Blog

NAN-H-45

Probe

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said his administration would not probe the administration of his predecessor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

Ganduje stated this at an interactive session with newsmen in Sokoto on Saturday.

He said, “though there are so much issues of probe across most of the states and the country, but in Kano State, I will not probe the past administration.

“We are only committed to ensuring that all government’s uncompleted projects and programmes left by the past administration are put into use for the benefits of our state.

“Moreover, we will ensure completion of all projects that are due and genuine as well as initiate more in such direction for the overall development of the society,” he said.

The governor also said that their retreat in Sokoto was aimed at discussing issues relating to the party as an institution in order to design a change in the party administration.

“This is to change the usual tradition of party administration in Nigeria, as once election has held, usually, political parties go into hiding and become inactive.

“So, we are all here in Sokoto in order to deliberate on how we can strengthen our party in Kano State  and address the demands of the masses, ” he said.

Ganduje said that the political party leader will as well be educated in order to maintain the internal democracy in the system.(NAN)

MNB/DO/AMY  

Edited by David Onilede and Abdullahi Yusuf

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NAN-H-35
Nurses
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Oct.29, 2016(NAN) Members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have expressed concern over the shortage of nurses and midwives in public health facilities in the country.

The National President of the association, Alhaji Abdulrafiu Adeniji, expressed the concern at the 6th quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the association in Osogbo on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference has as its theme: “Nursing Education in Contemporary Nigeria System; Issues and Challenges.’’

Adeniji said it had become imperative for the government to address the issues of acute shortage of Nurses and Midwives to guarantee adequate health service delivery.

He said that the shortage was an irony of sort, in the face of “torrents of qualified nurses and midwives “who are unemployed.

Adeniji said this anomaly had been responsible for the continuous brain drain, coupled with lack of adequate remuneration and incentives.

He said that stagnation in the promotion of his members and threat of demotion and reduction in the take-home pay were also serious challenges facing nurses and midwives at various health facilities around the country.

Adeniji further condemned the disparity between the remuneration of his members and other professionals in the sector and called for urgent intervention by the Federal Ministry of Labour.

“It is pertinent to draw the attention of the government to the acute shortage of nurses and midwives in our public health facilities despite the high number of qualified unemployed professionals.

“We also want the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the issues of arbitrary demotion of our members and the increasing cases of victimisation so that there would not be brain drain.

“Our members are confronted with the challenge of discrimination by the disparity of remuneration between our profession and other medical professionals.

“All these and many more must be addressed by the government to put the sector in a right footing,” he said.

Adeniji also called for adequate infrastructural and functional equipment in the sector, alongside consistent advocacy towards appropriate maintenance culture. (NAN)
DOO/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-2
Constitution
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Tijani Umar, President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Saturday in Abuja urged for all hands to be on deck as the federation puts in place its Constitution.

“This call is necessary, in order for all of us in the basketball family to do this once and for all, so as to safeguard the future of the sport in the country,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Umar said putting the Constitution in place was not about autonomy as many may construe but about ensuring the game was run in line with due process and global practices.

“Doing this is not about any autonomy, but because we have to ensure due process in all we do in running the game in Nigeria and keep up with what obtains worldwide,’’ he said.

The NBBF president called for support from all stakeholders, especially the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, in order to achieve this.

“The issue about having our Constitution, which will be in line with what the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) demands, is long overdue.

“So, we need all the logistics and all the support, especially from the Ministry,’’ he said.

Umar said the process of putting in place the Constitution had already started with all major stakeholders going through the draft copy on Friday and Saturday in Abuja.

“The NBBF Executive Committee meeting which started on Friday has been going through the draft copy. The meeting is an enlarged one, involving all major stakeholders.

“Notes and submissions on this copy will be deliberated upon and collated for another copy which we will submit to FIBA and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) for their input.

“The federation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will then ratify the final copy in January,’’ he said.(NAN)

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-S-1
Basketball
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Habu Gumel, President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), has urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) not to rest on its oars but to continue to work towards achieving set targets.

Gumel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja the NBBF has always been toeing the right path in all its programmes and should not relent in this.

He said the NBBF Executive Board meeting which was aimed at planning for the next four years and putting in place the Federation’s Constitution was a laudable move.

“This meeting, and the fact that the NBBF has involved the NOC, is a laudable idea. It is a potent move in the way to ensuring there is an understanding between us and an exchange of ideas,’’ the NOC President said.

Gumel who attended the NBBF Executive Committee meeting’s opening alongside Sani Ndanusa, a member of the Sports Committee of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), said the development was important.

“This is important for us all. It is important for sports development in Nigeria, for the IOC and CGF to have the right synergy with the national sports federations.

“It will enhance a good chain of information, ideas and relationships,’’ the member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said.

He said the NBBF had being doing well in recent years, especially in qualifying its senior male team for the Olympic Games of 2012 and 2016 in London and Rio respectively.

“NBBF through the D’Tigers did their best at these Games, but there are still many more heights to climb, especially before the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 which we want them to be at again, to consolidate on their earlier appearances.

“There is the Youth Commonwealth Games (YCG) in Bahamas in 2017, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) at Buenos Aires in Argentina in 2018, the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast in Australia in 2018 and the African Games in 2019.

“The Nigerian basketball teams are expected to qualify for these events to be able to build on what they already have on ground, in order to have a fantastic outing in Tokyo in 2020 as expected.

“Therefore, the moment to start preparing for these Games is now, especially in the area of sourcing for funding and training the teams.

“I commend the NBBF on their plans to start preparing from now on. We should not always wait until it is very late before we start to prepare,’’ Gumel said.

The IOC Member said it was instructive to note that NBBF had been doing well in the area of preparing its youth teams.

He pointed out that this was going to soon stand the Federation in good stead.

Gumel also said the Federation’s moves to put in place a Constitution, in line with global practices, is a laudable move that should be emulated by all other national sports federations.

“We have asked the federations to submit to us their copies of Constitution. It is important they do this, in view of the fact that the elections are ahead. We are happy with NBBF’s efforts so far in this regard,’’ he said.

The NOC President further praised NBBF and other national sports federations for the virtually non-existent problem of doping in Nigerian sports.

“It is a well-known fact that doping is a global problem now, and it is big, but it is less and almost non-existent in Nigeria. However, we have to maintain this present status.

“We have to have clean athletes. We should not go to competitions to go and win and later get disgraced. In this regard, we need to continue to talk to our coaches and athletes to be properly educated and guided,’’ he said.(NAN)

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Naira exchange: Mubi Emirate urges FG to intervene, rescue cattle business

NAN-H-33
Emirate
Mubi (Adamawa) Oct. 29, 2016 ( NAN) The Federal Government has been called upon to intervene and rescue the largest cattle market in West Africa from collapse due to weak of naira exchange.

The Sarki Tuke of Mubi Emirate in Adamawa, Alhaji Rabi’u Ali made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mubi on Saturday.

He said that the emirate is worried that the rate of naira exchange with neighbouring countries CFA was threatening the cattle business in the country.

He said that presently, Cameroon CFA was being changed at a rate of N750 as against N300.

According to him, the development is seriously affecting the market.

Sarkin Tuke, is one of the oldest traditional title found in the Northern part of the country , means the Head of cattle market.

He explained that Mubi cattle market was the biggest cattle business centre in West Africa, where five countries supply cows on daily basis.

According to the leader, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Sudan, Cameroon and Niger Republics are the major suppliers of cattle into the market.

“On daily basis no less than 40 to 50 trucks load of cattle leave this market to southern and other parts of the country.

“But our major challenges are ramparts extortion of cattle dealers on major highways from North to the South and the value of naira exchange to the CFA.

‘Because 70 per cent of the cattle come from our neighbouring countries,” Ali said.

Sarki Tuke said that the situation had pushed some of the dealers out of the business while some had increased the cost of the commodity at the detriment of their customers.

Ali equally observed that the development is threatening the business as whole and appealed to the government to intervene. (NAN)
AMA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Military to launch operation against violent herdsmen – Defence Spokesman

NAN-DS-1

Interactive

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Military will soon launch an operation to tackle security challenges posed by herdsmen across the country, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar made the disclosure at an interractive media session in Kaduna on the role of the media in national security.

“We are coming out with another operation code named “Operation Accord” to address the issue of herdsmen clashes,” Abubakar said.

He disclsoed that the military had carried out 13 operations to ensure peace and order across the country.

The defence spokesman assured that the military would not allow any individual or group to destabilise Nigeria.

“We will not spare any security threat in any part of the country, we will contain it; national security will not be compromised.

“Today, no Nigeria territory is under the control Boko Haram, no illegal flag foisted on our land.

“We will synergise with other security agencies to secure the remaining Chibok school girls, and everyone who is under Boko Haram custody.”

He urged the media to support the military in the course of its duties in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and its people.

Abubakar stressed that the media remained a veritable tool of mass mobilization and enlightenment of the populaces on what the military was doing to secure the country

“Media is an important organ that we cannot ignore especially during security operations.

“The essence is to collaborate and synergise to make citizens understand what the Armed Forces is doing to keep Nigeria one as a nation.

“National security is not about guns and uniforms, it is beyond that, our concern is the safety of our citizens and their property, so that one can move freely without any security threat.”

He therefore tasked journalists to be professional and patriotic in the discharge of their duties, and desist from promoting hate speeches capable of incting violence.(NAN)

TJ/MZA

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-HE-1
Sterling
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Sterling Bank Plc has posted gross earnings of N79.66 billion for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016.

According to a statement by the bank in Lagos on Saturday, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the figure was lower than N81.81 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2015.

It stated that the bank’s profit before tax stood at N6.07 billion against N8.30 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2015.

The bank’s Net Interest Margin, which measures the profitability of the core lending business, improved to 8.5 per cent in third quarter of 2016 as against 7.9 per cent in the preceding period of 2015.

Its non-performing loans (NPL) improved significantly from 4.8 per cent in December 2015 to 2.5 per cent in third quarter of 2016.

The bank’s cost of funds rose to 5.3 per cent against 6.2 per cent in the corresponding period of 2015.

The bank’s net interest income rose by 37.6 per cent to N41.5 billion from N30.2 billion recorded in third quarter 2015.

Non-Interest Income, however, reduced by 47.6 per cent to N10.8 billion as against N20.5 billion, mainly because of 34.2 per cent decline in fees and commission.

Total assets, excluding contingent liabilities increased by 11.4 per cent to N890.3 billion as against N799.5 billion recorded at the beginning of the year.

Commenting on the result, the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Yemi  Adeola, attributed the improvements to the company’s commitment in building a sustainable business anchored on effective risk management and a robust retail business.

“Sterling Bank has grown its active customer base by over 40 per cent year-to-date with improved penetration across all digital channels.

The non-interest banking business has also witnessed significant growth in deposits and profitability by 87 per cent and 415 per cent respectively.

This gives fillip to our resolve to diversify our business significantly over the coming years,’’ Adeola said.

He said that the bank would continue to prioritise operating efficiency and aggressively drive retail funding.

Adeola said that the tough operating environment characterised by foreign exchange supply shortages, rising inflation, negative economic growth and recessionary environment had sustained downward pressure on core earnings in the industry. (NAN)
JNC/AJA
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(Edited by  Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-14
Bills
By Bosede Olufunmi
Kano, Oct.29,2016(NAN) The Kano State Water Board has urged water consumers in the state to settle their bills to enable the Board serve them better.

The General Manager (Commercial) of the board, Alhaji Auwalu Mohammed, made the call an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Saturday.

Mohammed said this would enable the board to pay staff salaries, settle electricity bills as well as effect good maintainance on water facilities.

He also called on the consumers to report any water leakages to the nearest office of the board so as to avoid water contamination. (NAN)
BO/AMY/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NEMA confirms 9 dead, 24 injured in Maiduguri twin explosion
NAN-H-13
Explosion
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said nine persons had died and 24 others were injured in two explosions that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, in Maiduguri, Borno.

Mr Sanni Datti, Head of Media, NEMA, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

Datti said that one of the explosions occurred at the entrance to the Bakasi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, while the second happened at the NNPC filling station along Damboa road, Maiduguri.

He said the injured persons had been evacuated from the scene of the incidents and admitted to various hospitals in Maiduguri.

“As at the time of this report, the NEMA rescue team had evacuated victims. More updates on the incidents and rescue details will come later,” the spokesman said. (NAN)
LIZ/AMM/AMY
Edited by Abiemwense Moru and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-6

Rice

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Oct. 29, 2016 (NAN) Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture Mustapha Gajerima says that rice farmers in the state have scaled up their production following the ban on importation of rice.

Gajerima made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dayama village, Yobe  on Saturday.

He said that farmers were exploiting the advantage of the ban to scale up production and develop local content.

According to him, the state has recorded increase in farming activities, especially rice, guinea corn, millet, sesame seeds and vegetables across the state.

“It is very encouraging to see such a great number of irrigation farmers springing up in the state planting vegetables, rice and wheat,” he said.

The commissioner said public officers, including commissioners, legislators, elites and civil servants were into irrigation farming thereby encouraging the subsistence farmers.

“I have personally cultivated 11 hectares of farm in Damaya with vegetables which also trains over 30 youths in irrigation farming.

Gajerima said the 765 km River Yobe provides great potential for irrigation farming on the vast arable land along the river basins.

He said the state government had earmarked 1,500 hectares of land for cultivation of rice, wheat and vegetables in Nguru, Jumbam and Giedam to enhance food security.

He said “over 4,000 youths will be engaged to cultivate rice, wheat and vegetables to complement rain-fed agriculture, and guaranty food security.”

Musa Katuzu, a rice farmer in Gashua, said the ban on rice importation had increased patronage of the local rice and improve production.

“All we need now are processing machines to process the local rice like what is obtained in the foreign product,” he said.

Aliyu Abubakar, a farmer in Nguru, said “Yobe has a large farming population and the natural potential to cultivate rice needs of Nigeria.

“Government should provide farmers with facilities and, l assure you that we will meet the food requirements of Nigeria and export others to earn revenue, ” Abubakar assured.

He appealed for dredging of river Yobe to improve the water flow for enhanced irrigation and fishing activities.

The farmers, however,  urged the state government to provide storage facilities to preserve tomatoes, onions,mpepper and provide markets for the harvests to encourage farmers. (NAN)

MM/OFN

Edited by Nwadioha