularly for director Ron Howard, who could use a hit.

Once a reliable purveyor of popcorn fare, with a certain prestige sheen, such as “Apollo 13″ and “A Beautiful Mind,’’ Howard’s commercial radar has been faulty of late.

His recent efforts, such as “In the Heart of the Sea,’’ “The Dilemma,” and “Rush,” all lost money. “Angels & Demons” was his last major studio movie to turn a profit.

“Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” snagged third place with roughly $9.6 million.

The Tom Cruise thriller has earned $39.7 million in two weeks of release. Fourth place went to Warner Bros.

“The Accountant,” which added $8.5 million to its $61.3 million haul.

“Ouija: Origin of Evil” rounded out the top five, earning $7.1 million to bring its domestic total to $24.6 million.

In its second weekend, “Moonlight,” a critically acclaimed coming-of-age story, expanded nicely from four to 36 screens, earning $900,826 in the process.

The A24 release is expected to be an Oscar contender. It has earned $1.5 million so far.

Final numbers are still being tallied, but it appears that ticket sales will outpace the year-ago period.

That’s not much of an accomplishment.

Last year, “The Martian” held on to the top spot in its fifth week of release, as newcomers like “Burnt” collapsed.

Overall, fall ticket sales have lagged behind those of 2015.

Most analysts don’t expect a true box office turnaround to happen until “Doctor Strange” debuts next weekend.

“We need a box office hero,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore.

“We need a great movie to get us out of the box office doldrums.”(Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Idonije Obakhedo

NAN-H-11

Uniform
By Mohammed Nasirbashir

Dutse, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Female students of Gagarawa Local Government Council Area (LGA) of Jigawa are to benefit from its free school-uniform scheme, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Malam Ahmad Sulaiman, the council’s Information Officer, disclosed this to NAN on Monday in Duste, the state capital.

Sulaiman said that the council’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Aminu Sule, made the pledge when he received the executive members of Gagarawa Secondary School’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in his office.

He said that the council would also provide additional teaching and learning materials to schools within its jurisdiction to improve their standards of education.

According to him, the council’s gesture is to bridge the enrolment and attendance gaps between the male and female students in the area.

“The gesture is in keeping with the state government’s policy of providing free education to female students in the state.

“The council’s chairman, therefore, appealed to parents to ensure that their children enroll in primary and Islamic schools without fail.’’

Earlier, the school principal, Mallam Salisu Auwalu and the PTA chairman, Alhaji Ya’u Haruna, said the visit was to intimate the chairman with some of the challenges facing the school.

They expressed the hope that the council’s decision would boost female-literacy level in the council. (NAN)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and controlled by Peter Dada

NAN-S-1
Moses
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Football fans in Ebonyi have advised the Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, to field Victor Moses in the right wing-back position during the forthcoming Russia 2018 qualifier against Algeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Moses continued his rich form in that position during Chelsea’s EPL match against Southampton on Sunday under its new 3-5-2 tactical formation.

Moses in the first half provided the assistance for Belgian Eden Hazard to score the first goal before Diego Costa’s sublime finish in the second half earned Chelsea a 2-0 win.

The fans told NAN on Monday in Abakaliki that Moses’ rich form should be effectively utilised to disorganise the North African team’s fluid pattern of play.

Edmund Ndukamma, a former Rangers International FC of Enugu defender, remarked that fielding Moses in that position would immensely benefit the Eagles against Algeria.

“Moses will help the Eagles’ attack pile pressure on the Algerian defence from the right wing thereby disorganising their quick-pass movements from its lethal left-wing.

“He will also assist the Nigerian right full back which was problematic against Zambia in the team’s first qualifier in Ndola,’’ he said.

Nicodemus Omenka, former Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports, corroborated Ndukamma’s claim, noting that Moses would play a vital role in the Algerian match.

“He is one of Nigeria’s hottest players in Europe currently and his presence would psychologically affect the Algerians who are also grappling with their coaching problems.

“His blistering runs from the right wing will give Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi more room to operate, while also assisting the defenders to curtail the Algerians’ incursions,’’ he said.

Jude Nlemchi, Colombia FC of Abakaliki player, advised Rohr to place emphasis on current form in selecting players to be fielded against the Algerians.

“Players such as Moses, Iwobi, Iheanacho among others should be fielded against Algeria as the system worked against Zambia in Ndola.

“The Algerians play a `fast-paced’ style and the Eagles need fit, aggressive and skilful players to disorganise their strategy for the much needed win,’’ he said.

Chief Silas Mgbebu, a businessman and soccer enthusiast, urged the Eagles to approach the Algerian match with serious determination as if they were playing in a cup final.

“The players should replicate the level of commitment for their clubs in the Algerian match to ensure the team achieves the much needed victory.

“Winning the match will make them the `group of death’ leaders before qualification hostilities resumes in 2017 with the accompanying psychological edge over their opponents,’’ he said.

Mrs Scholastica Igwe, a civil servant and soccer admirer, warned that the euphoria of the Algerian match if not properly handled, might affect the Eagles.

“The only sporting news on the airwaves currently is the match with Algeria and the euphoria should not be allowed to pile undue pressure on the players and officials,’’ she said. (NAN)
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-10
Fertilisers
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa) Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Some farmers in Nasarawa State on Monday urged the Federal Government and the Nasarawa State Government to ensure timely distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs.

The farmers made the plea in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

The farmers said that the distribution of the fertilisers would boost dry season farming as well as food production in the country.

They said that the timely distribution of fertilisers to farmers in the state would also fight hunger and boost the revenue base of the state and the country at large.

An irrigation farmer in Keffi, Mr Bulus Agu, said that the importance of early distribution of fertilisers to farmers for the dry season farming in the state could not be over-emphasised.

“As we are all aware that no society can live comfortably and survive without agriculture, agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family and the nation.

“Its importance cannot be over-emphasised to the development of any society.

“Agriculture does not only provide food, fights poverty, hunger, unemployment but it would also improve on the revenue base of the country.

“It would also improve the standard of living as well as the socio-economic development of the country.

“I want to appeal to the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments to ensure timely and early distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to the farmers so as to boost dry season farming as well as to boost food production, ‘’he said.

According to him, early distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers will boost food production.

“There would be bumper harvest and this would fight hunger and poverty in the state and the country at large.

Another farmer, Mr Adigizi Anzaku, also appealed for timely distribution of fertilisers to dry season farmers so as to boost food production in the state.

Anzaku said majority of the farmers in the state were peasants and called on the state government to provide the fertilisers at affordable prices in order to boost dry season farming.

Another farmer, Mr Galadima Ibrahim, also suggested early distribution of fertilisers to dry season farmers.

Ibrahim commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for giving attention to the agricultural sector in the state and called for its sustenance. (NAN)
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

Cleric advises government to create jobs to curb crimes

NAN-H-25

Jobs

By George Odok

Calabar, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Rt. Rev. Tunde Adeleye, the Bishop, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Calabar Diocese,  has advised government at all levels, to create jobs for the youths in order to check rising cases of crimes in the country.

Adeleye made the call on Monday in Calabar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said unemployment was largely responsible for kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy and other heinous crimes across the country.

The cleric said that the rate of kidnapping in the country was on the increase and the best way to tackle it was for all levels of government to create massive jobs for the youths.

“Kidnappers now take away both adults and children. The federal state and local governments should take urgent steps to stop this.

“Even some parts of this country which were earlier adjudged to be safe are no longer safe.

“Government at all levels should rise up to this challenge by creating jobs for the volume of unemployed youths in the country.

“There should be employment for all able-bodied youths in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that even holders of masters degrees in very lucrative professions in Nigeria are jobless today,’’ he said.

He further advised the youths to stop being used by some politicians as tugs, saying that `those who plant evil will end in evil.’

The cleric further advised that the law enforcement agents should not be “selective” in handling kidnap cases.

Adeleye noted that when the elite got kidnapped, the law enforcement agents usually tended to act swiftly to get such people released, unlike when low profile individuals were victims.

He said the practice was wrong, adding that efforts should be made to rescue all kidnap victims as soon as possible. (NAN)

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NAN-H-8

Languages
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Dr Muhammad Sani-Ibrahim of the Department of Arabic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has urged Nigerians to intensify efforts at learning international languages, for their personal security.

He stated this at a `Walima’ (forum) organised by a student of Arabic at the Islamic Trust of Nigeria (ITN), Malama Hauwa’u Isma’il-Muhammad, on Sunday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Sani-Ibrahim said: “He who learns others’ language is free from their harm, hence the need for us to strive hard to learn languages.”

He said that language as a means of communication, compiles, preserves, protects and projects culture.

The don said that it was very difficult for one to single out one language globally and say it was better than all others, in all ramifications.

He encouraged the students to redouble efforts toward learning Arabic, saying that it would go a long way in shaping their lifestyles.

In a remark, Prof. Mohammed Mustapha-Gwadabe of the History Department, ABU recalled that late Dr Bala Usman had advised them to learn Arabic and French.

“Late Bala Usman told us that nobody will benefit from the History profession until he learns other languages, especially Arabic and French.

“Bala said there is lot of secret in these two languages; therefore, as historians, you will not be complete until you learn them,” he said.

Responding, the organiser of the forum appreciated God for the opportunity to complete and defend her thesis for the Master’s Degree in English.

She lauded the efforts of the tutors for what she described as a wonderful job, adding that Arabic was key to learning Islam.

Malam Muhammad Inuwa, the Principal of the school, charged the students to be committed to their studies, to improve on their religious and social lifes.

Inuwa appreciated the students for their courage, understanding and patience, and urged them to sustain the tempo. (NAN)
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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Idonije Obakhedo

Rivers community appeals to government to  rehabilitate  primary school

NAN –H-24

School

By John Amieyeofori

Sangama (Rivers), Oct. 31, 2016 ( NAN) Residents of Sangama in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers, have appealed to the state government to rehabilitate the only primary school in the community.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sangama.

A leader in the community, Mr Gabriel Osini, told NAN that the only public primary school in  Sangama, was in bad state.

Osini said that the present condition of the school had become worrisome, adding that government should not allow the pupils to continue to study in such environment.

According to him, the community had written several letters to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), requesting the rehabilitation of the primary school.

Corroborating Osini’s view, Mr Francis Igoniwari, said the Gov. Nyesom Wike’s administration should give the people a sense of belonging by repairing the school building.

“The rehabilitation is long overdue; the pupils get drenched whenever it rains and this is not good for a state like ours,” he said.

Mrs Ere Igboms, a teacher, noted that it was dangerous for the pupils to study in such a school building with a collapsing roof.

Igboms said that any day it rained during school hours, the pupils received their lessons amidst fears.

Another resident of the community, Mr Goddy Iro, said the state government should quickly intervene to avert imminent danger.

Iro stressed that the teachers and pupils were at a great risk being in the building whenever it rained.

Mrs Agatha Green noted that as the state government had embarked on school rehabilitation, it should extend the gesture to the state primary school  at  Sangama, the only primary school in the area.

“As a responsive and listening government, the Wike administration should, please, listen to the cry of Sangama people and fix the school,” she added. (NAN)
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