Blog

NAN-H-44
Corruption
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Oct 25, 2016(NAN) The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday described  corruption as a crime against humanity.

Magu made the remark during a courtesy visit to the National Union of Textile and Garment Workers of Nigeria Head office in Kaduna.

He said that before now there was no hope for Nigeria but that President Muhammadu Buhari had shown “demonstrable political” will to deal with corruption.

“Corruption affects everybody that is why everyone is a major stakeholder in the fight.

“That is why I have the passion, zeal and the courage to lead the fight against corruption.“ Magu said.

He said Buhari and Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had shown commitment in the fight against corruption and called on the union to support the campaign.

In his remark, Mr Issa Aremu, the General Secretary of the union, said EFCC should be empowered to invite anyone living above their means to explain their source of wealth.
Aremu said if investigating agencies were not satisfied with explanations by suspects about their sources of  wealth,  such persons should be prosecuted.

“If found guilty the person should be made to forfeit  entire proceeds from corruption,” Aremu said.

He suggested that a special account be designated as Infrastructure Development Fund from recoveries from corruption proceeds.

Aremu commend the Buhari administration for its campaign against corruption.

He said there was an urgent need for a national strategy against graft which was killing the culture of industry, enterprise and productivity in Nigeria.

“We call on  Buhari to revisit the 2014 National Conference Report and implement some measures that would deepen the government’s war against corruption. `Aremu said. (NAN)
TJ/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

US Under-Secretary visits Nigeria, others

NAN-H-13

Visits

By Victor Asije

Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Ms Sarah Sewall, the United States Under-Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights would be visiting Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3.

The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that her visit to the three countries would focus on civilian security, fight against Boko Haram and violent extremism in the region.

The statement said that the visit would also afford the U.S. official the opportunity to discuss the dire humanitarian and stabilisation needs in the Lake Chad Basin region.

“The U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall will travel to Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon October 25 – November 3, 2016.

“The trip will focus on civilian security, with an emphasis on the fight against Boko Haram, violent extremism and the dire humanitarian and stabilisation needs in the Lake Chad Basin region,’’ it said.

The statement said that she would also be meeting with Nigerian government representatives, civil society and the international community on the need for political resolution of the crisis in the Niger-Delta.

According to it, Sewall will also be meeting with women and girls recently released by Boko Haram on their challenges and reintegration into society.

The statement also announced her plans to meet with inter-faith and civil society leaders on their roles in fighting corruption, management of violent ideologies and religious sentiments in Nigeria.

“She will also travel to Chad to meet representatives from government, civil society and the United Nations to discuss Boko Haram associated humanitarian challenges and countering violent extremism.

“In Yaoundé, Cameroon, she will meet with government officials, UN agencies and civil society groups to discuss challenges posed by Boko Haram and strategies for addressing drivers of violent extremism,’’ it said. (NAN)

AVU/FF/MZA

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Maharazu Ahmed

Jo’burg prevails in Kenya varsities Sevens rugby event

NAN-S-7
Rugby
Nairobi, Oct. 25, 2016 (PANA/NAN) Visiting University of Johannesburg won the thrilling Kenya Universities’ “Kings of Rugby Sevens’’ series.

The series was concluded over the weekend at Egerton University of Njoro, near Nakuru, 181 kilometres west of the capital city Nairobi.

The South Africans beat Kenya’s most improved rugby playing college, Kenyatta University 17-14 in the finals. (PANA/NAN)
TON
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Audio Attached

NAN-ELS-6
Dishes
By Oladapo Udom
Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) A nutritionist, Mrs Hajara Haruna, has urged continental hotels in the country to promote Nigerian food as a way of stimulating the development of tourism.

Haruna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that hotels in other countries of the world have always given preference to local cuisines ahead of continental food.

• Cue in audio

“I would advise that we promote our local dishes.

“If you are running a continental hotel, you should promote the other continental dishes; but Nigerian food or specialty should be main courses for the event.
“Other continental dishes should be optional because we are in Nigeria.

“If you find yourself today in India, you cannot see an India man offering you Nigerian food simply because you are black.

Mrs Haruna’s audio
“We are Nigerians and some of us really appreciate our local food regardless of where you are coming from.

“So long (as) it’s a Nigerian food, Nigerians appreciate it.’’

• Cue out audio

According to Haruna, local canteens or restaurants should not be the only places where people can get assorted local food.
“The Chinese rice and noodles have become so popular because they refused to encourage the patronage of other continental dishes at the expense of theirs in China.
“And as they say, `charity begins at home’.

“That is why you can easily find a Chinese meal on the streets of America without much stress.”
The nutritionist told NAN that since Nigeria is blessed with a variety of delicacies, deliberate efforts should be made by hotels to provide both continental and local dishes. (NAN)
OUU/ERO/OSA/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim
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Stakeholders call for improvement in herders-farmers relationship
NAN-H-24
Dialogue
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Stakeholders at the herders and farmers dialogue have called for improvement in the fragile but inseparable relationship between the herders and farmers for economic growth and peaceful co-existence.
The call is contained in a communiqué issued in Abuja at the end of a one-day dialogue aimed to find lasting solutions to incessant conflicts between the two parties.
The stakeholders enumerated causes of conflicts between the two, stressing that their conflicts were a national problem that demanded national and quick intervention.
The meeting noted with concern that the conflicts had led to loss of uncountable lives and properties.
According to the meeting, such conflicts often culminate in ethnic and religious crisis, poverty, unemployment, political and hate speeches as well as fear and tension across the country.
The meeting agreed that economic solutions should be found to the conflict because of the immense benefits from both the herders and farmers.
The stakeholders harped on the need for synergy between pastoralists for interstate movement while calling on communities and security agencies to collaborate for peace building around the issue.
The meeting called for adequate budget and investment in peace building activities to sustain the peace.
The stakeholders also stressed the need for accurate statistics of herders in each state of the federation and increased number of grazing reserves in the country.
They also called for the development of a robust ‘education policy to integrate herders into the education system.
“Provision of early warning mechanisms for intelligence gathering and provision of harmonised rapid response mechanisms such as call centres and distress numbers.
”Collaboration and support among civil society organisations, federal, state and local governments as well as security agencies to sensitise the public to the need for peace, security and national development.”
The communiqué was signed by representatives of different organisations including the Director General Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Oshita Oshita and Agyole Abeh, Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Headquarters, Abuja.
Others are Brig. Gen. Lym Hassan, Representative of Minister of Defence, CCI Etuk, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps and Commandant Danjuma Elisha, Representative of the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The signatories also inlude Baba Ngelzarma, National Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Musa Salihu, Director, National Human Rights Commission .
Other signatories are Ajaegbu Cordelia from the Federal Ministry of Education and Jaye Gaskia of Praxis Centre, Abuja. (NAN)
IAA/HAS/TA
Edited by Hajia Sani/Tajudeen Atitebi

Kenyan premier club, AFC Leopards, get new coach

NAN-S-6
Coach
Nairobi, Oct. 25, 2016 (PANA/NAN) Englishman Stewart John Hall will take charge of the Kenyan Premier League side, AFC Leopards, from Nov. 1, following sack of its coach, club sources told PANA in Nairobi.

The incoming coach, Ivan Minnaert, is a Belgian.

Although the Kenyan Premier League season ends mid-November, Leopards are bringing Coach Hall, believing that he will change the club’s declining fortunes in the 2017 season.

Leopards have dropped to 13th in the 16-team league after being thrashed 2-0 by arch-rivals and defending champions Gor Mahia 2-0.

The match was a well-attended Nairobi derby at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Tusker are perched atop the table with 52 points, followed by Gor Mahia with 48, while Chemelil Sugar are third with 43 points.

Hall is not a stranger in Kenya, having handled a Premier League side Sofapaka in 2012.

He is currently coaching Tanzania Premier League side, Azam, after his first stint in 2012-13

Hall was also the Zanzibar National team coach in 2012 and an Academy Director at Birmingham FC in England. (PANA/NAN)
TON
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Third runway to be built at London’s Heathrow airport, Transport Secretary

NAN-F-7
Airport
London, Oct. 25, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The British government has given the go-ahead for a third runway to be built at London’s Heathrow airport, despite fierce opposition from the city’s residents and environmental groups, the report said on Tuesday,.

It said that alternative plans to expand an existing runway at Heathrow or to build another runway at one of London’s other airports were rejected.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling described the move as “truly momentous.”

“I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market.

“Securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond,” Grayling said.

Plans to expand airport capacity in the crowded south-east of England were first aired a decade ago under the then Labour government.

The proposal for a new runway at Heathrow faced the most vocal opposition, including from former London mayor and current Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

In 2009, former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron said there would be no new runway at Heathrow. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-25

Lodger

By Deborah Akpede

Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) A lodger, Joy Chiaka, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to settle her hotel bills, totaling N151,000.

Chiaka, 40, whose occupation and address were not provided, is being tried for fraud and dishonest use of property.

The Prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, told court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 12 at Kofoworola Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that the accused lodged in a hotel for 15 days and was provided meals for the period without paying the accumulated bill of N151,000.

“The accused came with her son to lodge at Destiny Hotel and fed for 15 days but refused to pay.”

Nwosu said that when the accused checked into the hotel, all effort to pay through the hotel POS machine was unsuccessful.

“When the accused came in, she tried to make payment through the hotel’s POS machine that night but the transaction was not successful, the management thought it was network problem.

“The accused promised to pay the money the following day and the hotel accommodated her with her son.

“But unfortunately, the accused did not make payment either through the POS or ATM, she kept giving assurances of payment until she spent 15 days.

“When the management of the hotel insisted that the accused must pay her bills on the 15th day, she told them that she did not have money,” Nwosu said

The offences allegedly committed by Chiaka contravened Sections 278 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 stipulates a 15-year imprisonment for offenders, if found liable.

The accused pleaded not guilty of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Adesanya, adjourned the case till Nov. 11 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/AOS/YMU/SN
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Silas Nwoha

FG to support farmers to boost Irish potato production, value chain

NAN-AE-3
Potato
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has expressed its determination to support Irish potato farmers toward increasing their productivity and modifying value chain in 2017.

Chief Daniel Okafor, the National President, Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okafor said that the Irish potato value chain programme would be launched in January 2017.

He said that the Federal Government had already put POFAN into its programme and ready to distribute disease resistance seeds by January to farmers.

Okafor stressed the need for the potato farmers to capture their data, including the size of their crop land, location and the number of the existing farmers.

According to him, government is going to give every state what it deserves to increase potato production.

“It is not going to be business as usual because farmer will be working with Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Agriculture.

“All the government is going to do is allocate certain amount of money to Irish potato value chain products, give farm inputs, tractors and create tractor hiring centre in each Local Government.

“Government does not want to manage it but ready to give stakeholders to drive the farmers to form cooperative within themselves to access loans and farm inputs.

“The company we are going to use will control the tractors as a centre.

“ In that centre we will have people in charge of mechanization, all types of input, irrigation pump, disease control and anything that is going to help us the centre will provide.

POFAN president said that whenever farmers need anything like fund and technical services, the centre would provide the support.

“The company that is buying our produce will come and buy at our price, and after buying the centre will collect the money and give us our balance.

“The centre will serve as a link between farmers and the company, so that farmers will not be cheated because we should have a say on our products,’’ Okafor said. (NAN)
ROK/AOM/AFA
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-23
Bill
Yola, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, a member representing Mubi South in Adamawa House of Assembly, has commended the senate for the passing the North East Development Commission (NEDC) bill.

Abubakar made the commendation on Tuesday in Yola during an interview with newsmen.

“The coming of the commission is a welcome relief to the people of North-East.

“The people have been waiting for a major breakthrough that will fast track the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region, particularly areas affected by insurgency.

“As someone from an area affected by the insurgency, I must first of all thank God, Mr President and security operatives for the liberation of the areas, and the return of peace.

“The passage of NEDC bill is a welcome development and a big relief that will bring succour to our people who are struggling to pick up their lives ones again.’’

Abubakar called for involvement of men and women of proven integrity in running the commission to enable it to make a meaningful impact within the 10 years stipulated for its existence.

The lawmaker said that reconstruction of structures such as roads, bridges, hospitals and schools destroyed by insurgents should be given priority by the commission.

“Returnees who are mostly  farmers need to be supported with necessary inputs to return to farm and fully exploit the fertile arable land in the region for their personal benefits and the nation in general,” Abubakar said.

He said that on his part, he was engaged in rural water supply by drilling boreholes and rehabilitating old ones in his constituency.

“I also supported some farmers with free fertiliser this farming season,” he said. (NAN)
YMU/MO/IGO
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(Edited by Morayo Omolade/Ijeoma Popoola)