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Paedophilia: Paediatrician warns of rising cases of child sexual abuse, urges vigilance
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Paedophilia
By Joy Mbachi
Nnewi (Anambra), Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) A consultant paediatrician, Dr George Emechebe, on Thursday called on residents of Anambra to beware of paedophiles in their communities.
Emechebe, of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nnewi that the call was necessitated by the increase in paedophilia in the state.
NAN reports that paedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult experiences exclusive sexual attraction to children or has a carnal knowledge of children.
The person who commits the act is called a paedophile and could be either a male or a female.
The paediatrician said he treated no fewer than two paedophile cases every month.
He said that there was a need for cohesive effort to stop the act which is alien to Nigerian culture.
“Victims of paedophiles come with bruises and bleeding from their private parts, having psychological trauma and, most times, contract infections.
“It is expedient for parents and guardians of younger children to be aware of this social ill and protect their children and wards carefully.
“They should monitor their movements and know the people they leave their wards with,’’ he advised.
Emechebe encouraged parents to report any act of paedophile to the nearest police station and take the victims to hospital for medical check immediately.
Speaking on the same issue in a telephone interview with NAN, Dr Lawrence Ikeakor, said the hospital had not recorded such a case.
Ikeakor, Chief Medical Officer, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, said paedophilia was an aberration and a psychological problem.
He said it had a psychological impact on the affected children, noting that victims, oftentimes, found it difficult to adjust in future.
Okafor said that parents should be careful of the custody of their wards, advising that necessary action should be taken instantly in case anything happened.
Mrs Pat Offiah, an aide to Gov. Willy Obiano of Anambra, said that cases of paedophilia were on the increase, adding that government would deal with any offender caught.
“The government will punish any confirmed offender to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Let the public know that it is not a socially acceptable act in the state,’’ Offiah, Obiano’s aide on primary education, told NAN on telephone.
A school proprietor, Mrs Chinwe Anunobi, blamed cases of paedophilia on parents who neglected their primary assignment of taking care of their children for material gains.
Another educationist, Mrs Sharon Mmaduabuchi, said the issue of child sexual abuse was rampant in the state, citing a case of a two-year-old girl who was raped by her uncle.
Mnaduabuchi advised mothers to be on red alert in order to prevent reoccurrence.
The most recently reported case of paedophile in Anambra was that of a pastor who raped a thirteen-year-old boy at the church premises at Ifite, Awka.
Another case in the state was that of an eleven-year-old girl who was raped recently by her elderly neighbour.
In spite of these, there are many unreported cases of child sexual abuse because families of victims fear stigmatisation and the long process of getting justice. (NAN)
JOY/COF/WOJ
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-7
Debate
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Some former political candidates on Friday in Lagos hailed senate’s plans to conduct compulsory debates for governorship and presidential candidates in 2019.

They said in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that such debates would enable voters to know more about the candidates and their parties to be able to make wise choices.

The senate had last week passed for second reading a bill seeking establishment of a commission with the responsibility to organise debates for candidates cleared for governorship and presidential elections.

The bill titled “Nigerian Political Debates Commission Bill, 2015’’ was sponsored by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari.

Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the Presidential Candidate of the KOWA Party in the 2015 general elections, told NAN that the debate would help voters to see the other side of candidates.

“The debates are necessary. How else will the people get to really know those they are to vote for?

“Debates help us to see some sides of  a candidate which will otherwise be unknown such as his ability to withstand pressure, his reaction to opposition, clarity of expression, among others,’’ Sonaiya said.

In the same vein, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, the Presidential Candidate of the African Renaissance Party in 2011, said that the plan was laudable.

“This is good news,’’ he said.

Ndu, however, said that debates would not guarantee competence of candidates.

“It will hardly solve anything as talk is cheap.

“The only guarantee for responsible and competent governance is mass participatory system of government.

“Anything short of that is neither here nor there,’’ Ndu said.

Mr Ayodele Akele, the 2015 Governorship Candidates of the National Conscience Party in Lagos State, said that the plan was in the right direction.

“This is great; it will give Nigerians the opportunity to critically appraise candidates of their choice.

“It will also test candidates’ ability and knowledge on various issues.

“If we reasoned through this line, the country would have been better for everyone, and things would not have been this bad.

“The masses through several debates would have known who their representatives truly are,’’ Akele said.

Mr Martin Onovo, the Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party in the 2015, also hailed the senate plan.

“Debates are necessary to improve communication between candidates and voters.

“However, a senate move to make it compulsory now may not be our national priority given the current serious security and economic issues on ground,’’ Onovo said.

(NAN)

LED/IGO
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NAN-HE-1
Market
By AbdulFatai Beki
Ilorin, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The 20 traders that were affected by the recent fire that gutted eight shops at Saraki Market in llorin are calling for financial assistance from well meaning individuals and government.
They said that the assistance would enable them return to their businesses.
The market, popular for assorted food items and locust beans, is located at lta-Ama in llorin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the market on Friday, reported that business activities had resumed fully in the market, except the burnt section where ashes still littered the ground.
Alhaji Shehu Eleburuke, the Chairman of Saraki Market Traders Association, who spoke on behalf of the affected traders, described the fire outbreak as a disaster to the owners.
He said about seven million naira worth of food items were lost to the inferno.
“The 20 traders no longer have means of livelihood and none of us at the market is capable of assisting them,” he said.
Eleburuke appealed to well meaning Nigerians, the llorin West Local Government council and the Kwara Government to come to the aid of the affected traders.
Alhaji AbdulWahab lssa, the Director General of Senate President Constituency Office in llorin, said the office had collated the names of the affected traders with a view to providing them succour.
He appealed to the traders to exercise patience as their plight was receiving necessary attention at the office.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of llorin West Local Government council, Alhaji Tajudeen Zulu-Oloje, on the issue proved abortive.
The fire outbreak at the market occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, Oct. 4. (NAN)
BEKI/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

National Council on Communication Technology holds in Kaduna
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Communication
Abuja, Oct 21, 2016 (NAN) The 4^th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology will hold in Kaduna from Oct. 24 to Oct. 29, toward repositioning the Information Communication Technology ( ICT) sector for national development.

A statement, issued on Friday in Abuja, by Mr Ozoya Imohimi, Assistant Director (Information) in the Ministry of Communication, has said.

Imohimi said that the meeting has the theme: ‘Information and Communication Technology as the Focal Point of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification’.

“The meeting is expected to be used to strategise towards positioning ICT as the focal point of the nation’s economy.

According to him, the Minister of Communications,  Mr Adebayo Shittu, who is Chairman of the Council, is to lead the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Communications and its Agencies to attend the meeting.

He said the council would be declared open by the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Friday Oct. 28 at the Arewa House in Kaduna.

“Delegates expected to attend the council meeting are commissioners for ICT from the 36 states of the federation and officials from ministries of ICT and their agencies.

“Preceding technical session would be presided over by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Mr Sonny Echono.

“It is also a forum used to strategise a robust ICT development in Nigeria, he added. (NAN)
COA/TO/AFA
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Felix Ajide
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Stadium
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Sokoto, Alhaji Musa Ausa, said the state government had concluded plans to construct a new Stadium in Sokoto township to enhance sports development.

Ausa tpld the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Sokoto  that “the present administration in Sokoto is fully committed to ensuring the general reforms of sporting activities in the state.

“So, we will ensure that no sector of sports is left behind to encourage our teeming youths to become more productive and useful in sports participation,” Ausa said.

He said that arrangements were in top gear to renovate all the playing grounds at Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto.

The commission said the state government was determined to develop all sporting activities in the state and also develop the talented youths to enable them participate actively in sporting activities. (NAN)
MNB/MO/OFN
Edited by Morayo Omolade//Felix Nwadioha

1. Central Bank of Nigeria starts the disbursement of the Youth Empowerment Development Fund in Abuja.
2. Cancer Education Training, organised by Africa Organisation for Training and Research in Cancer, ends in Abuja.
3. A N100 million alleged breach of fundamental human rights suit instituted against the EFCC by Sen. Adeseun Ayoade comes up at the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
4. Workshop on polio eradication organised by the Osun Ministry of Health holds in Osogbo.
5. Minister of Science and Technology receives European Union Delegation in Abuja.
6. Consolidation of cases against Sambo Dasuki for alleged money laundering and breach of trust comes up at an FCT High Court.
7. Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court to rule on a civil matter between Believers Church of Christ and Tokunbo Adedayo.
8. The National Industrial Court hears a case of alleged termination of appointment filed an aggrieved member of staff against Ecobank.
9. Trial of an aide to former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, continues at an FCT High Court.
10. Former House of Reps Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abdulmumumni Jubril application over his suspension in the assembly comes up at Federal High Court, Abuja.
11. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo attends convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti. (NAN)

Association says multiple funding option will bounce back mining sector
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Funding
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja Oct.21, 2016(NAN) The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) believes that a multiple funding option is necessary for the nation’s mining sector to bounce back.
President of the association Shehu Sani expressed the opinion at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja.

“So for mining to bounce back, there must be a multiple funding option, there must be a multiple participation from international players because that was what happened in other countries.

“Once the funding is coming from different windows, the investors are coming from different countries, before you know it, Nigeria will regain her past mining glory.

“I am so happy that before now the Minister(of Mines and Steel Development) has said that the American exploration agency has expressed intention to assist Nigeria.”

He said with the new face being given to the sector, foreign investors would be attracted.

According to him, mining is an international business and miners can go to different parts of the world  to mine.

“What government has done (approving N30 billion intervention fund) will attract them to come and some have taken the risk of coming over and our members have been in partnership with some of them.

“Some are from Canada, China, the UK;  others are from even Africa; Ghana, miners have come here to see how we can work together to mine gold.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for improving the security situation in the country, saying it would help business to thrive.

“I traveled all over the world, Vietnam, Thailand, China,  UK;  I traveled a lot to see how we can woo these investors but they kept repeating the security issue which you can’t argue.

“But now they have started coming; right now, we have a team from China that is traveling round to find out what it can do and another team is coming from Ukraine.

“So even with the funding that the government is providing, it is going to be a welcome idea for the foreigners to come and assist Nigeria in the area of exploration.

NAN reports that a good number of mining investors are in the country at the moment and are already into different levels of partnership with members of the miners association (NAN)
LCN/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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Rankings

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria have moved up four places in the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles are now ranked 11th in Africa and 60th in the world following their impressive start in 2018 World Cup qualifying.

Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 away from home to move to the top of a group that also includes Algeria and Cameroun, two sides ranked higher in the latest classifications.

An accumulation of 28 ranking points means Nigeria’s total now stands at 562.32.

The Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia and Ghana are the top African sides on the latest rankings in descending order.

Meanwhile, Argentina remain top of the pile in the latest rankings despite an indifferent start to 2018 World Cup qualifying in the South America zone.

Colombia, Belgium, Brazil and Germany complete the top five in ascending order. (NAN)

VO/YAZ
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Edited by Yusuf Zango

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Europa

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Manchester United on Thursday moved to the top of Group A in the Europa League after cruising to a 4-1 win over Fenerbache at Old Trafford.

After an uneventful opening 29 minutes, Jose Mourinho’s side quickly established a two-goal lead courtesy of quick-fire penalties from Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.

Pogba scored his second goal of the game on the stroke of half-time with a trademark strike from distance and Jesse Lingard sealed the win with another fine shot from range early in the second half.

Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike came in the 46th minute to salvage something for the visitors and to his credit he had a decent performance on the night.

However, it was Robin van Persie who capped off his return to the Theatre of Dreams with a late consolation goal as the Red Devils secured a convincing win in Europe.

Feyenoord 1-0 victory over Zorya ensured the Dutch side remain level with United on six points with Fenerbahce and Zorya trailing behind on four and one point respectively in Group A. (NAN)
VO/YAZ
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Delta trains 60 mediators

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Training

Asaba , Oct 20, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 60 mediators have  been trained by Delta Ministry of  Justice with the mandate to promote peace and social harmony among residents of the state.

The Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, made the disclosure in a statement in Asaba on Thursday.

Mrakpor also stated that the  legal officers, trained in the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Councilors, would be formally inducted before the end of November.

He enjoined all the chartered mediators in the ministry to brace up for the challenges ahead.

The commissioner said that the mediator would be posted to mediation centres of the ministry established in the 25 local government areas of the state.

He said the training of the mediators was desugned to promote peace and social harmony in line with the smart agender of the administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.

He said that the affected mediators would also be deployed to different departments and agencies, and from time to time render legal aid in the state. (NAN).

EGI/DOE/OFN

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong//Felix Nwadioha