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C ‘River teachers commend SUBEB for taking over  salary payment

NAN-H-23

Teachers

Calabar, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Primary school teachers in Cross River have commended the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for taking over the payment of their salaries.

A cross section of the teachers spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday.

NAN recalls that before now, salaeies were paid by local government councils, accused of being responsible for delays in payment of salaries.

Mrs Hannah Okon, a teacher, told  NAN that the initiative by the state government was in order, expressing hope that it would ensure prompt payment of their salaries.

“The takeover is good, provided we receive our salaries promptly, ‘’ she said.

Another teacher, Mr James Ekanem, also expressed hope that the situation would enhance prompt payment of teachers’ salaries.

“We are the geese that lay the golden egg; but we are often relegated to the background.

So, if the new idea will guarantee prompt payment of our salaries, then it is a welcome development ,‘’ he said.

Mr Lawrence Agba who has retired from teaching, also commended the state universal basic education board for the initiative, but with some reservations.

“It is a good idea but the problem had always been the availability of funds for the local government councils, whose responsibility it is to cater for primary school teachers, ‘’ he said.

Also speaking, Mr Godwin Ayende, the State President of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), said that the takeover of the payment by SUBEB was a step in the right direction.

Ayende said it was better for the state governments to bear the responsibility of paying primary school teachers’ salaries instead of the councils.

He said: “It is good; after all SUBEB employs and supervises the teachers. There is no reason why it should not pay the teachers. I believe this will curb corruption in the system.

“What we are saying is that the federal or state governments should take over the responsibility of funding the primary schools rather than local governments.

“It does not matter to us who pays the teachers because the money still comes from the local government allocations for now.’’

NAN recalls that SUBEB took over the payment of primary school teachers in the state, following their strike action over persistent non-prompt payment of their salaries.

Dr Stephen Odey, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB in the state, said the measure was to sanitise the primary school education system in the state.

Odey also described the action as part of the state government’s efforts to fish out fake and ghost teachers in the system.

“The wage bill of primary school teachers in the state has remained static over the years even when many have retired from service or died, ‘’ he said.(NAN)

BEN/EMO/OU

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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-AE-1
Farmers
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Haruna Abubakar, Chairman, Tomato Farmers Association of Nigeria, Sokoto State Chapter, said his members would collaborate with wheat farmers to boost the production of the product in the state.
Abubakar made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sokoto.
He said the state government’s determination and commitment to technologically improve wheat production in the state was the reason for the collaboration.
Hs said that the government is so much committed to improving agricultural production, as it had introduced modern wheat farming techniques.
“All our members have accepted to join hands with the association of wheat farmers to ensure the development of farming activities in the Sokoto.”
Abubakar thanked Gov. Aminu Tambuwal for supporting farmers in the state.

He assured the government of his members’ commitment to grow the sector for the overall development and growth of the nation’s economy.

He, therefore, urged members of the association to become role models to their counterparts in other states, by utilizing the opportunity provided by the state government to boost agriculture in the state. (NAN)
MNB/BRM/KOO/AFA
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide
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NAN-AE-2
Farming
Osogbo, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kunle Ajasa, a Fishery and Aquatic Management expert, has said that adequate investments by the three tiers of governments in the fishery would boost the sector in the country.

Ajasa, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Osogbo, said this would impact on the contribution of the sector to the Nation’s economy.

He said the arrangement would provide opportunities for Agricultural Scheme Managers to effectively impact best practices and skills in fish production among farmers.

The fishery expert added that the managers would also empower fish farmers on how to increase their production and attain self sufficiency.

He pointed out that the success would be achieved in collaboration with the Association of Aqua–Culture Farmers and Agro-Processors of Nigeria.

“Fish farming is a viable economic alternative for our country if the government could key into it and fund it adequately. The return on the business is quick and certain.

“Under the scheme arrangement, farmers raise the fish for about five months and the Scheme Managers then buy the fish back from the farmers as a way of empowering the fish farmers, and ensure reliable market,” he said.

Ajasa added that the Federal Government could establish fish farm estates across the states to bring about competitiveness as part of government’s diversification policy.

“Fish estates are like farm settlements where fish farmers are in clusters with land spaces allocated to them to site their ponds and settle for real business,” he said. (NAN)
DOO/KOO/IS
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-F-5
Corruption
Seoul, Oct. 31, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Choi Soon Sil a confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, whose relationship with the executive has raised questions about improper sharing of government documents apologised on Monday as prosecutors began questioning her.

“I have committed an unpardonable crime,” said Choi as she arrived at the prosecutors’ offices.

However, it remained unclear exactly for what she was apologising but Choi has, in recent days, denied charges of corruption.

Officials are trying to determine whether Choi should be accused of corruption and exercising undue influence.

Park allegedly let Choi, who holds no official job or security clearance, view government documents and weigh in on personnel decisions.

Choi also stands accused of using her ties to the president to raise funds with which she founded two private institutes.

She returned to South Korea on Sunday, after a long stay in Germany, to speak to the prosecutors.

Park has admitted to relying upon Choi’s counsel during her presidential campaign and since taking office in 2013, primarily in the form of access to speeches before they were delivered.

The scandal has seen Park’s political support evaporate, with demonstrations Saturday calling for her to step down drawing thousands.

The one weekend poll saw her support at 17 per cent.

The two have been friends for years.

Choi is the daughter of one of Park’s earliest political backers.

She has denied any wrongdoing, saying that she only helped the president write speeches and that she would accept any punishment if she is found guilty of criminal acts. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/HA
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(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-5
Silence
Makurdi, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) A social critic, Mr Joseph Boko, has condemned the organised labour for not speaking out in support of efforts by the government to rid the judiciary of corruption.
Boko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi that the silence of the labour unions over the arrest and detention of some judges was undignified.
“Organised labour are always in the forefront of agitations for salary increment and are unrelenting in their fight against increases in petrol pump prices, so, why are they keeping mute now.
“Their silence could only mean that their actions are self-serving and not in the interest of the nation.
“If not, why are they not mobilizing the workforce against corruption and impunity in the judiciary,’’ the social critic said.
He, therefore, called on the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to “stand up’’ in support of President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to rid the country of corruption.
He said corruption was a major obstacle to development in the country and appealed to all Nigerians to support Buhari’s efforts in purging all sectors of the society of corruption.
Boko also blamed the “fast-eroding’’ respect for the courts on corruption and assured that the clean-up in the sector would restore the dignity of the bench. (NAN)
PD/WOJ
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(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-
Education
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) An educationist, Dr Sola Ajibade, has commended the Federal Government for the inclusion of civic education in school curriculum.

Ajibade, a senior lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Monday.

According to him, the introduction of civic education in primary and secondary levels will help in reviving national consciousness among the youths.

Ajibade said that the era of military interregnum had totally militarised the youths, hence the need to reorientate them and instil “core national consciousness’’ in them.

“No country survives with militarised young population. Development is a direct product of egalitarian society,’’ he said.

Ajibade, however, enjoined youths to be focused and always think of what they could do to help the country and not the other way round.

“Obviously, the inclusion of civic education in the curriculum of schools is commendable and timely. It is the best approach to change the militarised mentality of some of our youths.

“It is correct to say that the survival of this country depends solely on the youths. They are the real harbinger of stability and oneness.

“It is, therefore, pertinent to teach them the dignity of nationhood and commitment to nation-building.

“The youths should always have it at the back of their minds that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today,’’ Ajibade said. (NAN)
DOO/AOM/OFN
(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed//Felix Nwadioha)

1. Hearing continues in an FCT High Court, Maitama, in a case of alleged armed robbery preferred against Abdullah Ahmed and 3 others.

2. An FCT High Court Apo continues hearing in a case of alleged impersonation and giving false statements filed against Ugwu Martins.

3. An FCT High Court, Wuse, continues hearing in a case of alleged armed robbery filed against three men.

4. The Court of Appeal rules on Eyitayo Jegede’s motion to appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in the Ondo governorship tussle.

5. PDP in Akure holds news conference, following controversy over its governorship candidates in the Nov. 26 election in Ondo State.

6. The Enugu Zonal office of EFCC summons Federal Director of Works in Enugu over petitions
on alleged shoddy deal they said left most federal roads in the South-East in deplorable condition.

7. Free medical outreach programme, organised by Borno chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) comes up in IDP camps in Maiduguri.

8. Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno inaugurates constructed 1,000 housing units by the state government for IDPs in Benesheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of the state.

9. The Chief of Naval Staff tour of naval formations in the South-South continues.

10. All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) meets.

11. House of Representatives Committee on Housing meets.

12.The African Development Bank to launch the 2015 African Development report at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

13. Organisers of the 2016 Family Planning (FP) and Annual Population Lecture Series holds news conference in Abuja.

14. Society for the Promotion of People`s Right, an NGO, holds a media roundtable in Maitama on promoting environmental health in the FCT.

15. Minister of Transportation hosts the Joint Senate and House Committee on Land Transport on oversight visit to the ministry.

NAN-S-2
Falcons
By Ijeoma Okigbo
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) The Media Officer, Super Falcons, Remi Sulola, on Monday debunked the rumour that the team threatened to boycott the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) due to unpaid allowances.

Sulola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the recent report in media stating that the team had threatened to boycott the event was false.

She, however, acknowledged that the team had yet to be paid some allowances but that it had not deterred them from training hard for the event.

“It is true that the players are being owed but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised that their money will be paid before the tournament begins.

“It is untrue for anyone to say that they have threatened to boycott the event or their training.

“Money is actually the last thing on the players mind right now, because they are focused on defending and returning with the trophy.

“Most of the home-based players who are invited to camp did not participate in the qualifiers, those who are fully involved are the foreign-based players who we are still expecting,’’ Sulola said.

NAN reports that Nigeria is pitted in Group B with arch-rivals Ghana, Mali and Kenya in the tournament.

The 10th AWCON is billed for Cameroon from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3.

Media reports had said that the NFF paid only N10, 000 qualifying bonus to the players to enable them travel back to their respective homes after the April’s successful qualifying match against the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in Abuja.

The NFF was alleged in the report to have cited financial challenges as the reason for the delay in the payment. (NAN)
IHA/FNO/ECN/PDE
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(Edited by Franca Ofili/Peter Ejiofor)

Kumuyi says there’s hope, freedom  in difficult moment

NAN-H-51

Kumuyi

Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, says there is hope of freedom for individuals and nation as a whole  passing through difficult moment.

Kumuyi who stated this at a programme titled emancipation crusade` at the National Stadium in Abuja on Sunday,  prayed for God’s intervention in all difficulties being experienced by all and sundry.

The cleric said that an individual or a nation needs emancipation when being held by a stronger force, adding that it was only divine help that could bring solution in such situation

“When someone is under a terrible situation and does not know the way out, it is only a mighty power of God that can bring total freedom in such a situation,” he said.

The pastor explained that there were three strong forces of sin, Satan and sickness that normally put an individual or a nation under a siege.

According to him, when one is under a siege of sin, sickness, and Satan there is need to seek for emancipation through Jesus Christ.

“Emancipation mean being set free from the power that is stronger than a person, if you are under a siege then a mighty power is needed to set  you free,” he said.

He cited Mathew Chapter 1 :21 and said that Jesus Christ came to emancipate man from sin, Satan and sickness.

According to him, Christ has come to set all free from bondages of sin, sickness, diseases and other challenges and a single touch from God will give you a total liberation.

Kumuyi streesed the need for acknowledgment and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the saviour before an individual or nation could enjoy the blessing of emancipation.

“Christ has come to give total freedom to every individual under the bondage and servitude of sin, sickness and Satan,” he said.(NAN)

IAA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha