Blog

NAN-HG-10
Seminar
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 80 medical personnel’s  attended a three-day surgical seminar organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health.

ICRC made the disclosure in a statement signed by Ms Eleojo Akpa, its Media Officer and made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

The statement said that ICRC, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, organised the seminar to improve the skills needed by the personnel to respond to traumatic injuries.

Akpa quoted Karl Mattli, ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Nigeria as saying that medical care is one of the most important needs in the North-East apart from food and shelter.

“It is quite obvious that one of the most basic needs in the North-East right now is access to adequate medical care, apart from food and shelter,

“Since its inception in 2012, nearly 400 Nigerian medical practitioners have attended the surgical seminar.

“Presently in its seventh year, the seminar has provided doctors and nurses additional skills to treat patients wounded by weapons and those in need of an amputation,’’ Mattli said.

The statement quoted Mr Padshah Hashemi, ICRC Health Coordinator in Nigeria, as saying that two surgical teams from ICRC work on the field to support Nigerian patients and medical personnel.

“Our surgical teams working outside the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri have operated on 1,500 weapon-wounded patients this year,’’ Hashemi added.

Akpa said ICRC supported 16 state primary health care centres and eight mobile clinics which provided primary health care services to internally displaced persons, returnees and residents in North-East.

She said between the month of January and August, no fewer than 309,000 patients attended the clinics.

“Between January and end of August the clinics delivered 10,500 babies in the same period.

“8,650 children under age five who suffered from severe acute malnutrition also received treatment in South Borno state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, the ICRC is a Non-Governmental Ogranisation established to protect and assist persons affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. (NAN)

TIM/EAL/AEA
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-39
PDP
By Mufutau Ogunyemi
Akure, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Youths in the Ondo State chapter of the PDP on Friday in Akure protested the inclusion of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim`s name in the list of governorship candidates by INEC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC on Thursday included Ibrahim`s name in the list of candidates to contest the Nov. 26 governorship election, citing a court order.

But the youths, who carried different placards with various inscriptions, embarked on a protest, forcing some commercial banks and other business outfits to quickly shut their gates while vehicular movement was impeded.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Adebayo Abayomi, the PDP Youth Leader in Ondo State, expressed disappointment with the development.

Also speaking with NAN, Mrs Esther Ebiwonjumi, a PDP women leader in the state, said the protesters were demonstrating to show their grievances and displeasure at the decision of INEC.

But appealing to the protesters, Mr Edward Ajogun, a Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Ondo State Command, said that the protest must not degenerate into breakdown of law and order.

Ajogun noted that the issue on ground could only be addressed by the courts, adding that the INEC office was a high security area which needed to be protected.

He urged the protesters not to allow hoodlums to seize advantage of the development to disrupt the peace and security of the state.

Also speaking, Mr Segun Agbaje, the state`s Resident Electoral Commissioner, said that the commission only adhered strictly to a court order.

Agbaje, who said that the electoral body was not in support of anyone or party, added that it was only being fair to all.

He admonished the protesters not to allow the ugly political incident that occurred in 1983 to repeat itself. (NAN)
OMA/MOL/OJO
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-40
Rape
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The police on Friday arraigned a middle-aged man, Dominic Abutu, in a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for unlawfully detaining a 20-year-old girl for sexual purpose.

Abutu of Karimo, Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful detention and rape, which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, John Simon, said that the matter was reported by Jennifer Buba at the Wuse Police Station on Oct. 20.

Simon said that the complainant received a call from her niece stating that she was held hostage by the defendant at his house.

He said that the victim was staying at Mpape with her Aunt before the defendant got her a job as a housemaid in Maitama.

The prosecutor said that after some days the victim called the defendant and complained that she didn’t like the place she was working.

Simon said that the defendant asked her to come to his house so that he could take her to another house to work.

He said that since then the defendant unlawfully detained the victim against her will to have unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 273 and 275 of Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Senior Magistrate, Fatima Bukar, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200, 000 with a surety in like sum.

Bukar said that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the matter till Nov. 14 for hearing. (NAN)
UMD/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-HE-6
Farming
Akun(Nasarawa State), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Mr Peter Angbazo, the District Head of Wakama in Nasarawa State, has advised Nigerians to go back to the farm to boost food production.
Angbazo made the call on Friday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his palace in Wakama, Akun Development area of the state.
He said that Nigerians must go back to the farm as well as acquire skills and other vocations for the country to achieve food sufficiency and overcome current economic challenges.
The district head also appealed to government at all levels to give more attention to agriculture if the country must live beyond oil.
“No society cannot live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family, nation and its importance cannot be overemphasised,’’ he said.
“If youths and other Nigerians go back to farm, it will not only reduce overdependence on oil, but will also fight poverty, unemployment and the present economic recession facing the country will be a thing of the past.’’
Angbazo commended his people for living in peace and called on them to sustain and enhance the tempo of unity and development.
The district head enjoined the people to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations. (NAN)
AKW/DUA/TA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H- 35
Candidate
By Ayodeji Alabi
Akure, Oct.28, 2016 (NAN) Some PDP youths in Ondo State on Friday protested in Akure over the publication of the name of Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the party for the Nov. 26 poll.

The protesters alleged that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) replaced Mr Eyitayo Jegede as candidate.

The protesters carried placards, some of which read, ‘’No Jegede, no election’’ and ‘’Jegede is our own.’’

The protest prompted some commercial banks to close their gates as the protesters made bonfires and blocked some roads, such as   Cathedral and Road Block areas.

The situation forced  commercial vehicles to withdraw and commuters disembarked from vehicles to walk to their destinations, while students returned to their homes.

Meanwhile, ASP Femi Joseph, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Command, has appealed to the people to keep calm as efforts are made to restore normalcy in the state.

Joseph said in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the police personnel had been deployed to the scene of protests along Oba Adesida Road.

“We are aware and our men are on their way to the scene, I will speak with you more as the incident develops.

“We are trying to coordinate our men so that the incident will not escalate,” he said.

Also, the Ondo State Government appealed ‘’for calm and peace over the conflicting pronouncements emanating from the Courts and INEC’’ on the gubernatorial candidates for the   election.

The Ondo State Information Commissioner, Mr Kayode Akinmade, who made the appeal in a statement, urged the people to keep calm and not resort to self- help.

He said that that steps were being taken to ensure that there was no miscarriage of justice and the will of the people  respected.

Akinmade advised the people not to destroy life and property ‘’because any untoward reaction at this moment will only heighten the body polity’’.

He said human blood was ‘’too precious to be sacrificed on the altar of politics and politicking’’.

The commissioner added that the peace and tranquility which the state had enjoyed in the last seven and a half years should not be truncated.

NAN recalls that INEC had announced Jimoh as the PDP candidate for the election with 27 others, who showed interest to run on other platforms.

Jimoh and Jegede belong to different factions of PDP, one led by Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi and the other led by Alhaji Ali Modu Sherif, either of which claims to be the legitimate group.

While the Markarfi group,  the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, lays claim to its legitimacy on its appointment by the National Convention, the Sherif group insists that its powers devrive from a court judgment.

NAN learnt that INEC took decision based on the judgment. (NAN)

AYO/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NMA provides free medical treatment for 6,000 patients in Adamawa

NAN-HG-1

Outreach

Yola, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 6,000 patients have benefitted from free healthcare services provided by members of the Medical Association of Nigeria (NMA) in Adamawa.

The state Chairman of the association, Dr Adiel Adamu, made this known on Friday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

Adamu said the free treatment extended to Internally Displaced Persons camp and other members of the public at Mubi General Hospital was part of activities line up for this year’s Physician’s Week.

“So far, we have attended to over about 6,200 patients, including 35 surgeries, while drugs worth over N7 million has been exhausted,” Adamu said.

He explained that 51 doctors and 30 supporting staff were involved in the free treatment exercise expected to end today (Friday).

On challenges facing doctors in Adamawa, Adamu listed lack of convenient working environment, equipment, training and re-training.

“We also have problem of salary and incentives like housing loan,’’ the union leader said.

The chairman therefore called on the state government to improve medical and healthcare facilities as well as the welfare of doctors to deliver quality and effective services. (NAN)
AMA/YMU/MST

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-DS-4
Cases
By Sunday John
Lafia, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), resolved over 600 civil cases in Nasarawa state, between January and October this year.

Mr Lawan Bashir-Kano, NSCDC Commandant in the state, made the disclosure on Friday in Lafia when he received members of the Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Nasarawa State chapter.

He said that some of the cases were resolved by NSCDC Conflict Mediation Officers in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, as well as 18 Development Areas.

He said that other cases were handled by the state command headquarters of the corps.

Bashir-Kano said that the NSCDC also received other cases which it transferred to relevant agencies as they were not within the core mandate of the corps.

“Some of these cases were settled, some were transferred to the police and other relevant agencies, while investigation into some others are still going on,’’ the commandant said.

He said that several people in the rural areas do not understand the mandate of the corps.

Bashir-Kano explained that when rural dwellers bring cases that were outside the mandate of the corps, they were accepted but transferred to appropriate agencies.

He urged members of the public to take advantage of the peace and conflict resolution department of the NSCDC to settle their disputes and avoid taking laws into their hands.

He assured journalists of the readiness of the command to partner the NUJ to curtail criminal elements in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Sulieman Abubakar, Chairman, Correspondents chapel, said the visit was to familiarise with the command and introduce its new officials.

He stressed the need for the state command of the NSCDC to collaborate with journalists to publicse its activities. (NAN)
SDJ/JEY/AEA
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-38
Sentence
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old applicant, Salisu Ali, to two months imprisonment for stealing a street security lamp.

Ali of no fixed address was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft.

The Senior Magistrate, Teribo Jim, convicted Ali after he pleaded guilty and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Jim, however, did not give the convict an option to pay a fine, hold that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

Prosecutor Haruna Alfa had told the court that a police patrol team attached to Wuse Police Station arrested the convict on Oct. 19.

Alfa said that the convict was arrested at the Wuse axis with a street security lamp that he cut off from the fence.

He said the convict was arrested with a plier and could not give satisfactory account of what he was doing with the items.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 297 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UMD/ORO/OFN
Edited by Razak Owolabi//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-DS-3
Meeting
Kafanchan (Kaduna State), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Afana District of Bajju Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State have resolved co-exist peacefully irrespective of their differences.

This followed a meeting convened on Friday by the District Head of Adana, Mr Kure Malam, aimed at cementing the peaceful atmosphere between the two communities.

Bishop Simon Mutum, spokesperson for the host community, and Alhaji Maigamu Afana, who spoke on behalf of the herdsmen, vowed to uphold the agreement in the interest of peace and development of the area.

They, however, cautioned each other against any breach of the agreement, warning that it could lead to sanctions on the defaulting party.

In an interview with NAN shortly after the meeting, the District Head said the decision to convene the meeting was to consolidate on the mutual trust and understanding between the two groups.

He said it was also to guard against any breach of the peace. (NAN)
MGK/ORO/AMY
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-7

Summon

Lafia, Oct.27, 2016(NAN) Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology, has summoned the contractor handling a project at the College of Agriculture, Lafia, to appear before it on Monday.

The committee also directed the company handling the consultancy services in respect of the work at the college to also appear before it.

The two firms are Namairo Nigeria Ltd, and Canonic Associates.

Mr Daniel Ogazzi, Chairman of the committee gave the directive on Friday after the committee inspected some ongoing projects at the college.

“Our general assessment is that, we are not satisfied with the level of the ongoing work, especially on the construction of the three-storey to serve as male and female hostel.

“We will not accept any poor job; the entire people of the state need quality work for durability as well as to ensure that students learn in an environment conducive for learning.

“It is in view of this that we are summoning the contractor handling the work to appear before our committee on Monday, 31, unfailingly at the assembly complex,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee also inspected the college’s clinic, Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre and an abandoned female hostel project among others.

Ogazzi advised contractors handling government projects to use quality materials and avoid sharp practices.

The committee chairman restated the commitment of the assembly to enact laws that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state. (NAN)

BAB/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Maharazu Ahmed
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