Blog

NAN-H-22
Disbursement
By Mustapha Sumaila
Birninkudu (Jigawa) Oct 30, 2016 (NAN) A member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Da’u Aliyu, on Sunday in Birninkudu, Jigawa, disbursed N10 million to indigent students, women and youths in the area.
Aliyu, who represents Birninkudu/Buji Federal Constituency, said that N7.5 million would be awarded as bursary to 1,500 indigent students in his constituency.
He said that each of the beneficiaries would receive N5,000.
The lawmaker said that the remaining N2.5 million would be given to 500 selected women and youths as empowerment package.
He explained that each of the beneficiaries would also receive N5,000 to start up a petty trade of their choice.
Aliyu said that the gesture was aimed at improving the lives of people of his constituency.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the legislator also distributed 23 motorcycles, 23 wheel chairs and 53 hospital mattresses to his constituents. (NAN)
MS/JPE/WOJ
(Edited by Joseph Edeh / Wale Ojetimi)
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Buhari wants Islamic scholars to preach peace, national integration
NAN-H-41
Graduation
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the graduating pupils of Al-Ansar Foundation School to utilise their knowledge in fostering national unity and societal integration.

Buhari made the call at the graduation ceremony of 47 pupils of the school, who memorised and recited complete Qur’an at Emir of Zazzau’s place in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday.

The graduating pupils were between the ages of nine and eleven.

Represented by Hajiya Fatima Buhari, his daughter, Buhari called on Islamic scholars across the country to always preach peace, promote fear of God and national integration.

Buhari described the 47 pupils who memorised complete Qur’an as veritable asset to their families, society, state and the nation at large.

He said it was not an easy task for an adult to memorise the whole Qur’an talkless of small children.

In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Nasiru Sambo of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), appealed to people to invest in the treasury of God Almighty to boost Qur’anic recitation.

“I learned that where the school is situated is a house belonging to somebody who is living overseas, but will soon return to take back his residence.

“In view of this, I urge each one of us here to earnestly contribute toward assisting the school to stand on its feet to produce more standard and qualitative future leaders,” he pleaded.

Malam Abubakar Jumare, the Director of the School, said the school was established to produce pupils who would memorise the holy Qur’an at tender age.

“We graduate pupils who can memorise the holy Qur’an at their tender age with the fear of God Almighty. We want to instill standard Islamic education in their minds based on Qur’an and Hadith.

“At the same time, we inculcate on them western education of all fields. Ultimately, the school seek to produce patriotic, decent and sound future leaders.

“These calibre of graduates with both Islamic and Western education, we believe, will be the set of people any country will be proud of,” Jumare said. (NAN)
KLM/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-32

Kidney

Yola, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN), Sani Abdullahi, the 25 year old who offered to donate his kidney to a patient, Isah Hamman, said the touching story of how Hamman lost his kidney, necessitated the gesture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Hamman lost his kidney in July after surgery was carried out on him for abdominal pain by one Dr Hassan Yakubu at a private clinic in Yola.

A panel of medical team set up by the Adamawa Government to investigate the doctor involved in the removal of the patient’s kidney, said in its report that Yakubu, who has been arrested by the police, was not competent enough to handle the surgery.

Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Yola on Sunday that he heard about the plight of Hamman in the media and was so sympathetic that he decided to ‘do something’ to help the victim

He said members of his family supported his decision to donate his kidney.

“My father is late but my mother, who is still alive, is in support of my decision; so also my two brothers, Nasiru and Yakubu.

“We (family) were together in Kano at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital where the kidney transplant is to take place and they all gave their consent to the authorities in support of my decision,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that he had under gone some tests at the hospital and from all indications, his kidney would be acceptable to the body system of the patient.

Abdullahi who was in Yola to receive award by a local newspaper company, the Periscope, that has been following the kidney story, said that he was now waiting for the hospital to conclude all necessary tests and fix date for the transplant.

Meanwhile, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa had donated N5 million for the transplant.

The patient is now surviving through regular dialysis at the hospital. (NAN)

AMA/YMU/ASH

NAN-H-20
Children
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged students to spend the period of their youth in striving for academic excellence.
He made the call on Sunday at the Florence Ajimobi Public Schools Debate and Quiz Competition organised by the Ibadan South West Local Government.
Ajimobi, who was represented by Dr Akin Alabi, his Special Adviser on Education, urged students to be committed to their studies to enable them compete favourably as global citizens.
He commended the organisers for sustaining government’s vision of raising the standard of education in public schools.
“As we are all aware, quality education is one of the Sustainable Development Goals declared by the United Nations.
“Fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals requires not just getting all children into schools but making sure that all schools work in the best interests of the children entrusted to them.
“School children must be exposed to experiences and activities that will support their learning and ensure they are able to compete favourably as global leaders,’’ he said.
He described schooling as an experience children worldwide had in common and a means by which societies prepare their young ones for the future.
The governor said the purpose of education was “learning to know, learning to do, learning to be and learning to live together.’’
“It is the creation of competent and civil individuals, a basic prerequisite for sustained development,’’ he said.
Ajimobi urged teachers and educators to brace up for the great responsibility in their hands, while discharging their duties diligently and with the fear of God.
He enjoined parents to support their children in pursuit of academic excellence by ensuring their wards were obedient and punctual in schools and with the right tools for learning.
“Parents must monitor their children after school, ensure they study and do the set homework: They should support government in the education of their children,’’ he said. (NAN)
TAA/JPE/WOJ
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Edited by Joseph Edeh / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-‎38
Games
By Muhyideen Jimoh‎
Abuja, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has said that the maiden Ministry of Interior Games (MIGA) will help to foster synergy among security agencies in the country.

Dambazau said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

The maiden 2016 MIGA was hosted by Kaduna state from Oct. 25 to Oct. 29.

According to him, MIGA is conceptualised to strengthen the integration process among the five services under the ministry so as to achieve the ministry’s mandate of ensuring public safety and security.

“The main objective of organising the games is to forge unity, integration and professionalism among the five security services under the ministry.

“I can tell you that the first edition has been very successful and we hope this will foster better synergy and dedication among the services.”

Dambazau said he was optimistic that the games would also help to identify new talents that could be groomed to represent the country at international competitions.

The minister also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government‎ to internal security and the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.

a total of 10 sports – athletics, football, badminton, basketball, handball, squash, table tennis, lawn tennis, volleyball and tug-of-war – featured at the games.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) emerged tops at the end of the games with 37 gold, 17 Silver and nine bronze medals.

The Nigeria Police Force came second with 11 gold,‎ 20 silver and 18 bronze medals while the Nigeria Prisons Service came third with four gold, seven  silver and 17 bronze medals.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service and Ministry of Interior were 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively in the weeklong event.

The event was graced by dignitaries, including the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali and the Gov. Nasir El-rufai of Kaduan. (NAN)
MUYI/HAS/OFN
Edited By Hajia Sani//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-17

Protest

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Oct. 30, 2016(NAN) A Socio-Cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative, has condemned recent protest by students in Oyo State over the new government policy abolition automatic promotion for secondary school students.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Sunday.

Okanlawon condemned the violent protest by the students, decsribing it as sad, and said government must punish those involved.

“It is sad that we now have touts in school uniforms. The action of the students is rather unfortunate and all hands must be on deck to deal with the situation.

“Even, students of higher institutions rarely destroy government properties during their ‘Aluta’ days. One now wonders what students of secondary schools have turned into.

“To repeat a class is not a new thing and students who are adjudged to have failed are expected to repeat the class.

“The recent statistics of students’ failure released by the government shows that education is on the verge of collapse if the government does not take strict measures to save it,” he said.

The coordinator said giving automatic promotion to students in spite of the poor performances was unacceptable.

“We urge the government not to treat the recent protest with kid gloves and call on them to ensure that strict measures were put in place to prevent future occurrence.

“Parents of the affected students and schools should also be invited for talk and made to sign an undertaking of good behavior,” he said.

Okanlawon called on stakeholders in the education sector to support government initiatives to reform the sector.

The coordinator urged the media to continue to educate and sensitise the public on the need to establish a new education order in the state.

NAN reports that under the new policy, only students who score 50 per cent and above in their core subjects, including Mathematics and English would be promoted.

The government said it would not reverse the policy in spite of the protest by the students.

Some secondary school students in the state had on Thursday, Oct. 27 staged a violent protest over the policy, during which facilities in several schools were destroyed.

The protest had led to the closure of five schools in Oyo town and two in Ibadan.(NAN)
TAA/JPE/MZA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Maharazu Ahmed
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NAN-H-31

Vigilance
By Ali Inuwa

Maiduguri, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday advised Borno residents, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to be more vigilant, following increased suicide attacks targeted at the displaced persons in Maiduguri.

Malam Muhammad Kanar, the North East Coordinator of the agency, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

Kanar said that the attacks were a sign of desperation by the Boko Haram insurgents to cause havoc in the IDP camps.

“It is true that they have been trying all these while to gain access into the city and wreak havoc, but the security agents have been up and doing in preventing them.

“Those that came in on Saturday were the first two and then today we had another one that was detected early enough by the security agents, ” he said.

Kanar said that residents must collaborate with the security agents by being more vigilant to prevent future attacks.

“This is the kind of challenge we sometimes face in carrying out humanitarian service.

” But definitely, we have confidence in the military and other security agents, the challenges shall come to pass,” he said.

NAN recalls that nine persons were killed in a twin suicide attacks in Maiduguri on Saturday while another suspected suicide attack was foiled by the military on Sunday near the scene of that of Saturday. (NAN)
ABI/JPE/ASH
Edited by Joseph Edeh
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Jigawa distributes 12,000 standard measurement bowls to grain sellers

NAN-H-16

Bowls

Dutse, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in Jigawa plans to distribute about 12,000 standardised measurement bowls to grain sellers in the state, to ensure customers get value for their money.

The state Chairman of CPC, Alhaji Farouk Abdallah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Sunday.

Abdullah said that bowls, locally known as `Mudu’, were in big and small sizes, and would be distributed to traders in Hadejia, Guri and Babura Local Government areas of the state.

He said that the bowls would also be distributed to traders in Shuwarin and Furji grains markets in Kiyawa and Kazaure local government areas, respectively.

According to the chairman, the aim is to give consumers value for their money and check the excesses of traders who short change customers.

Abdallah said that the CPC would sanitise the business environment and ensure accuracy in measurement of articles bought in all commercial transactions in the state.

The chairman said “lack of standardised weigh and measures in the state is responsible for the disparity in the sizes of bowls used by traders

“The Council will ensure that it distributes the bowls to all traders and grains sellers in all markets across state.’’

NAN recalls that the state CPC had, on May 1, confiscated several fake measuring bowls from grains sellers.

Consequently, it distributed 5, 000 standard bowls on July 19, to grain sellers in Gujungu International Market in Taura Local Government Area of the state.

“So, henceforth, any trader found using any bowl other than the one approved by the state government will face the full wrath of the law,” Abdallah warned. (NAN)
MNB/HAS/MZA
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-30

Expatriates

Bauchi, Oct.30, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),Bauchi State Command on Sunday said the state was experiencing influx of expatriates as a result of boost in mining activities.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Adamu Gabarin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that abundant mineral resources in the state had been attracting miners

According to him, the state is blessed with mineral resources in areas such as Toro, Alkaleri and Dass Local Government Areas, among other areas, and need constant surveillance.

Gabarin said that the ECOWAS and African Affairs Office situated across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state had been monitoring resident immigrants.

He therfore appealed to the state government to assist the state command of NIS with vehicles to enable it monitor the situation effectively.

“We are appealing to the state Governments to look into the activities of NIS and support us with vehicles as we do not have any have at the command to access the area,’’ he said.

The spokesperson said such assistance would not only enable them monitor the movement and activities of foreigners, but also ensure the protection of the economic resources of the state.(NAN)

AE/ASH/ASH

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Private school proprietors in Bayelsa decry multiple taxation

NAN-ND-9

Taxation

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, Oct. 30, 2016 (NAN) Private school proprietors in Bayelsa have decried multiple taxes and levies imposed on them by different agencies of Bayelsa Government.

Pastor Yeseme Moses, Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Bayelsa chapter, expressed the concern, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Sunday.

Moses said that the imposition of the taxes and levies such as registration of business premises, environmental levies, water rate and a host of others, was stifling the schools.

The chairman said that the practice was inimical to the overall growth of the education sector which the state government ironically wanted to enhance.

He said that the imposition of multiple taxes by agents of the state government who incessantly harassed them was regrettable and counterproductive.

Moses said that the association since its establishment in 2005 had been working for the advancement of quality education in the country in general and Bayelsa in particular.

He said that NAPPS remained committed to promoting the welfare and growth of private schools so as to complement the role of government in providing quality education for the citizenry.

He noted that the core values of NAPPS included professionalism, equity, religious tolerance, discipline, integrity and patriotism.

According to him, NAPPS played a dominant role in job creation as available data showed that each of the 700 private schools in Bayelsa employed between 15 and 20 workers.

“In spite of the huge progress recorded in public schools, the contribution of private schools in Bayelsa is tremendous and deserves assistance by all stakeholders,” Moses said.

Reacting, the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mr Markson Fefegha, said the ministry was also disturbed by the development.

“The practice is worrisome and there is the need to harmonise the revenue system; my ministry is not involved in the multiple levies; we only collect one approved fee.

“Our main area of work is in the quality control and quality assurance; we frown at people running substandard schools and encourage those who meet our standards to thrive.

“I will table the matter at the appropriate quarters because we have been getting the reports also.

“We do not want to stifle the private schools; we want them to grow,” Fefegha said. (NAN)

NN/EMO/OU

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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Obike Ukoh

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