Blog

NAN-H-39

Loot

Calabar, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Mr Onofiok Luke, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly,  has advocated public declaration of funds recovered from looters of the treasury in the ongoing anti-corruption war.

Luke made the call in a speech he delivered at the 3rd Annual Public Lecture in commemoration of the birthday of Bishop Emmah Isong, the General Overseer of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar.

Speaking on the topic:“Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption War and Economic Recovery: The Connect”,  he said the war was now the responsibility of all Nigerians irrespective of political, tribal or religious affiliations.

He further stressed the need for the relevant anti-corruption agencies to do due diligence in the campaign.

“The anti-corruption war has gone beyond the government. It is now a collective battle that involves all of us in words, attitude and deeds.

“And because it is a battle which involves all of us, it must not be fought with barrels of the gun. It must not be fought with incarceration of political opponents and flagrant disregard and disrespect to the rule of law.

“Rather, it must be fought with laid down intellectual strategies that aid economic recovery. Again, it must be fought in an inclusive manner with citizens as actors and not onlookers.

“Proceeds from the war must be disclosed and made public as well as returned to the national purse.’’

He urged the Federal Government to create the enabling environment for international organisations including the World Bank, African Development Bank and Transparency International to take active part in the fight.

He condemned the current media trial of alleged corrupt people, saying that it scares foreign investors from the country and impacts negatively on the foreign investment inflow into the country.

“There should be less of media trial of alleged corrupt individuals in the country. It scares away investors.

“Anybody found guilty of corruption should be made to face the law court.”

The speaker also spoke on the recent arrest of some high profile judges by the Department of State Security (DSS), describing the action as inimical to the rule of law.

“I am against corruption in all ramifications but I disagree with the mode of the arrest of the judges, ‘’ he said.

He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of integrity with the desire to fight corruption, but added that some politicians were hiding under the President’s integrity to evade corruption allegations.

Also speaking, Mr John Lebo, the Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, described corruption as a monster that should be fought at all cost.

Isong, the celebrator, said that he carefully selected the topic as part of his contribution to the ongoing anti-corruption war.

“It is my own way of giving back to the society. I think that the church should also be involved in the fight against corruption,” Isong said. (NAN)
BEN/AK/NKO
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-F-17
Application
By Mike Mbonye
Johannesburg, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Mr Fidelis Igbokwe, a South Africa-based Nigerian ICT expert, said on Wednesday that a travel and  tourism application he developed had been successfully tested and now ready to be launched.

Igbokwe, the Chief Executive Officer  and founder of Trippins Application, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the new product has safety and security features.

“ The product is called Trippin, a travel and tourism application with safety and security features.

“ It is meant to enhance travel and tourism in any city in the world and help to create awareness.

“ It would enhance security and safety for all categories of travellers.

“ With the Trippin application, one can be sure that with the press of a button, safety is assured,” he said.

Igbokwe said that two investors had acquired five per cent equity shares each from the project for a substantial amount while other investors have also shown interest.
“ We also have buy-in from an Atlanta-based group, New Africa Project, which wants to allocate funds for the services the application will provide to them annually,” he said.

Igbokwe said the application could be beneficial to Nigerians to enhance their security by checking crime.

“ The application can be used as a panic button when one is in danger to make an emergency contact.

“Government can also benefit from the application through the promotion of travel and tourism in the country.

“ The application can create exposure to places of interest and tourism sites,” he said.

Igbokwe stated that such information would increase investors’ confidence since they already have an idea of what they need in Nigeria. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-8
Housewife
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) “My husband is irresponsible; he has turned me into a punching bag, I am no longer interested in the union,’’ a 30-year-old housewife, Mariam Akeem, told a Lagos court on Thursday.

“I want the loveless marriage dissolved,’’ she pleaded with an Agege Customary Court.

Mariam, a mother of one, who resides at Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, said she regretted marrying Iyanu Moses, a 36-year-old businessman, for seven years.

She said she had not studied her husband well before she discovered that she was pregnant.

“I want us to go our separate ways and l want him to take full responsibility for our child’s education.

“My husband is troublesome and he constantly beats me over minor issues.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioner’s mother, Mrs Doris Akeem, who was present in the court, said the respondent had been very troublesome.

“l tried to stop the relationship until my daughter became pregnant for him.’’

Iyanu, however, denied the allegations, accusing the wife of infidelity.

He pleaded with the court not to dissolve the marriage, saying “I am still in love with my wife.’’

Mr Philip Williams, the court’s President, advised the estranged couple especially the petitioner to be submissive and warned the husband not to lift his hand against his wife again.

He adjourned the case to Nov. 24 for a possible mediation and reconciliation. (NAN)
LAW/DA
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Edited by Dele Akinsola

NAN-F-16
Export
By Mike Mbonye
Johannesburg, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria`s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, has urged  Nigerian investors to explore business opportunities in South Africa.

Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa, that Nigerian food, apparels, agricultural produce and some solid minerals were in high demand in that country.

She said that state governments and investors could tap into such opportunities for export in order to earn foreign exchange.

“ I can confirm to you that Nigerian beer, malt, yam, plantain, garri and vegetables are doing well in South African markets.
“ Rubber and Nigerian solid minerals are needed here. Our solid minerals sector is begging for export and it is important to explore it,” she said.
Ajulu-Okeke stated that the Nigerian business community could achieve much in this regard   through value addition such as canning of local delicacies for export to South Africa.

“ Nigerians travel and have exported their cuisine. We can emulate the Chinese who popularised Chinese restaurant in different parts of the world.
“ We can internationalise our cuisine. What our nutritionists can do is to advertise and research on ways of canning  and preparing our food for export.
“ I can also inform you that South Africans eat our local amala, plantain and jollof rice. The opportunities are there waiting to be tapped,” she said.
Ajulu-Okeke said that some South African firms have already visited Nigeria to import rubber for production.
“ Again, this is another area states with abundant rubber can key-in and earn foreign exchange,’’ the envoy said. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Doctor warns against female genital mutilation
NAN-HG-1
Mutilation
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Dr  Uche Ene, a former Director of Public Health, Enugu Ministry of Health, has urged parents to desist from female genital mutilation as it could lead to infertility.

Ene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday that “female genital mutilation is the removal of genital tissue which involves removing necessary glands leading the vaginal environment to become unfavorable to sperm”.

He said that female children who undergo such practice were at risk of infertility.

According to him, genital mutilation often results to painful intercourse, inability to have intercourse, infections and frigidity.

The doctor who said that the lips that surround the vagina could be narrowed, added that the narrowing of the vagina often makes it difficult for the penis to penetrate into it for the release of sperm for conception.

He further explained that female genital mutilation also included the partial or total removal of the clitoris and possibly the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris, removal of the labia minor and the labia major, among others.

Ene said that appropriate institutional frameworks for advocacy and plans against the practice should be established in rural areas where this practice was most prevalent.

The World Health Organisation has recognised female genital mutilation as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. (NAN)
OJI/HS/OFN
Edited by Halima Sheji//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-38

Project

By Monday Ijeh

Kuje (FCT), Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Kuje Area Council have urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to expedite action  on the rehabilitation work on the Prisons road.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kuje on Thursday, the respondents expressed dismay over the abandonment of the project by the contractor.

Mr Gazama Ibrahim, a resident, observed that rehabilitation work on the less than two-kilometre road was commenced shortly after Kuje Prisons jailbreak in June.

“I have been here for over four years and we have been having problem with the road.

“It was only a few months ago that we saw that they started the project and it was only for two days and that was the end.

“The equipment had been moved away and no information was given as to why the contractor abandoned the site.

“Since this is the only road linking the Federal Prisons in Abuja, our appeal is that the government should provide funding for the completion of the project.”

Mrs Ndidi Osai, another resident, told NAN that the road was already in a deplorable state before the jailbreak that resulted in the award of the contract.

According to Osai, the contractor has worsened the situation by excavating the surface and blocking water ways.

Osai expressed dismay over the delay in the completion of the project and urged the relevant authorities to expedite action on the project.

“We thought that since this road leads to the main prison in Kuje, government will be serious with it considering the need for security at the prison.

“The contractor cannot do the road with his money; so government should do something about that in the interest of residents and officials of the Prison Service,” she said. (NAN)

IMC/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-30

Agencies

By Cecilia Odey

Abuja, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) A civil rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Thursday urged the Federal Government to monitor activities of anti-graft agencies to avoid being used to witch-hunt perceived dissenting voices.

Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, gave the advice in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“We call on the Federal Government to monitor activities of anti-graft agencies to avoid being used to witch-hunt perceived dissenting voices,’’ he said.

Onwubiko, who was reacting to the re-arrest of Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, described the re-arrest as unfortunate.

He said that in as much as Nigerians supported the fight against corruption in the country, government has a duty to deal with all concerned.

“We however express our support to the present administration’s fight against corruption but urge the government to allow the fundamental rights of citizens to freely canvass their opinions without fear or favour, within the bounds of law.”(NAN)

COO/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Maharazu Ahmed
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NAN-H-35
ASUP
by Mercy Osajiugo
Bida, (Niger)‎, Oct. 27, 2016  (NAN)  Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP),  Bida chapter, has expressed delight with the Federal Ministry of Education for the released of N48 million for the  payment of allowances for its members.

The ASUP Chairman, Dr‎ Umar Saganuwan, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bida on Thursday.

He ‎said the allowances paid was from January to May and that they were still awaiting allowances of June , July, August and September.

He commended the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, for the gesture.

“This debt they are owing us is the only internal problem we have with the management and he has promise to pay between November and January,” he said.

Saganuwan‎ expressed  displeasure with the management for reducing the allowances .

He said that “this is not the right time to tamper with allowances as it will effect productivity among the staff.

He, however, stated that the Rector, Dr Abubakar Dzukogi, had promised that October allowance would not be owed but paid as at when due.(NAN)
MNO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Cattle dealers threaten nationwide strike over alleged extortion by security agents

NAN-H-28

Cattle

Mubi (Adamawa), Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Amalgamated Union of National Cattle and Foodstuff Dealers Association of Nigeria has threatened to embark on indefinite strike over alleged extortion by security agents across the country.

The Acting National Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Hamman-Jalo Hamman-Jam, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mubi, Adamawa, on Thursday, that the union was tired of the situation.

According to him, members of the union were made to part with money at various security check points on major federal highways especially from the northern to eastern part of the country.

He claimed that security agents forcefully stop any truck conveying cattle from the North to the East and demand huge amount of money for unknown purposes.

“We have complained to appropriate authorities concerned over the high level of extortion of money from our members by security agents.

“Again, we, the Amalgamated Union of National Cattle and Foodstuff Dealers Association of Nigeria, hereby, call on the Federal, state governments, and other authorities concerned to urgently look into the matter and address it.

“And if the situation continues without any action from government, the union have no other choice rather to embark on indefinite strike,” Hamman-Jam said.

The chairman claimed that the dealers were made to part with between N250, 000 to N300, 000 per truck on every trip.

Hamman-Jam, who is also the North East Zonal Coordinator of the union, asserted that those who tried to resist payment of the illegal charges were often maltreated by the security agents.

The chairman stressed that the union would continue to support security operatives in maintaining peace and protecting lives and property in the country, but would not allow the extortion of its members to continue.(NAN)
AMA/ORO/MZA

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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-HE-3
Refund
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Mr Richard Esin, the Acting Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), says no fewer than 120,000 National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors have got their refunds in 2016.

Esin made the disclosure on Thursday in Enugu during the 1st Enugu Housing Development Forum, adding that the recipients were retirees that met the conditions for refund.

He said that about N6 billion was expended in the refunds and that FMBN was committed to meeting its mandates of providing affordable accommodation for Nigerians.

The acting managing director said that the bank was currently reforming its payroll system to make its services more responsive to the yearnings of contributors.

He said that as part of the moves to instill confidence in contributors, the FMBN would soon commence the disbursement of quarterly e-statement of account through contributors’ emails.

Esin said that the bank was committed to seamless processing of refunds.

“We are partnering with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems to harmonise the NHF contributors’ database with their BVN.

“This will help us to ensure that when it comes to refunds we should not take more than 30 days,’’ he said.

Esin said that the bank had registered 4.2 million contributors through 22,000 employers under the NHF between January and August 2016 and had disbursed N140 million as loans within the same period.

“We also expended N63 million to fund NHF mortgages. Under the estate development window, we have also funded different construction programmes totalling about N63 billion,’’ he said.

He noted that FMBN had made some recommendations to the appropriate quarters in a move that would improve the effectiveness of the bank in achieving its mandate.

Esin said there was the need to enforce compliance to the provisions of the NHF Act by all tiers of government, including the private sector.

The acting managing director restated the earlier call for the recapitalisation of the bank to the tune of 500 billion naira to make it more responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

“We are discussing with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the provision of an intervention fund to be administered through FMBN for the provision of mortgage financing.

“This is for housing units not to cost more than N5 million per unit,’’ Esin said. (NAN)
EOA/PDE
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(Edited by Ismail Abdulazi/Peter Ejiofor)