Blog

8^th NAF Games: Kaduna Command emerges winner

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Games
Katsina, Oct. 29, 2016(NAN) Team Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna, has emerged winner of the 8^th Air Force games in Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 750 athletes participated in 13 different events including football during the competition.

The Training Command won 21 gold medals, 15 silver and 13 bronze to clinch the first position.

The Nigerian Air Force headquarters command, Abuja, claimed second position with 19 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 13 bronze at the tournament.

The Logistics Command, Lagos, was third by winning 12 gold medals, eight silver and 17 bronze medals.

The Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, claimed fourth position by winning seven gold medals, 17 silver and 19 bronzes.

The Mobility Command, Yenagoa, was fifth by winning five gold medals, 10 silvers and four bronzes.

The sports men and women were decorated with the medals by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Air Vice Marshal K. G Lar.

NAN reports that trophies were presented to the winning teams during the closing ceremony.

The Training Command received nine trophies, NAF Headquarters Command, eight trophies, Logistics Command, six, while Mobility and Tactical Air Command, got one trophy each.

NAN recalls that NAF the sporting events was organised to keep the officers and men physically and mentally fit to be able to discharge their constitutional responsibility. (NAN)
ZI/SUD/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-3
Football
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The top three positions in the English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday remained unchanged as Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all recorded big wins on Match Day 10.

The early kickoff saw Arsenal increase the pressure on Sunderland Manager David Moyes with a comfortable victory over a Black Cats side, who remain bottom of the table without a premier league win this season.

Alexis Sanchez put the Gunners ahead when he got in front of defender Lamine Kone to head in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross.

The dominant visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Sanchez looked to have been brought down before Jermain Defoe equalised from the spot after keeper Petr Cech had fouled Duncan Watmore.

However, Arsenal reasserted their authority and led with three goals in six minutes and 20 seconds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi, who had a fairly decent performance, was replaced by Oliver Giroud in a tactical substitution in the 69th minute.

Giroud came off the bench to guide in a shot and then headed in a Mesut Ozil corner, while Sanchez’s close range effort was the signal for the home fans to start streaming out of the Stadium of Light.

The 4-1 win moved Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with 23 points – but Manchester City’s victory over West Brom later in the day knocked them off the summit with a superior +2 goal difference.

City and boss Guardiola were without a win in six matches in all competitions, but Sergio Aguero flashed in Ilkay Gundogan’s through ball to give them the lead.

The Baggies were flat and Aguero struck again, punishing hesitant defending with a powerful, top-corner finish.

West Brom improved hugely after the break but failed to take their chances before Gundogan twice slotted home – first from Aguero’s chip and then after being found by Kevin de Bruyne.

Tony Pulis’ side struck the post through Gareth McAuley late on and should have got one back at 2-0 through Salomon Rondon, but they slip to 15th and are now without a win in their past five games.

The last match of the day was a cracker as Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 4-2 at the end of a pulsating encounter.

Goals from Emre Can, Davor Lovren, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino ensured that Liverpool Liverpool remain third, behind Manchester City and Arsenal on goal difference, after an entertaining away victory at Selhurst Park.

James McArthur pulled two goals back for the hosts but it was not enough as Palace slipped to 12th on the EPL 20-team table.

In other matches played on Saturday, Manchester United continued their poor run of form in the league as Burnley held the Red devils to a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Also, Middlesborough beat AFC Bournemouth 2-0, Tottenham were held to a goalless draw by champions Leicester City, while Watford defeated Hull City 1-0. (NAN)
VO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-69

Cooperatives

Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) A non-governmental organisation, Quintessential Business Women Association  says that it will support women and youths cooperative in the agriculture and solid minerals sector across the country.

Mrs Judith Tanko, the Director-General of the association, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Cooperative Career Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on Saturday.

The theme of the conference was, “Affirmative Finance Action for Women and Youths in Agriculture and Solid Minerals’’.

Tanko said the aim of the conference was to bring all stakeholders in the sectors as well as the association coordinators from the 36 states and FCT under one roof.

She said they would discuss the role of international development partners, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the financial institutions toward financial and enterprises development amongst women and youths in the sectors.

“Today’s event is about bringing our women cooperatives together to learn what they need to do to get updates.

“Also to sit with our partners like the banking institutions, international development partners and the ministries to understand what they need to do at a particular time.

“We invited three women representatives from the 36 states and FCT so that they will learn, go back and teach others at the grassroots.

“So, that the woman in the village would be knowledgeable about what association  is all about and what they need to do as cooperatives and  why we call it ‘Cooperative Career Conference,” she said.

She noted that the conference was an annual event, adding that it had added a lot of value, especially to the women at the grassroots.

“We are bringing our women to global market. This is not just about learning and running cooperatives the way we have been used to doing it.

“That is why we refer to ourselves as ‘game changers’. We are going international.

“We want that woman in the village to be able to produce and package her goods very well in accordance with international best practice.

“She must also learn how to save her money as well as being knowledgeable in banking history.

“Since we started Quintessential in 2013, we have achieved a lot.

“Today, we have women at the grassroots who are registered in various financial institutions and know how to ask for interest, including understanding the type of loan which can be beneficial to them as cooperatives.

“They also now know how to keep their records of minutes so as to meet up with international standard and become viable cooperatives,” Tanko said.

Also, Femi Oyelade, the Marketing and Promotion Director, explained that part of their duty was the identification of members who were into different agricultural products.

“We identify these members and try to get details about their planting and harvesting period so that we can forecast to our prospective buyers; both local and international, when these products will be ready for export.

“In other words, we create the market for their products because sometimes the rural woman is faced with the challenge of producing without any available market to sell her produce.

“Basically, this is what Quintessential is all about and there are a lot of testimonies out there from our members,” he said.

Miss Keke Bongos, a Consultant in the Ministry of Agriculture who represented the Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, noted that it was a laudable programme for the women and youths at the grassroots.

“It would add value by helping establish cottage industries within the communities whereby they would have full and proper ownership of these industries,” he said.

NAN reports that stakeholders at the conference include GEMS4, ENABLE2, MADE, Propcom, Diamond Bank, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Others were Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and Industrial Training Fund.

The stakeholders agreed that women and youths in the country would need to adopt alternative financial option to harness better funding for their business in the face of the current financial challenges in the country.

They urged women to use cooperatives and other collective means to manage available funds.

The conference also deliberated on ways to improve family enterprise with the private sector in adding value to agricultural development. (NAN)

VO/FNO/OFN

Edited by Franca Ofili//Felix Nwadioha

Cameroonian Army lauds Nigeria on fight against Boko Haram
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Army
Maiduguri, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Cameroonian Army has commended the gallant effort of the Nigerian Army in chasing away Boko Haram terrorists from the country.

The Commander Sector 1 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Brig.-Gen. Bouba Dobekreo said this when he visited General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division, Nigerian Army Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu in Maiduguri.
Col. Mustapha Anka, spokesman of the division stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Dobekreo commended army for its gallantry in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, saying that such action has shown the determination of the Nigerian government to end terrorism.
Anka quoted the visitor as saying that the Boko Haram insurgency since its inception had affected the economy of Cameroon, especially as it concerned that Trans Sahara Trade.

Dobekreo described the GOC as a strategist, professional and team player, who believed in synergy and cooperation to achieve set objectives.
He thanked the GOC for all the support his troops enjoyed from his command, especially in the area of information sharing, and promised to maintain the already existing synergy between the two countries.
Dobekreo also described the challenges posed by the terrorists as a test for West African countries to handle security threats in the region by themselves.
He called on West African countries to always be security conscious along the borders of the Chad Basin.
The Cameroonian Commander promised to stand by Nigeria to end the insurgency in the shortest possible time.

Responding, the GOC thanked the Cameroonian Commander and then attributed their success to the relationship between the two countries through collaboration and capacity building in the fight against insurgency.

He described the visit as timely, saying it would afford the Commanders the opportunity to sit and re-strategise for the final onslaught against the terrorists. (NAN)
ABI/FNO/AFA
Edited by Franca Ofili/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-66
Policy

By Akeem Abas
Oyo (Oyo State), Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government has insisted on its “no automatic promotion” policy for schools as part of its effort to improve the standard of education in the state,

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, made this known in Oyo on Saturday when he inspected schools burnt and vandalised by protesting students.

Olowofela said the policy was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the student so that they would be able to perform well in any external examinations and wherever they found themselves.

The policy stipulates that students will be promoted from one class to another only if they score 50 per cent in their core courses, including Mathematics and English Language.

Three of the five schools are located in Oyo East and Atiba Local Government areas, while the remaining two are from Akinyele in Ibadan.

The schools shut down indefinitely are Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose; Ojoo High School, Ojoo, Ibadan and Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo.

Others are Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo and Oba Adeyemi High school, Oyo.

The protesting students allegedly vandalised infrastructure and burnt the administrative block, which school library, laboratory, classrooms and the principal’s office, at Isale Oyo Community High School in Oyo.

At the Isale Oyo Community High School, Olowofela described the destruction as massive, saying the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

“I am not sure the perpetrators are students. This is criminal, heinous and barbaric.The closure of the schools is permanent for now.

“The students will not only go unpunished but will pay to restore the infrastructure destroyed,” he said.

Mrs Florence Akande, the Principal of the school, described the attitude of the students as unruly and uncalled for.

Akande stated that the student had embarked on the heinous act, having collected their result sheets and were asked to repeat their classes.

She said that three suspects have been arrested by the police over the criminal acts, and urged the state government to ensure they did not go unpunished.

Similarly, Mrs Abegunde Adeseun, the Vice-Principal, Anglican Methodist Gramnar School, Oyo, said that the students destroyed several infrastructure in the school on account of not been promoted.

However, Mrs Oluwafadekemi Oyewo, the Principal, Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo, said that the problem at the school on Thursday was targeted at human lives.

Oyewo stated that some of their students had earlier in the week amidst outsiders carried out a mob action on the school, stoning and threatening their teachers.

She said that the students, who came in batches and in masks have one of those hired injured and rushed to the hospital.

She said that the management of the school, some parents and a delegation had paid a visit to the injured at the hospital before he gave up the ghost on Wednesday.

Oyewo said that the incidence led to the mass violence and destruction of some infrastructure at the school on Thursday, with threats on the live of its staff.

NAN reports that the two schools in Ibadan visited on Friday also have some of their property destroyed.

The state government had introduced the policy having noted the poor performance of its students in the external examinations, especially the West African School Certificate Examination.

The performance ratio of students, who had five credits including Mathematics and English Language in the last six years was 16.97 per cent in 2011; 21.35, 2012; 21.79, 2013; 19.19, 2014; and  21.61, 2015.

The commissioner stated that the state government would not reverse the policy, despite the level of damages to the schools, urging the students to brace up for the new standard.

“We will not reverse the policy nor renege on our promise to improve the standard of education in our schools across the state.

“All we want is strict compliance with the policy to build the capacity of the students and ensure that they can perform outstandingly wherever they find themselves,” he said.(NAN)

TAA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NCC designing programmes to include rural communities in telecom services

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NCC
By Constance Athekame
Kaduna, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Prof Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said on Saturday that the commission was designing programmes to provide telecommunication access to rural communities.
Danbatta made this disclosure while speaking on the sidelines of the 4th National Council on Communication Technology meeting in Kaduna.

He said that the Council have special programmes targeted on the unserved and underserved communities in the country.

The NCC boss said that these communities include rural communities and isolated population, where telecommunication services are not available and where commercial operators are reluctant to go.

“The commission recognises this important part of the Nigerian population and we have designed programmes that are targeted specifically towards these communities.

, “We have recently identified 207 access gap, which we are trying to block and these access gaps are depriving about 40 million Nigerians access to telecom services.

“We have this on agenda and on the front burnner of our regulative drive to ensure that these access gaps are blocked.

“By deploying infrastructure that will allow these Nigerians to enjoy telecom services, no matter where they are and no matter what their circumstances is,’’ he said.

Danbatta, speaking on cyber crime, said that the commission would not hesitate to protect the country’s cyberspace by putting constant measures in place that would guarantee the privacy and security of Nigerians.

He called on policy makers to put corporate measures in place that would make cyber space safe.

“The policy makers must at the same time, while deploying the power of ICT to leverage on the required diversification of the economy, put measures in place that will make cyber space safe,” he said. (NAN)
COA/FNO/AFA
Edited Franca Ofili/Felix Ajide
======================

NAN-H-61
Stroke
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Director, Stroke Action Group, Dr Biodun Ogungbo said on Saturday that stroke was easier to prevent than to treat.

Ogungbo made this assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on the occasion to commemorate the World Stroke Day.

“If someone had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital for emergency, the person will require blood test, ECG, chest X-ray, Ultrasound scan, brain scan and other initial treatment.

“Others could require a blood clotting drug and that put together could cost almost a million naira at two or three hours of arrival in the hospital.

“However, for a lot of people they would need continued care, life long medication to prevent further stroke.

Ogungbo told NAN that prevention was better than cure, adding that healthier lifestyle choice was the preventive measure.

He said the stroke day was to sensitise Nigerians on risk associated with stroke, adding that hypertension was a risk factor of stroke.

“Hypertension is a silent killer and does not give any sign, immediately hypertension start giving signs, then, it has damaged the heart, brain and eyes.

“The complications can occur at any time even during sleep,” Ogungbo said.

He, however, said the day was to remind Nigerians on causes and preventive measures on spine issues, neurological, stroke, heart attack and sudden death.

Ogungbo advised Nigerians to embark on regular medical check-up to prevent heart and brain related illnesses. (NAN)

OEO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-60
Rulers
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Borgu (Niger) Oct. 29,2016 ( NAN) Gov. Abubakar  Bello of Niger on Saturday urged traditional rulers in the state to do more in promoting peaceful co-existence among their subjects.

Bello made the call in Borgu at the presentation of staff of office to the new Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Dantoro.

He said that peaceful atmosphere would promote development and enable government to concentrate in providing democracy dividends.

According to the governor, the state government will continue to initiate policies and programmes that will better the lots of the governed irrespective of political affiliations.

Bello expressed concern over the rising influx of people to the state in search of greener postures.

He urged the royal fathers to be vigilant and security consciousness in monitoring the conduct and behaviour of visitors coming into their domains.

In his remarks, Dantoro commended the effort of the state government for coming out with laudable policies that have been improving the lots of the people.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support as well as state government for making the ceremony a successful one.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that President Buhari was represented at the event by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory,  Alhaji Mohammed  Bello. (NAN)
AAG/FNO/AFA
Edited by Franca Ofili/Felix Ajide
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NAN-ELS-2

Award

By Collins Yakubu-hammer

Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Love To The World Initiative, in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA) is set to host the `Heal The Land/Bridge Builders Award’ in November.

The president of the NGO, Mrs Josphine Abraham, also known as ‘Anumbor’ made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

She said the award was to remedy the undeniable feeling of insecurity and discontent following a spate of violence, destruction of lives, property and infrastructure, as well as the lack of religious and ethnic tolerance. In many parts of the country.

She added that “the award also aims to appeal to the conscience of every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliations and status to change from selfishness to selflessness, and contribute to the progress of Nigeria.

“The event is also to recognize and celebrate exemplary Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in promoting peaceful co-existence, brotherliness and religious tolerance in the nation.

“The event, to be hosted by National Orientation Agency and us will recognise six states out of the 36 states of the federation for their friendliness to visitors, dwellers and businesses.

“Awards will be given to individuals and states which have distinguished themselves in the promotion of peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and hospitality across the nation,’’ Abraham said.

She explained that Nigerians must undermine the forces of discord by promoting harmony, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and patriotism. (NAN)

CMY/HA

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-H-54
Grains
Maiduguri, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Saturday claimed that 100 trucks of grains meant for to Internally Displaced Persons in the North East were diverted during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonthan.

Ndume made the assertion in Maiduguri while handing over grains to Borno Government for the IDPs, supplied to the state by the Federal Government.

He alleged the 100 trucks were diverted by the same contractor who also cornered 31 trucks of grains meant for IDPs since April.

The senate leader said the 100 trucks of grains were out of 600 trucks approved by Jonathan, while the 31 missing trucks were out of the 300 approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in April.

Ndume said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] had delved into the issue of the grains diverted in April.

“The contractor was reported to the EFCC for action and nine more trucks were recovered, the EFCC also promised to recover all the remaining trucks, ” Ndume said.

He said 29 trucks were traced to the National Strategic Reserve depot in Minna, leaving a total of 31 trucks unaccounted for.

“I am passionate about the issue of the missing 31 trucks of grains because I am an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) myself.

“After been given the trust to transport the grains, somebody went and diverted it, I am assuring you that the EFCC is doing its job on the matter, ” Ndume said.

He added: “When we dug up we found it was a cartel, a syndicate or at best a group of thieves doing this to us; there was a great connivance and head will roll.”

“There is a second phase of the case coming up because they also stole our grains during the regime of Present Good luck Jonathan, am going to follow it up too.

“Jonathan ordered the release of 600 trucks and they stole more than 100 trucks out of it,” he said.

Ndume added: “They cannot go to sleep while am alive, I will follow it up because it is the same contractor.” ( NAN)
ABI/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed