Blog

Young inventors urge youths to embrace agriculture

NAN-AE-7
Inventors
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, October 25, 2016(NAN) Young inventors in the ongoing Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Children’s Expo have called on youths to embrace agriculture to boost food sufficiency.

Most of them, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, about their invention in agriculture, said if youths embrace agriculture it will increase farm product and create jobs.

The expo has the theme: “Improved Technology as Impetus for Mechanised Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Power and the General Development of the Country.”

The two participants from Teto Model College, Yenogoa, Bayelsa, Pere Ereolomu and Agbafor Buloembile, who invented Solar Powered Agricultural Driverless Farm Produce Conveyer System, said that agriculture was a viable sector that will create jobs for youths.

Ereolomu said that she was happy with the theme as it emphasises on agriculture which is very important in nation’s building and development.

“I am happy that I am working on a project in agriculture and I hope if this project is looked at it will assist farmers.

Ereolomu said that the machine invented will make transportation easier for farmers and it will reduce cost of conveying farm produce.

She also added that the reason for the invention is to arouse the interest of youths in agriculture and create job opportunities.

‘’The conveyer is solar powered and it has two sensor with ultra some obstacle detector and a line sensor which helps you to trace the black line”

Ereolomu said that there is room for enhancement, adding that the road that leads to the market needs to be constructed within the farm settlement.

This solar powered Agricultural Driverless Farm produce conveyer system has the ability to communicate with farmers through text message.

“You can send a text message to the machine telling it your location with an indication of a code that is already programmed into the machine.”

Other inventors Fasasi Folashada Aderemi and Muhammad Najeb from Gods Reigns Nursery and Primary School, Osun State invented Power Boat said the power boat can flow on water easily.

Najeb said that the power boat is made up of Aluminium flat sheet, a motor, a switch of about 250voltage,5 batteries (4 out of the 5 has 9 voltage while 1 has 1.5 voltage).

On her part, Fasasi said that the power boat also has a propeller and a bar which is the front view.

Fasasi explained that it is used for fishing and transportation of agricultural products to people in the rural areas.

The inventors advised young ones like them to focus on their education and be creative.

They also pleaded with the government to care for young ones.

An inventor Abbas Mohammed, a 12-year-old boy from Central Academy Kaduna, who invented a machine called chaff removal machine, said that the machine is meant to remove chaff from groundnut and beans.

He said that the chaff removal machine has a switch, which converts positive and negative wire.

He said that the chaff removed from the produce can be used to feed animals.

“So if there is a machine it will be very easy for them to remove the chaff.

Shehubi Lawal, a 12-years student of Capital School, Kaduna, who invented a small modern tractor, said that the tractor has an arrow and it is used for ground breaking.
JF/FJO/COA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-HE-16
Bank
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc on Wednesday announced gross earnings of N93.44 billion for nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016.

This is contained in a statement issued by the bank and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The bank said that this was against N83.72 billion declared in the preceding period of 2015, indicating an increase 11.6 per cent.

The bank’s profit before tax stood at N13.28 billion compared with ₦9.56 billion posted in the preceding period of 2015.

Profit after tax stood at N13.01 billion in contrast with N9.34 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2015.

Similarly, its interest income increased to N70.96 billion from N66.907 billion in the preceding year, while total assets grew to N2.22 trillion from N1.05 trillion.

The bank’s total liabilities surged from N802.97 billion to N961.12 billion during the period under review.

However, its interest expense was down by 14 per cent to ₦22.8 billion compared with₦26.5billion in the comparative period of 2015.

Commenting on the result, Mr Emeka Emuwa, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, attributed to growth to cost effective strategies introduced by the company.

“Our core pre-tax profits are up 27 per cent to ₦12.4bn from N9.8bn during the same period in 2015, fuelled largely by interest income and our thriving retail business.

“We are encouraged by this performance which comes in the face of a recessionary environment, increased impairments and headwinds in our trade business due to scarcity of foreign exchange.

“Our steady effort to build a low cost, customer centric retail business over the past 18 months is demonstrating results and continues to win us a new, growing retail customer base,” Emuwa said.

He said that the bank would continue to focus on executing its strategy, defend loan book and adhere to prudent risk management principles to achieve desired growth. (NAN)
JNC/YAZ

NAN-H-89
LASUCOM
Kazeem Akande

Lagos, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) Mr Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, member, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), says the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) has the potential of ranking among the best in Africa.

Ogunyemi the Chairman, House Committee on Education, spoke on Wednesday after the committee’s visit of facilities in the college.

“We are pleased with what we have seen at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and we are happy that it is the 5th best in Nigeria, and we believe it can still be better.

“We went round the facilities, and with what we saw, we know they can fulfil their mandate.
“It is a school to train doctors, who will further go into the system to provide healthcare for our teeming population in Lagos State.
“We must get it right; it must not only turn out doctors, it must be research-based and take its pride of place.
“As a committee, we look forward to its being the best in West Africa and ranking as one of the topmost in Africa and in the world.
“We have seen the challenges that they have and as a House, we will support every effort of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to make it a world class college of medicine,’’ he said.

The lawmaker said the government would continue to support the school.
Prof. Babatunde Sholagberu, Provost of the College, had earlier told the lawmakers that the college was one of the top five medical schools in Nigeria.
Sholagberu said that it was the only state-funded medical college in Nigeria.

He said that the college was established in 1999 by the military government of Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), and had produced about 598 medical doctors.
The provost said that the college would soon start training people in dentistry and pharmacy. (NAN)
AKA/FF/SOA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Oluwole Sogunle

Audio Attached

NAN-H-96

Ultimatum

Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria (FONGON) has threatened to occupy courts presided over by the seven federal judges accused of judicial corruption, if they failed to step down within seven days.

The Chairman of the forum, Mr Wole Badmus, issued the threat at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday after the group’s match to the Supreme Court was truncated by security forces.

Badmus said the group, consisting of 50 non-state actors, had mobilised to express its displeasure at the manner in which the National Judicial Council (NJC) handled the allegations against the accused judges.

Cue in audio 1 (Badmus)

“We have a protest letter which we want to submit to the CJ, unfortunately the security arm

of the government prevented us from matching down to the Supreme Court.

“Failure of the NJC to stop all the judges under investigation from sitting, we would have no choice than to occupy the courts – the courts that these judges are sitting because, when we are talking of rule of law, you have to obey the rule of law first before we can obey your rule of law.’’

Cue out audio 1

Badmus said the consequences of the continued adjudication of cases by the accused judges could be dire.

He said it was time for them to step aside.

Cue in audio 2 (Badmus)

“You cannot be presiding over cases.

“You have been accused of doing certain things; the first thing for you to do is to step aside and let investigation be concluded.

“If you are found clean, you will come back. If you are not found clean, you will be prosecuted.

“So you cannot continue sitting there, perverting the (course  of justice).

“From today, we are giving a one-week ultimatum for the judges and justices, who are under investigation to step aside.’’

Cue out audio 2

He called on the NLC, the TUC and other trade unions to join in the battle, adding that judicial corruption is worse than economic corruption.

“Judicial corruption is worse than terrorism, judicial corruption is worse than armed robbery and kidnapping because, with corrupt judiciary, all categories of alleged offenders cannot be made to face justice.

“We need to ask the question: Why the Special Anti Robbery Squad are killing armed robbery suspects on the spot.

“This is largely because such cases are always frustrated in courts.

“Unreasonable bails are granted these armed robbery suspects and they have to go back to kill, loot and use the proceeds to pay lawyers and judges.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Department of State Security in what it termed “sting operation” raided the houses of five Federal High Court judges and two justices of the Supreme Court, following allegations of corruption.

In his reaction, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, expressed displeasure at the manner in which the operation was carried out.

The CJN and the Chairman of NJC insisted that the council has its internal mechanism to deal with erring judicial officers, saying that the council would resist attempts by external forces to dictate to it.

NAN recalls that NJC on Tuesday unveiled a National Judicial Policy that will regulate the conduct of judicial officers. (NAN)

OMO/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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badmus-audio-on-protest-march-1

badmus-audio-on-ultimatum-2

27-yr-old get 7 strokes of cane for stealing alcoholic drinks

NAN-H-28

Sentence

By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) A Gudu Upper Area Court on Wednesday sentenced one Frank Ugochukwu to seven strokes of cane for stealing alcoholic drinks from a wine shop.

27-year-old Ugochukwu pleaded guilty and was convicted on a two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft.

The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, gave the sentence after the convict begged for leniency, saying he would never repeat the act.

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that one Stanley Emmanuel of Karibu Hotel, at 32 Lodoke Boulevard Way, Garki II, reported the matter at Garki police station on Oct. 21.

He said that the convict was a former staff of the hotel.

“On the same date, Oct.21, he went to the hotel and entered the wine shop and stole two big bottles of McDowell’s gin, one bottle of red label gin and a bottle of Andre wine,’’ he said.

According to him, all the drinks were valued at N9,500.

He said that during police investigations, the stolen items were recovered from his possession and he admitted to committing the offence.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

SET/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Experts call for proper funding of ICT sector

NAN-H-97
Funding
Created by Constance Athekame
Abuja, Oct 26, 2016 (NAN) Computers Registration Professionals Council of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to properly fund the Information Communication Technology (ICT)  sector to enhance job creation.

Mr Tunde Ezichi, President and Chairman of the Council, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said ICT could greatly facilitate the production of jobs and urged government to finance it properly to harness its full potential.

”There is no aspect of human endeavour which would not require information technology and applying it correctly is remain the key.

”So, government must actually help to facilitate the introduction and utilisation of information technology in virtually every aspect of its operations.

”That means having access to information technology right from the primary school level through all the different tiers of education; that, in its self, will create entrepreneurs.

”This will enable people to learn and employ different ways of working,” he said.

He noted that the fewer the number of human interference in the operation of things, the more automated they get and the easier it would be to fight corruption.

”When you have human intervention, most times, a lot of other skill behaviours come into play; so it is imperative that government harnesses technology properly to avoid disaster.”

According to Ezichi, who is also a past President of the Computer Society of Nigeria, the ICT sector is very dynamic, thus the need for the younger ones to be trained to do things differently and faster which is good for development.

”Government and all stakeholders must harness the enormous potential of the ICT to fast-track national development.” (NAN)
Edited By Hajia Sani/ Julius Enehikhuere

NAN-HE-8
Bank
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) Shareholders of Jaiz Bank Plc on Wednesday approved the sub-division of the bank’s authorised share capital from 15 billion ordinary shares of N1 each to 30 billion at 50 kobo per share.

This formed part of the decision at the bank’s Extra-Ordinary Meeting in Abuja, which also ratified approval of the banks’ shares in the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

The Chairman of the bank, Alhaji Umaru Abdul-Mutalab, said with the shareholders’ approval, the Memorandum of Association of the Bank would need to be altered to reflect the sub-division of the shares.

Abdul-Mutalab said the approval would attract more investors to buy shares, thereby widening the scope of share ownership in the bank.

“We feel that there are a lot of people who have shown interest in the bank and we want to give opportunity to all prospective shareholders to come in and out as they want.

“That is why we feel that there is need to widen the scope of share ownership so that there is liquidity.

“Most investors do not want to just get on without coming out; we want them to feel that anytime they can come in, buy the shares and also go out.

He said that listing in the stock exchange would attract not only national but also international investors.

“Once you are listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange, you are also in the various sites of a number of international organisations.

“They can at anytime demand your share and buy it either within the country or outside the country.”

The chairman said that the bank was a non-interest institution that did not prioritise making profit as part of its mandate.

“ Non -interest does not mean that we are not making profit; we are there to make profit but we do that in such a way that it is not interest based.

“We do not charge interest but we recognise certain income which is legitimate because all our transaction has to be `Shari’a compliant’.

“There are many non-Muslims who are shareholders with us; all they need to do is to agree to the fact that we do not deal in non-Shari’a products.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr Hassan Usman, said, “ once listed, existing shareholders could trade their shares while those new investors could also invest by buying the shares.

“We want the general public to benefit from the bounties of profit opportunities available so that we can all grow together as one big Jaiz family.

“As you may be aware, few months ago the bank’s Rights Issue of 2.9 billion ordinary shares was successfully subscribed.

“We want to call on everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to own shares in the bank.

“We have over 30,000 share holders today both locally and internationally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jaiz Bank is a non-interest organisation set up in 2003/2004 as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to establish Nigeria’s first full-fledged non-interest bank.

It recently obtained an approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a National Operating Licence which would enable it to operate in the various states of the federation. (NAN)
LCN/AOM/IA
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(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Idris Abdulrahman)

Organisation audits Bauchi PHC agency

NAN-HG-3

Audit

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Neo Natal and Child Heath (BaSAM-MNCH) has received the audit report of the Primary HealthCare Development Agency from  July 2014 to December 2015.

Receiving the document on Wednesday in Bauchi, the Co-Chair of BaSAM, Dr Dayyabu Mohammed, said the document showed the availability of N1,033,434,279 cash.

He said the money was received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Dangote Foundation and the Bauchi State Government.

Mohammed said the presentation of the document had demonstrated that the present administration was willing to account for its financial activities with regards to routine immunisation.

“The presentation has clearly shown that the present administration is willing to publicly account for what was contributed and spent in routine immunisation.

“Through this action, cordial working relationship will be maintained with BaSAM,’’ he said.

He commended the agency for a job well done and encouraged him to do more for public health.

Earlier, the Chairman of the agency, Mr Adamu Gamawa, said that the amount was a proportional contribution into the basket fund with 30 per cent from the Bauchi State Government, 35 per cent from Gates Foundation and 35 per cent from Dangote Foundation as well.

He said the agency’s account was audited by PKF chartered accountants.

Gamawa, while breaking down the expenditure, disclosed that Gates foundation contributed N361,492,334, while the Dangote foundation contributed N361,492,334.

He said that the Bauchi State Government, which was to contribute 30 per cent, funded the basket with N310,449,611 for the period under review.

“The cumulative actual figures was: Governance and accountability N12,001,963; Improving assessment N93,710,000; Vaccines Securities N338,657,703; Monitoring and Evaluation N151,9992,130; Social Mobilisation N13,225,500; Training N49,707,655, and others N577,826,’’ he said.

On vaccines, Gamawa said that all health facilities had been provided with a solar direct refrigerator for storing vaccines under suitable temperature.

He said vaccines were promptly distributed across the state without difficulties.

NAN recalls that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the state government and donor partners into the Basket funds on improving immunisation in the state. (NAN)

AE/MOL/MST

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Audio Attached

NAN-H-91

Entrepreneurship

By Okeoghene Oghenekaro

Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) ‎says it has developed 34 subjects on compulsory trade/entrepreneurship for inclusion in the senior secondary school curriculum.

The Executive Secretary of the council, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that the subjects would be compulsory for the students in that category.

According to Junaidu, the subjects are meant to empower the youth upon completing their education.

Cue in audio 1 (Junaidu)

“The whole structure of the senior secondary school was changed – English, Mathematics, Civic Education and one trade subject, that is, either hair plaiting, or GSM repairs or fishing are compulsory.

“This was all done so as to make Nigerians to be job creators rather than job seekers.

“We developed 34 of such kind of subjects.

“In the area of research ‎we said okay the first graduates finished last year, let us see what the impact is.

“What have you achieved? Are people being dependent based on what they have studied in the senior secondary school?

“We have started the research; once we get funding we would continue. Curriculum by its nature is very dynamic.

“When we do this research we will now come to know what the lapses are that need to be corrected.’’

Cue out audio 1

On the council’s achievements, Junaidu said NERDC had produced electronic curriculum (e-curriculum) for both basic and secondary education.

The executive secretary further said that the council had successfully developed a book policy to control the administration of books in schools.

Cue in audio 2 (Junaidu)

“We have now completed the book policy document, tabled it before the National Council on Education.

“The next step is to now take it to the Federal Executive Council from where it would be sent for legislation.

“So NERDC would be like NAFDAC on drugs; NERDC on books.

“We do not like any kind of junk knowledge being passed to our educational institutions.

“Before a book is actually recommended to be used in secondary school, it is supposed to pass through the NERDC for quality assurance.”

Cue out audio 2

Junaidu said the council had begun to develop curriculum on financial literacy and human trafficking in partnership with relevant agencies.

“We did what we call ‘stand alone’ curriculum, which we are infusing into‎ relevant subjects about the evils of human trafficking.’’ ‎(NAN)

OKE/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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Junaidu’s audio 1

NAN-HE-21

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The market indicators of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday recorded a marginal growth of 0.08 per cent, halting a two-day negative trend.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index appreciated by 21.87 points or 0.08 per cent to close at 27,120.39 compared with 27,098.52 recorded on Tuesday.

Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N9.307 trillion inched N8 billion or 0.08 per cent to close at N9.315 trillion.

An analysis of the price movement showed that Unilever led the gainers’ table, gaining N2.11 to close at N48.01 per share.

Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of 50k to close at N146 and Beta Glass also rose by 50k to close at N31.50 per share.

E-tranzacts advanced by 47k to close at N5.12, while Dangote Sugar appreciated by 28k to close at N6.50 per share.

Conversely, Forte Oil recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ chart, shedding N3.80 to close at N423.50 per share.

Nestle trailed with a loss of N2.05 to close at N797.95, while Julius Berger declined by N2 to close at N38 per share.

UACN lost 97k to close at N18.43 and CAP shed 18k to close at N3.50 per share.

Also, the volume of shares transacted closed higher with an exchange of 159.99 million valued at N1.74 billion achieved in 2,396 deals.

NAN reports that this was against the turnover of 113.49 million shares worth N1.23 billion traded in 2,435 deals on Tuesday.

FBN Holdings drove the volume, having accounted for 53.81 million shares worth N161.45 million.

It was followed by Unilever with 14.29 million shares valued at N685.72 million, while Transcorp sold 11.55 million shares worth N11.58 million.

United Bank for Africa traded 11.29 million shares valued at N47.43 million and investors staked N63.22 million on 11.19 million shares of Access Bank. (NAN)

JNC/DOE/SOA

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Oluwole Sogunle