Blog

NAN-H-110
Institute
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Dr Paul Mamza, the National President of Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN), has urged stakeholders to swiftly move the country from a consumer society to an
export-oriented country.

Mamza made the call at the Institute’s 27^th Annual General Meeting/Annual Technical Conference, with the theme “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Potential through Polymer Science and Technology” on Thursday in Abuja.

He said there was urgent need to diversify the economic base, adding that polymer scientists, technologists, engineers and industrialists could play a vital role in re-assessing the country’s hidden and non-exploited potential.

He added that “there must be partnership among government at all levels, the Institute and other sister organisations, in the effort to swiftly move this country from consumer society to an export- oriented country.

“We must develop ways to improve the lot of our people through interventions in self-employment and entrepreneurship skills-transfer.

“PIN is hereby affirming its willingness to assist Federal Government in all spheres of its professional endeavours through value-oriented contributions to successfully tackle inherent challenges of the current recession.

“With the vast pool of professionals in our institute and proper utilisation of knowledge, there is hope looming in the horizon.’’

The national president also urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for such partnership to be result-oriented.

He said PIN was ready to give the requisite support and assistance in all processes requiring the application of all facets of polymer science, technology, engineering and industrialisation.

Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, the Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) said that the theme of the conference was apt.

The RMRDC boss, represented by Dr Zainab Hammanga, the Director of Investment and Consultancy Services of RMRDC, said that the theme was in line with the current administration’s commitment to diversify the economy.

He added that import substitution and revival of agriculture, solid minerals and downstream sector of the petroleum industry would ultimately ensure economic growth and development of the nation.

He said that “the RMRDC, in its efforts to promote the development and optimal utilisation of Nigeria’s natural resources for industrial growth, is collaborating with polymer industry to address some of the challenges and constraints affecting the sector.”

In his remarks, Dr Amali Ejila, the Director, Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Zaria, said that the Nigerian polymer industry was not without its pitfalls against diversification.

According to him, it has been claimed that about 80 per cent of the various polymer used in the country are imported.

He, however, said that the local polymer experts were not encouraged to domesticate their skills.

He noted that the Nigerian petrochemical industry was yet to be developed to produce the essential chemical inputs required by polymer industries.

“The reality is that there is no virile polymer industry in Nigeria; the country has less than 500 polymer industries only compared with the total number of India’s over 500,000 of such firms.

“In addition, the polymer industries in Nigeria only produce plastics and rubber to the detriment of other speciality polymers. (NAN)
COA/HAS/HA
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NAN-H-109
Violence
By Victor Asije
Lagos, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The U.S. Government has condemned violence following protests in the Central African Republic last Monday, Oct. 24th.
The U.S. Department of State said in the transcript of its Daily Press Briefing that the U.S. government had enjoined all Central Africans to shun all forms of violence.
Mr John Kirby, U.S. Department of State spokesperson also said in the transcript that it was imperative for the Central Africans to refrain from rhetoric that could incite further violence in the country.
“The United States condemns the violence surrounding protests on the 24th of October in the Central African Republic.
“We call on all Central Africans to reject violence and refrain from rhetoric that could incite violence,’’ Kirby said.
He said that the U.S. was strongly in support of the work of the United Nations and its Central African partners in promoting lasting peace and stability in the region.
Kirby said that his government was in support of the Oct. 12th meeting of the Consultative and Oversight Committee of the National Programme of Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration, and Repatriation.
“The UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic is an essential element in the security necessary for the CAR to move beyond crisis.
“The United States strongly supports the work of the UN and our Central African partners to promote peace and long-term stability in the CAR.
“Inclusive dialogue is the key to preventing further unrest and maintaining the progress achieved by President Touadera, the CAR Government, and MINUSCA, to ensure a peaceful future for all Central Africans,’’ he added. (NAN)
AVU/FF/PIO
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Idonije Obakhedo

NAN-H-108
Judges
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abakaliki branch, has said that the trial of judges accused of corruption will reinforce the citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.

The Chairman of the branch, Mr Victor Anyanwu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday that it was in support of the anti-graft war.

He said that such trials would make the public believe that no one is above the law.

“The public would realise that judges who prosecute others can also be prosecuted for violating the law.

“The country’s president, his deputy, governors and their deputies are the only ones covered by immunity when they are in office, but will be tried for any established cases on leaving office.

“Prosecuting the judges will also send a signal to other judges, lawyers and judicial officers to be careful because they are under public scrutiny,” he said.

The NBA chairman also remarked that the branch was against calls for the judges to step aside from performing their official functions, noting that it was unjust.

“Several serving political office holders are currently answering charges of corruption and no one has mandated them to stop performing their duties.

“The call for the judges to step aside suggests favouritism and everyone should be equal before the laws that govern the country,” he said.

Anyanwu remarked that the branch was in support of the fight against corruption but insisted that due process must be followed in prosecuting it.

“There is no possibility that the learned judges would not submit themselves for prosecution when required and this makes it wrong for their houses to be attacked at night in the guise of arrest.

“They should be respected as judges and we are aware that several people have been accused of committing several crimes in the country but still operate freely.

“They have not run from being prosecuted as there are ways in which the corruption fight would be prosecuted and it would amount to violation of rights,” he said.

He remarked that the branch had been exploring avenues to educate its members to shun corrupt practices to avoid bringing disgrace upon themselves.

“Corruption is a malaise that has brought negative consequences upon the country and current events have brought untold embarrassment to the judiciary,” he said. (NAN)
RCO/Ak/MVO
(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Mbadiwe Okwor)

22,500 Nigerians illegally cross Mediterranean Sea in 2016, says EU

NAN-H-106
Migrants
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The European Union (EU) has said over 22,500 illegal migrants from Nigeria crossed Mediterranean Sea to Europe between January and September as against 23,000 in 2015.

The Deputy Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria Mr Richard Young, made this disclosure on Thursday at a media workshop in Abuja.

Young expressed concern that the number of Nigerians taking dangerous adventure through Mediterranean to Europe within nine months in 2016 was higher than those who did same throughout 2015.

According to him, there has been huge increase in migrants crossing border without the right travel document to Europe from all over the world.

“In 2014, the number of people travelling irregularly into Europe clinched 280,000 people; in 2015 it rose to 1.8 million in 2015.

“From January to September 2016, the number is about 420,000; we are expecting that the number will rise to 800,000 before the end of the year.

“Within this number, people coming from Nigeria in 2012 was 800, in 2013 the number was 2,900, in 2014 the number was 8,700 in 2015 the number was 23,000.

“And between January and September 2016 the number is 22, 500,” he said.

While expressing concern that the people crossed Mediterranean on boats, he said, “3,700 drowned in Mediterranean Sea in 2016 alone, which indicated that one in 50 people drowned.”

He, however, said that the EU had put in place measures to address illegal migrants from Nigeria.

Young explained that these measures include the three ‘R’ policy of return, re-admission and reintegration for the illegal migrants.

According to him, there is an agreement that the illegal migrants be sent back home and be empowered with vocational skills that could enhance their living in Nigeria, but the training would be done in Nigeria.

“The second thing we are trying to do is tackling the smuggling routes.

“ We are trying to put in place some level of collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, with NAPTIP to tackle this issue,” he said.

He stressed that if the immigration issue was not properly addressed, it might have longer impact on the EU-Nigerian relationship.

He, therefore, urged Nigeria to grow its economy and address poverty so as to address the root cause of illegal migrants. (NAN)
IAA/JEO/AFA
Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-105
Committee
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct.27, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Nysome  Wike of the Rivers State on Thursday said the State was created to liberate the people from the forces of deprivation, oppression and domination.

Wike said this while inaugurating the Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee at the Government House in Port Harcourt

“Many of us who are now enjoying the fruits of liberty may not truly appreciate what it meant to be dominated, dispossessed, deprived, exploited and oppressed in your own land.

“These were brought on Rivers people by the dominant social and political tendencies of the time.

“Before Rivers State was created, our people could not find schools in their neighbourhood, hospitals to treat the sick, Universities to educate their children, decent jobs to earn income and good roads to their communities,’’ he said.

The governor noted that since the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, the state had attained greater heights and surmounted development challenges.

“For 50 years we have lived and toiled together in pursuit of the vision of our founding fathers who put in and sacrificed everything, including their lives, to ensure the creation of this beautiful State,’’ Wike said.

“Although we are not where we should be within the matrix of where we want to be, we still have a lot to celebrate and thank God for the 50 years of our existence.

“Besides, after 50 unbroken years on a journey, it is proper for us to take a little moment to retrospect on the progress already madem.

“We are to use this period to also examine our prospects and set our eyes on the next era of the march to progress with optimism’’.

He said the committee was expected to organise and galvanise the people to collectively mark the first 50 years of the creation of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee comprises of 151 members with Chief Ferdinand Anabrabra as Chairman, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) as Alternate Chairman  and Dr Jacob Beredugo  as Secretary .

They were, among other functions, mandated to prepare the budget and logistics required and to raise funds for the celebrations. (NAN)

OMO/YAZ

Professional groups vow to eliminate cancer in Bauchi

NAN-HG-6

Cancer

Bauchi, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Two professional groups have pledged to fight cancer in Bauchi State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The bodies are the Bauchi state chapters of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS) and the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

The groups stated their various missions on Thursday in Bauchi during a public awareness lecture for women.

They said that they took the measure as a deliberate effort to eliminate the disease and spread knowledge on various cancer diseases in the state through mass education.

The NCS Chairperson, Dr Habiba Ismail, said that the disease could be eliminated if the public were much educated on the symptoms, treatment and prevention of the diseases.

“Cancer is as deadly as HIV/AIDS, as such in as much as HIV is preventable; cancer is even curable if detected at early,’’ Ismail said.

She lamented that most cases in the state turned out to be last presented to the health facility.

The chairperson called on policy makers to include the treatment of cancer in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Ismail said that plans were on the way to increases diagnostic centres for cervical across the federation and advised the State Government to take the advantage and ensure that one centre be located in Bauchi.

On her part, the state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Bulak Afsa, said that educating women on the disease was an initiative that would reach women across the state.

She said the association took the campaign against the disease as a result of two out of the three leading cancer in the state affects women directly.

Similarly, the National President NCS, Dr Sani Malami, said that the disease has become a public health concern as such public education was the weapon of preventing the disease.

The wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs Gimbiya Dogara, charged members of the two professional bodies to raise public awareness on the deadly disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that women from across the state enjoyed free screening for breast and cervical cancers. (NAN)

AE/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-ELS-4
Festival
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), says “New Yam” festival celebration in the South East can be a money spinner for the country.

He made the remark on Thursday at the maiden New Yam festival of the Enugu office of the Institute.

Ayakoroma said government could tap into the event to earn foreign exchange.

He added that the passion with which people of the area attached to the festival made it
eye-catching and an event which ought to be exported to the rest of the world.

He said “government needs to support this huge festival.

“If a country like Haiti can pay off part of her national debt with earnings from
`Carnival of Flowers’, the New Yam festival by Igbo communities can be harnessed to create
a festival bigger than can be imagined.

“The Carnival of Flowers was conceptualised from the wild flowers that grow in Haiti and the all popular Edinburgh festival, a collection of 97 different festivals properly harnessed.’’

The NICO boss said that the New Yam festival attempted to take preeminence over many other festivals, stressing that “this can only mean the resurgence, promotion and preservation of our culture.

“The truth is that we are working hard to get it right and this annual festival has continually brought about several benefits which include boosting the local economy.’’

He pointed out that the festival had been a rallying force and had succeeded in bringing the people of the area together for one purpose.

“The New Yam festival has also gone viral, a situation where it is even celebrated even in universities and individual homes and by the Igbo in the Diaspora,” he said.

In a goodwill message, a veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Pete Edochie, urged people of the area to dedicate a unified and special day for the festival.

He said “this will unify us more as a people and we will then begin to think as one. On such days, all markets operated by our people the world over should be closed.

“It will be good if our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora will do same. Lets wear our native cloths and caps on such occasions.’’

Edochie said that a big carnival which would boost the nation’s economy could be made out of the festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted scores of traditional rulers from the South East.

The occasion was also used to honour prominent Igbo sons who excelled in their chosen carriers. (NAN)
EOA/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

100 migrants missing after boat sinks off Libya

NAN-F-28
Boat
Tripoli, Oct. 27, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Over 100 people are missing a day after a boat carrying illegal migrants sank off the Libyan coast, a Libyan coastguard official said on Thursday.

“The rubber boat tore apart and sank on Wednesday shortly after it left Libya across the Mediterranean Sea en route to Italy,’’ the official added on condition of anonymity.

He said that 29 people were rescued by the Libyan coastguard, in what is the latest in a series of shipwreck tragedies on the Mediterranean.

The UN refugee agency said that this year has been the deadliest ever for migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, with over 3,800 people having drowned.

Libya has descended into chaos since a 2011 uprising that deposed long time autocrat Moamer Gaddafi.

The North African country has since become a major hub for migrants seeking to reach Europe via illegal sea migration routes operated by people-smugglers. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AFA
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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South Africa’s finance minister declines to comment on ANC backing

NAN-F-27
Comment
Cape Town, Oct. 27, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, on Thursday, declined to say whether he was confident of the ruling party’s support.

Speaking a day after presenting his mid-term budget to parliament, he declined less than a week before he appears in court to answer fraud charges in a saga that has rocked the government.

Gordhan said he had tried not to let his Nov. 2 court case distract him while outlining measures to help kick-start an economy that he predicted would barely grow this year.

The minister was accused of fraudulently approving; in a previous post as head of the revenue service, early retirement for a deputy tax commissioner.

He was also charged for re-hiring him as a consultant, costing the tax agency 79,000 dollars.

Gordhan denied any wrongdoing, saying the case is politically motivated, a sentiment echoed by opposition parties, business leaders and some senior African National Congress (ANC) party figures.

The state prosecutor has rejected allegations of political interference.

Asked during a post-budget breakfast meeting whether he was still confident he had political backing, Gordhan said: “I’m not trying to duck, but I’m not going to answer it.”

The ructions in government have weakened the rand and bonds in an economy struggling to create jobs.

Some analysts said that President Jacob Zuma’s allies are driving the investigation in a bid to oust Gordhan, something the president denied.

“He (Gordhan) is well aware that while he does have some support inside the ANC, the faction that’s supporting him is not winning.

“If you’re asked if you have support and you say I’m not answering that question, obviously he thinks he doesn’t,” NKC Africa Economics analyst Gary Staden said.

Gordhan, on Wednesday slashed growth forecasts for the next three years and predicted wider budget deficits than previously expected.

He said that he was not preoccupied with whether he had done enough to stave off credit rating downgrades.

“Our preoccupation is not rating agencies. Our preoccupation is putting the country on the right footing.

“If we build confidence to the point where we get investment going everybody including ratings agencies will believe that we as a government are doing the right thing,” Gordhan said. dpa/NAN)
OYE/AFA
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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NAN-HE-18
Income
Kano, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government says it has amended its revenue generation laws to boost internal sources.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Alhaji Balarabe Abdullahi, onThursday in Kano, stated that government had already made some amendments in policies on revenue generation.

It added that government incorporated the use of other non governmental organisations like GEMS3 to ensure success of the exercise.

According to the statement, this has helped the state to increase its internally generated revenue compared to the previous income generation.

The statement added that Kano State, in spite of its status as one of the most populated in Nigeria, remained second among high revenue-generation states after Lagos.

It  stated thatgovernment would start dedicating projects developed through IGR by indicating those built from the revenues for people to understand the impacts.(NAN)

BO/GOM/IA

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Idris Abdulrahman