Blog

NAN-H-68

Genotype

Ilorin, Oct 28, 2016 (NAN) An Ilorin Area Court on Friday dissolved the marriage between Romoke and Oseni Moses over genotype differences.

Romoke had approached the court, seeking a divorce over what she described as unmatched blood genotype.

She, however, said the union had produced two children, the first born, being 14 years old.

The plaintiff asserted that it was her parents that forced her to marry the husband, saying she never loved the man.

She appealed to the court to rescue her from the coercive union.

The plaintiff also told the court that she was now a prophetess in a church and would require freedom and more time to serve God.

She also sought a relief of the court to compel the husband to release their wedding certificate to her.

In his response, Oseni said the plaintiff had wanted to abandon him back in 2008 when he was critically ill.

He explained that the wife had been carrying her hatred for him since that time.

The defendant said he was not objecting the relief for divorce by the wife, but opposed the relief she sought to  release the wedding certificate.

In his verdict, the presiding judge, Mr AbdulQuadir Ibrahim dissolved the marriage as sought, but adjourned to Nov 29 for hearing on the claim to wedding certificate. (NAN)
AUO/MNA/YAZ

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-66
Appointment
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Some politicians on Friday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that those considered for political appointments were pre-informed before the news got into public glare.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the politicians were reacting to recent  rejection of federal appointments by some nominees.

Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the 2015 Presidential Candidate of the KOWA Party, said the normal thing was to have a discussion with the appointee.

“Of course, the normal, courteous and respectful thing to do is to first interact with anyone you want to appoint into a position.

“It is not everyone that is waiting to jump at any appointment. Also, there might be personal constraints which might make it impossible for a person to take up an appointment,” Sonaiya said.

Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, the National Chairman of a political group, Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria, also spoke in the same vein.

“It does not show seriousness to appoint people into positions without first informing them. Governance is a serious business.

“If I were the president of Nigeria, if I wish to appoint a minister for tourism , for instance, l will invite all those I consider suitable for the position and interview them thoroughly.

“From there, I would choose the best and the runners up would be in advisory positions to him or her.

“My government would be based on merit and excellence, not nepotism and partisanship,” Ndu said.

Mr Denis Aghanya, Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI), also suggested that nominees should be informed of such offers before the news would be brought to public glare.

He, however, said that turning down of offer of appointments by some persons under the current dispensation speaks volume of Mr President’s transparency and style of selection.

According to Aghanya, whether such offer was turned down is immaterial.

“As part of the fight against corruption, political appointments should purely be on merit as is currently done – a total deviation from the old practices when appointments were based on cash and carry.

“The president has taking a bold and positive step, other arms of governments at both state and local government levels should key into this laudable innovation,” Aghanya said.

However, Alhaji Musa Umar, APC Chieftain in Kano State, did not agree that appointees should be pre-informed about the offers.

“Appointment into a federal position is the prerogative of the President; in the same vein, state governors appoint members of their cabinet.

“In the history of such appointments in Nigeria, beneficiaries are, in most cases not informed,” Umar said. (NAN)

LED/BOLA/IGO
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ijeoma/ Popoola

NAN-F-21
Awards
By Mike Mbonye
Empangeni (South Africa), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Christopher Isike, a South Africa-based Nigerian don, has been elected as the first black Vice President of the South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS).

Isike, the Head of Department, Politics and International Studies, University of Zululand, Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, is also the first black African to be elected into the International Political Science Association Executive Council in the last 20 years.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Empengeni, Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa on Friday, that the awards would serve as a stimulus to further rebrand the Nigerian image.

The don said that the awards were a welcome development at a time some countries often focus on the negative image of Nigeria.

“ The awards have shown that Nigerian academics are contributing positively in South Africa and a huge value for us in terms of rebranding the Nigerian image,” he said.

Isike, a Professor of African Politics and Development, said it was an honour that those who did the nominations did not know him and only rewarded him based  on merit and hard work.

The don, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Union, Empangeni Ward, urged Nigerian scholars not to give up as hard work pays.

“ My message to Nigerian scholars is that they should not give up. Hard work pays. The awards are just the beginning for me.

“ What it tells me is that if you persevere , just keep doing the little things you are doing in the right way, it will pay-off at the end of the day,” he said.

NAN reports that  Isike’s teaching and research interests revolve around the quality of women’s political representation in Africa, women and peace-building on the continent as well as immigration to South Africa by Africans.

His interests also revolve around  human security, human factor development in Africa as well as soft power politics and development dynamics on the continent. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

FG to allocate more funds to irrigation projects in 2017 budget – Minister
NAN-H-24
Irrigation
By Dianabasi Effiong
Ogoja Cross River), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government would allocate more funds in the 2017 budget to revitalise existing irrigation projects in the country, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said.
The minister said this at the flag-off of the Youth/Graduate Empowerment Scheme in Ogoja, Cross River on Friday.
According to the minister, the youth empowerment scheme will be extended to the country’s 109 Senatorial Districts, reflecting the Songhai Integrated Farm Model in Benin Republic.
The minister also commended the youth farmers at the Ogoja Irrigation Project, adding that the scheme would continually engage selected participants in batches of 50.
According to him, the beneficiaries would be trained in crop farming, aquaculture, dairy farming, animal husbandry and food processing.
Adamu said the country’s River Basin Development Authorities were being re-energised to support government’s resolve to exploit land and water resources for food security and economic prosperity.
He said that government would maximise the operation and output of the river basin authorities through irrigation farming and aquaculture under the youth empowerment scheme.
In his remarks, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River said his administration would continue to empower the youth and graduate farmers to achieve their potentials in agriculture.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Ayade said the state government would reactivate the Banzara Rice Mill to assist rice farmers in the processing of their yields.
Ayade commended the Cross River Basin Development Authority for its giant strides especially in the area of irrigation, fish farming and management of water resources.
Earlier, Mrs Eta Eyo Ita, Managing Director, Cross River Basin Development Authority, said the Ogoja Irrigation Project, which was conceived in the 80’s, covered 168-hectares.
According to her, the project is designed to irrigate 125 hectares of land with 211 farmers and nine multipurpose cooperative societies.
Ita said the Ogoja community, known for rice farming, however, had no rice mill or de-stoning plant, forcing farmers to travel to Abakiliki in Ebonyi to process their yields.
Ita assured that the river basin authority would set up rice processing mill at the project site under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
She said the Authority was collaborating with the NYSC to training corps members and unemployed youths in fisheries, bottle water production and farm management.
Rita Ayim, Chairman, Ogoja Local Government, said the council would support the scheme in order to take youths off the streets and provide employment for young graduates.
Emmanuel Ugbe, Chairman of Obudu Local Government, lauded the federal government’s initiative in water supply and the creation of jobs for youths in the area. (NAN)
DOE/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-51
Integrity
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Executive Director, Victim Support Fund (VSF), Prof. Sunday Ocheche, on Friday said the foundation has infused integrity and confidence in its operations to gain international donor agencies confidence.

Ocheche told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the foundation had been very prudent in utilising the funds for the actual victims of insurgencies.

According to him, such steps will further elicit the hope and trust of international donor agencies in the foundation, thus encouraging them to render financial and relief support.

The VSF is set up to identify, among others, sources and ways of raising sustainable funding to support victims of Boko Haram insurgents and ascertain the persons, communities, facilities and economic assets affected by the terror activities.

He said that international organisations had previously regarded Nigerians as fraudulent and uses Non-Governmental Organisations as platforms to make money for their selfish interest.

“The Victim Support Fund is a reputable foundation that was set up to assist in meeting the needs of the victims of terror and we are very professional in our activities.

“We also realise the importance of assistance from well-meaning Nigerians and the international community; and that we have to work along with them.

“To gain their trusts, we need to demonstrate a high level of integrity, by judiciously utilising the funds for what they have been realised for.

“It’s about time Nigerians desist from using the plight of people to make money for themselves, and correct whatever wrong notion international organisations have formed.

“We, in the foundation, are working for the continuity of the purpose for which the fund was established and not for it to fold up just like that.

“We ensure that we touch the lives of those affected by terror, and to rebuild their hope,’’ Ocheche told NAN.

He said the foundation was in consultation with the Tony Blair Foundation to get its assistance in the rehabilitation of the victims of insurgency in the country.

Ocheche said the high rate of human and infrastructural destruction in the North-East requires the collaboration of well-meaning Nigerians, including foreign donor agencies, to reconstruct and reintegrate the victims. (NAN)
LIZ/FLP/IS
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-AE-10

Bird Flu

By Shuaib Sadiq

Kaduna, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Kaduna State Government says its officials are monitoring to curtail possible spread of bird flu, following reported outbreak of the disease on a small farm in the state.

Dahiru Abdullahi, the Information Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Development made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna.

Abdullahi said the virus was detected two weeks ago on a small poultry farm in Kujama, Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

He, however, said that the situation had since been brought under control with the affected farm quarantined to avoid further spread.

Abdullahi explained that the incident had been reported to the Bird Flu Desk of the World Bank in Abuja, for further necessary measures.

“While adequate measures are being taken by the livestock department of the ministry, the affected farm had since been isolated to curtail the virus from spread.

“We are also sensitizing poultry farmers to report any sign of the virus on their farms to officials of the ministry.”(NAN)
SSA/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

LAUTECH Visitation Panel: Olanipekun promises all-round success

NAN-H-21
LAUTECH
By Akeem Abas
Ogbomoso (Oyo State), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Chairman, Visitation Panel, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has assured the owner states of all-round success from the panel.
He gave the assurance on Friday at the inauguration ceremony of the panel held at the Senate Building of the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LAUTECH, a tertiary institution jointly owned by Oyo and Osun states, had in recent times been enmeshed in crisis of ownership and funding.
This situation has led to industrial action by the staff of the institution since June.
Olanipekun, the Pro-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, said that the panel would do its best to resolve the ownership tussle and funding problem.
He said that the panel would also ensure that the highly rated academic standard of the university was revived.
“Academic activities in the university have been paralysed due to lack of funding and disagreement between the owner states.

“Our panel will look into how the ownership of the institution and funding can be consolidated. We are to revive the university as a beacon of light.
“The people should expect spectacular academic excellence, output and input from us. I believe in the capabilities of members of the panel,’’ he said.
Olanipekun said that the university started well and they were all very proud of its successes and growth.
“I have a very serious doubt, if there is any state in Nigeria that has not benefitted from the institution.
“I don’t know if there is a state in Nigeria that has not produced a graduate from this institution.
“It is a joint property of Nigeria, joint property of the two states, joint property of the South West and joint property of humanity.’’
Olanipekun promised to make his wealth of experience as Pro-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, and a former Pro-Chancellor of University of Ibadan to bear on the outcome of the panel.
“With my experiences as Pro-Chancellor of some institutions, one is not starved of the experience on how to run universities of higher learning, most especially in Nigeria,’’ he said.

NAN reports that a visitation panel headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 19 after a meeting between the two owner states.

Other members of the panel are: Hon. Rasheed Afolabi (Osun), Prof. (Mrs) Akinola (Osun), Prof. Sola Fajana (Osun), Dr Tunji Olaopa (Oyo), Prof. Ayo Salami (Oyo) and Mr S. A. Raji (Oyo).

The panel has Mrs A. O. Makanjuola, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as Secretary. (NAN)
TAA/FF/TA
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Tajudeen Atitebi

 
NAN-H-50
Governorship
By Wandoo Sombo/Mabel Yakubu
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday adjourned till Nov. 10 hearing in the case filed by Olusegun Abraham, one of the aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ondo governorship election.

The hearing was adjourned due to failure of Abraham to serve the orders of the court on one of the defendants Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

The court had asked Akeredolu to come and show cause why an interim order restraining INEC from recognising him as the candidate of APC in the fourth coming election should not be granted.

Abraham had through an ex parte motion to asked the court to declare the process that produced Akeredolu as governorship candidate of APC as illegal.

This, he said, was on the grounds that it did not conform with the constitution of the party and guidelines set by the party for the primaries.

But the trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, had insisted that since the matter was sensitive, it would be fair if all parties to the suit were present in court before the order was made.

At the resumed hearing, Mr Akin Olujimi (SAN), Counsel to Akeredolu, insisted that Counsel to Abraham had not served him with the orders of the court requiring the defendants to come and show cause.

Olujimi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that because service was not effected, the hearing could not go on.

“That order was not served on Akeredolu. We came here to show cause why he should not grant such an order.

“One of the grounds we relied on was that even that order which the judge gave that we should come and show cause why he should not grant that order has not been served on us.

“We merely heard that such an order was made by the court from one of the parties and that is not the same thing as serving a copy of the order on all the defendants.

“So, the court has asked them to go and serve the 2nd defendant with the order,”Olujimi said.

On his part, Dr Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), urged the court to dispense with the matter before the election on Nov. 26.

He said if not, the plaintiff would be permanently shut down from participating in the election.

Akinseye-George told NAN that the defence team was only employing delay tactics in the matter because apparently their case had no substance. (NAN)
WS/PMY/OFN

FG licenses 6 slots to broaden broadband penetration
NAN-H-49
Broadband
By Constance Athekame
Kaduna Oct 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has licensed six slots of the 2.6 MHz spectrum for the deployment of 4G-LTE services in its efforts to broaden broadband penetration in Nigeria.

The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu announced this on Friday in Kaduna at the 4th National Council of Communication Technology.

Shittu said that broad penetration in Nigeria had reached 20.95 per cent, while the percentage of internet penetration had reached a milestone 47.44 per cent, which makes Nigeria, second in ranking in the Africa.

Shittu disclosed that the process for the licensing of broadband services on the 5.4 GHz spectrum bank and allocation of 70/80 GHz band (E-Band) had commenced.

The theme of the Council Meeting was “ICT as a Focal Point for Economic Diversification.’’

The minister said that the ICT sector would be re-engineered to expand the frontiers of its contribution towards facilitating Nigeria’s early exit from recessionary economies.

According to him, ICT innovation and entrepreneurship and the broadening of investment opportunities is one of the key avenues for increasing generated revenue in any economy, Nigeria not an exception.

Shittu said that ICT had become a fulcrum of the nation’s economy.

He, however, said that the challenge now was how to harness and leverage opportunities thrown up by new economy powered by ICT to address issues of revenue, investments and cost savings.

According to him, many developed countries around the world do not rely on the export of any raw materials, but on the development and export of ICT.

The minister listed Singapore, India and Thailand as examples of developing countries that had leveraged on ICT to make a difference in their economies.

Shittu informed the council that he had facilitated the draft of a Sector Strategic Plan for 2016-2020, to chart a short term framework for the sector.

He assured that his ministry would ensure that the ICT in Government Initiatives was sustained.

“Through Galaxy Backbone, government has provided internet access to about 400 MDAs, over 11,000 nodes of wireless LAN to all MDAs at the Federal Secretariat.

“Over 40,000 email addresses for government officials under the gov.ng domains. This has ensured that government data is hosted locally on a secured website with databack-up to MDAs and 200 servers hosting MDAs,’’ he said.

In the area of spectrum management, he said the Ministry of Communications had issued and renewed a total of 668 licenses from November 2015 to September 2016, and generating about N500 million as government revenue.

Shittu commended council members for attending the 4th Council Meeting, which is the first under his leadership as minister of communications.

Shittu said that the National Council on Communications like any other governmental sector council exists to facilitate inter-governmental consultations on ICT mattes and to avoid unnecessary disparities in developmental structures.

“This NCCT platform enables me, as the minister coordinating ICT development in the country to interact with the Commissioners in charge of ICT matters at the state level towards brainstorming on the optimal approach to ensure effective implementation of ICT policies across the country,’’ he said
COA/JEY/AFA
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Felix Ajide

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NAN-H-48
Cane
By Sylvester Thompson
Abuja,Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Gudu Upper Area Court in the FCT on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man,Obioma Ozokwe, to seven strokes of cane and cleaning of court toilet for stealing N250,000 worth of cables.

Ozokwe pleaded guilty and was convicted on a two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft.

The Upper Area court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, cautioned the convict to desist from a life of crime and to learn a trade.

The Prosecutor, Mr Gabriel Ayana, had told the court that Gbenga Agani of Apo Resettlement reported the matter at Apo Police Station on Oct. 24.

Ayana said that the complainant reported that Ozokwe trespassed into his building site and stole armoured cables valued N250,000.

“The cables belonged to the residents of the area who kept them in the site for safety,’’ Ayana said.

He also said that during police investigations, the stolen armoured cables were recovered in the convict’s possession.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 348 and 251 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
SET/MO/OFN
Edited by Morayo Omolade//Felix Nwadioha