Blog

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Odemwingie
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Rotherham United has confirmed the signing of unattached former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City striker, Peter Odemwingie on a short-term deal until Jan. 2017.

The English Championship side confirmed the signing on its official website.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 35-year-old is Millers boss, Kenny Jackett, first signing since taking over the Championship’s bottom club on  Oct., replacing Alan Stubbs.

Odemwingie has also played for Russian side, Lokomotiv Moscow, French club Lille and on loan at Bristol City last season.

League One Bolton Wanderers revealed he was training with them on Friday.

But the Bolton News reported that an injury to Wanderers midfielder, Tom Thorpe could force the club to seek to sign a midfielder instead of a forward.

Nigeria international Odemwingie, who has also played for Cardiff, last played a competitive match on April 19. (NAN)
VO/KOLE/YAZ
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Edited by Remi Koleoso

1.Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Ibadan, holds annual seminar entitled
“ Women Bigamists in South-East Nigeria: The Social Contradictions of the Feminist Struggles’’.

2.Plenary on Anti-Grazing Bill comes up at the Osun State House of Assembly.

3.Public lecture entitled “ Deconstructing the National Development Agenda: The Role of Information and Communication Technology,’’ holds at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun.

4.Gov. Lalong of Plateau meets with farmers’ representatives over post-harvest losses in the state.

5.Gov. Almakura of Nasarawa State meets with first class traditional rulers in Lafia over security matters.

5.NSCDC, Taraba Command, briefs newsmen in Jalingo on power cable vandalism in the state.

6. Kogi Governor’s wife inaugurates immunisation campaign in Lokoja.

7. Benue Commissioner for Trade and Investment meets with leaders of markets associations in Makurdi.

8. First International Transportation Conference holds at Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

8. UNFPA launches 2016 State of the World Population report at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

9.NYSC FC to face State House FC, while Police Machine FC will meet Medav FC in group A in the ongoing FCT Super League.‎

10.‎The Miners Association of Nigeria holds 3-day mining week in Abuja.

11.House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta organises public hearing on a Bill to review the Presidential Amnesty programme.

12. House of Representatives resumes plenary to debate on Bills and motions.

NAN-H-

Farm

Doma (Nasarawa State) Oct.24, 2016 (NAN) A lawmaker, Mr Mohammed Okpede,  on Monday in Nasarawa, urged Nigerians to return to farm as a way of quickly addressing the nation’s food crisis.

Okpede, a large scale farmer, said he cultivated over 90 hectares of land to boost food production in Nasarawa State.

the lawmaker, representing Doma North Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, while inspecting his farm on Doma/Yelwa road in Doma Local Government area of the state.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who was conducted round the farm, observed that crops grown at the farm included cassava, maize, Beninese, yam, guinea corn and some economic trees.

It was also observed that some of the farm labourers were busy harvesting maize, yam and other crops.

Okpede, who is also the Chairman, house Committee on Health, said he decided to embark on farming to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in diversifying the economy.

He urged youths to go back to farm to become self reliant and fight poverty, unemployment and boost the socio-economic development of the country.

According to him, for the country to achieve food sufficiency and overcome the present hardship, youths and other Nigerians must go back to farm.

“I want my people and other Nigerians to know that farming is the only common activity one can do to sustain his living, that is why I am into farming for my constituents to see and emulate.

“No society can live comfortably without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family, nation and its importance cannot be overemphasised to the development of any society.

“Apart from ensuring food security, farming also provides job opportunities boosts the revenue of the state and the country at large.

“If youths and other Nigerians go back to farm, it will not only reduce over dependence on oil but will also fight poverty, unemployment, youths restiveness and other social vices.’’

The lawmaker, however, appealed to the government to distribute fertilisers and other farm inputs to farmers to meet the requirements in tackling poverty and ensure food security in the country. (NAN)

BAB/ADA/IA

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-S

Ballon d’Or

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Leicester City heroes Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, stars in their team’s fairytale run to the Premier League title last season, have been named on a 30-player longlist for the 2016 Ballon d’Or.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the French football magazine released the names of 30 nominees of the 2016 Ballon d’Or on Monday.

The list was released in batches of five players.

Vardy – who has enjoyed a meteoric rise from amateur football to rub shoulders with the game’s biggest names – is the sole Englishman nominated for the prestigious prize award.

NAN also reports that France Football magazine is organising the trophy on its own after the end of a partnership with Fifa in September.

The Foxes pair are among eight Premier League stars on the list.

Three-time world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and last year’s victor Lionel Messi, who has won it five times, are among the favourites to take the prize once again.

Ronaldo, who took home the award in 2008, 2013 and 2014, set himself up for a potential fourth Ballon d’Or after captaining Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and helping Real Madrid to an 11th Champions League triumph.

Other members of Madrid’s Champions League-winning campaign have been recognised as well. They are Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

Pepe and Ronaldo are also joined on the list by Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Patricio, who kept goal in Portugal’s run to Euro glory.

Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann is another leading contender. However, his compatriot Karim Benzema is not on the list, the Real Madrid striker’s year having been overshadowed by the sextape blackmail affair which led to him being frozen out of the national team ahead of the Euros.

The winner will be determined by a vote of journalists – national team captains and managers will no longer have a say after the ending of the five-year deal between France Football and Fifa.

The first Ballon d’Or was won by Stanley Matthews, at the time with Blackpool, who beat Alfredo Di Stefano for the inaugural title in 1956.

FULL LIST

Sergio Aguero (ARG/Manchester City), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (GAB/Borussia Dortmund), Gareth Bale (WAL/Real Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon (ITA/Juventus), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (BEL/Manchester City), Paulo Dybala (ARG/Juventus), Diego Godin (URU/Atletico Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (FRA/Atletico Madrid) and Gonzalo Higuain (ARG/Juventus).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE/Manchester United), Andres Iniesta (ESP/Barcelona), Koke (ESP/Atletico Madrid), Toni Kroos (GER/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (POL/Bayern Munich), Hugo Lloris (FRA/Tottenham Hotspur), Riyad Mahrez (ALG/Leicester City) and Lionel Messi (ARG/Barcelona).

Luka Modric (CRO/Real Madrid), Thomas Mueller (GER/Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (GER/Bayern Munich), Neymar (BRA/Barcelona), Dimitri Payet (FRA/West Ham United), Paul Pogba (FRA/Manchester United), Pepe (POR/Real Madrid) and Rui Patricio (POR/Sporting Lisbon).

Sergio Ramos (ESP/Real Madrid), Luis Suarez (URU/Barcelona), Jamie Vardy (ENG/Leicester City) and Arturo Vidal (CHI/Bayern Munich). (NAN)

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NAN-S

Award

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann was named La Liga player of the season for 2015/16 on Monday, ahead of the likes of star duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atletico’s Diego Simeone also took the coach of the season award while Barcelona’s Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was named the top non-EU player.

Curiously, though, Barca’s Argentina international Messi was recognised as the best forward at the award ceremony in Valencia.

Atletico dominated the awards as Jan Oblak was picked as the best goalkeeper, Diego Godin top defender and Frenchman Griezmann also claimed the fans’ award.

Real Madrid weren’t left empty-handed, though, as Luka Modric was named best midfielder. (NAN)

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NSCDC deploys 2, 300 personnel to North-East- CG
NAN-DS-
10

By Yahaya Isah

Deployment

Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said on Monday that the corps had deployed 2,300 Personnel to the North-East to protect the liberated towns and IDPs Camps.

According to the statement by 
the Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Okeh, made available to newsmen in Abuja, this was in line with the Corps mandate in disaster management, mitigation, rescue and Rehabilitation.

The statement quoted the Commandant General (CG), Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, as making the the disclosure during the oversight function of the House Committee on Interior, led by its Chairman, Mr Jagaba Jagaba to the NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja.

“In Nigeria, the corps mandate enables it to be the sole protector of Critical infrastructure and national assets in the country.
“The corps also regulates the Private Guards Company (PGC), which the organisation has succeeded in sanitising and transformed into a very professional sector,’’ he said.

He said that the corps officers and Men worked in all the nook and crannies of the 774 Local Government Areas in the country, and yet they had no barracks to live in.

The CG commended Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno for assisting the Officers and Men in the North-East.
Muhammadu observed that among the agencies under the Ministry of Interior, the NSCDC had the least budgetary allocation.
“Till now the promoted Officers and Men in the Corps have not been paid their promotion arrears and new salaries.

“I pray that from now till the end of the year all these arrears will be paid to all the affected Personnel.

“Though, not captured in the 2016 budget, but with your visit I am sure, you will look into the matter,’’ he said.

He said that the Corps was unable to carry out certain responsibilities confronting it due to inadequate release of the budgetary allocation.

The CG, therefore, appealed for the reversal of the Corps Life Insurance Policy of Personnel, which was managed earlier by the Corps, before it was moved to the Office of the Head of Service.

“There is delay in terms of payment of staff entitlement affected by occupational hazards, which was not so in the past,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman House Committee on Interior, Mr Jagaba Jagaba said that the purpose of their visit to the CG was to make them realise the importance of their jobs.
Jagaba urged Corps not to jeopardise the confidence, faith, respect, trust and confidence Nigerians reposed on them, rather, they should continue to work hard in order to maintain their reputation.

He promised that the 2017 budget for the Corps would be better than the 2016 budgetary allocation, in order to enable them carry out their responsibilities.

Jagaba stressed the need for Officers and Men to be properly motivated for the services they rendered to the country.
He noted that if the Personnel were not well motivated accordingly, they could indulge themselves in negative activities.
“To avoid this kind situation, Officers and Men welfare is very key to good service delivery.
“Discipline among Personnel of the Corps is also very important in service delivery,’’ he said. (NAN)

YI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide

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NAN-H-84
Corruption
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct.24,2016 (NAN) The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, has said that measures were being taken to curb the menace of corruption in the justice sector.

Mohammed said this while unveiling a new National Judicial Policy put together by the National Judicial Council (NJC) at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja on Monday.

According to him,  it will be stating the obvious to opine that the greatest single menace that challenges the justice system in Nigeria today is corruption.

“This endemic vice is not peculiar to any region and ethnic group, cutting across faiths, religious denominations, levels of education and economic status.

“Corruption has serious implications for both the rule of law and access to justice, and must be fought both institutionally and individually,” Mohammed said.

He further said: “this is why the National Judicial Policy contains clear provisions restating the sector’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“This is clearly spelt out in Paragraph 5.1 of the National Judicial Policy 2016.

“The new Policy recognises that the greatest and most damaging challenge to administration of justice is corruption and that tackling this challenge must go beyond mere exhortation and sentiments,” he said.

He said the policy gave the legal backing for several multifaceted strategies and guidelines to be developed.

According to him, the sector will ride on the back of this new template to rid the system of corrupt tendencies.

Mohammed noted that the absence of such policy in the past brought about uneven growth of the Sector

“Certainly, the absence of this kind of blueprint has resulted in continouos demand for the transformation of the country’s Judiciary into a modern judicial system.

“For a number of years, each jurisdiction has had to muddle along in developing core values and objectives and this has led to a mixed bag of standards and policies.

“This has also been compounded by the challenging deprivations and paucity of resources, without which critical development was limited,” the CJN said.

Mohammed said the policy was a charter of commitment to the values that elevated not only judicial institutions, but also those employed by or involved in it.

According to him, the importance of the foundational virtues of discipline, efficiency, integrity and enduring commitment are reflected in the document.

He further said the policy would serve as a mechanism to facilitates a greater knowledge of the sector by the other arms of government.

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, retired Justice Dahiru Musdapher, corroborated Mohammed’s views , and said the policy had come to fix most of the disjointed developments in the sector.

The event also featured the inauguration, by the CJN, of the Judicial Ethics Committee headed by Justice Idris Kutigi.

The committee is expected to conduct periodic surveys on behalf of the NJC on compliance with the policy as it affects the administration of justice and application of ethical standards. (NAN)
OMO/OFN

Efited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-AE-16

Collaboration

Birnin Kebbi Oct 24 2016 (NAN)The Federal Government-owned Technology Incubation Centre, Birnin Kebbi, says it is collaborating with state and local governments in the training of entrepreneurs on production of organic fertilisers.

Alhaji Nuhu Koko, the Control Manager of the incubation centre, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

He said the collaboration was part of the activities of the centre in boosting the economy of the state as well as promoting agricultural initiatives.

He assured that the centre was determined to train the youth on innovative skills with a view to achieve self reliance and economic sustainability.

Koko called on well to do individuals and the private sector to equally collaborate with the centre to train and meet their manpower requirement, especially on vocational skills.

NAN recalls that the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, recently inaugurated the basic skills training of 750 youths at the centre. (NAN)

BKD/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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UN expresses confidence Nigeria will meet SDGs target of poverty eradication

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SDGs

Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN)The UN has expressed confidence that Nigeria would meet the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) target of poverty eradication by 2030.

Ms Angele Dikongue-Atangana, the acting UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the celebration of 71 anniversary of United Nations.

Dikongue-Atangana recalled that member states had in 2015 agreed to the 2030 Development Agenda and the 17 SDGs published to guide stakeholders in global development

The UN envoy said that the determination of Nigeria to implement that Agenda was very clear.

She stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari had expressed commitment to work toward achieving the goal in Nigeria at the UN Summit in New York.

According to her, there are clear institutional arrangements being put in place to enable Nigeria meet the target.

“Many have asked the question whether Nigeria can meet the SDGs. The answer is yes.

“Nigeria has the human and material resources available to drive this movement toward building a better country, if we work together.

“We have to remove millions of our people from poverty; ensure access to foods, good health care, education and general access to their human rights.

“We ensure that the economy grows in such a way that jobs are created; and that inequalities are reduced between the haves and have-nots.

“We will work to promote good governance, justice and peace,” she said.

According to her, work is going on how to implement the 17 SDGs.
“What is needed is better focus and building the momentum to move faster and deliver results for the Nigerian people,’’she said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama,   said that Nigeria was of the view that the attainment of the targets of the SDGs would largely depend on global solidarity.

Onyeama stated that the attainment would also depend on cooperation and good governance within each country and at the international level.

“Nigeria recognises the central role of the UN in advancing universal achievement of the Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly in developing countries,” he said.

He urged all member states to refrain from taking unilateral coercive, economic, financial and trade actions that could impede the full implementation and benefits of SGDs, particularly in the African continent (NAN)

IAA/DUA/OU

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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Obike Ukoh
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NAN-H-82
Amosun
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, further adjourned till Nov. 23 and 24 the ongoing trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu rtd., and 10 others.

Amosun is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga.

Also charged are some companies, namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd,  Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, defence counsel Mr Norrison Quakers had asked a prosecution witness, one Mojeed Olatunji, a compliance officer with Skye bank, to exhibit his international passport before the court.

After the witness had tendered same, the defence counsel had argued that there were disparities in the identity of witness and the documents earlier tendered in court.

He urged the court to discountenance the statement of the witness and adjourn to a further date, to enable him cross examine the witness on another document earlier tendered in court.

In response, prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to overlook the argument of defence counsel as a ploy to delay trial.

Oyedepo added that the submissions were immaterial as the witness was not named as an accused in the charge.

However, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris ruled otherwise and granted an adjournment.

He fixed Nov. 23 and 24 for continuation.

The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mohammed Idris.

They were arraigned on June 26 and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge had then granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

The charges against the accused border on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

In one of the counts, the accused were said to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force, to their own use.

In another instance, the EFCC alleged that Amosun and the others stole over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

He said the alleged theft was for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

The alleged offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. (NAN)
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Yusuf Zango