Blog

NAN-H-121
Culture
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) The new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare the II, has said that his reign would bring about cultural reawakening and promotion of customs and values of the Benin people.

The Monarch said this in his acceptance speech after being crowned as the 40th Oba of Benin Kingdom by the Uzama chiefs, led by Chief Oliha at Urhokpota in Benin on Thursday.

He said “I accept in humility the destiny of expression of our culture and history of our people.

“Some of the eroding ideas and cultural heritage that have us proud will be reawakened and sustained with time.’’

Ewuare said customs and traditions gave people identity for ages despite religious and ethnic differences.

He appreciated his father, the late Oba Erediauwa, for his exemplary qualities as oba in the comity of traditional rulers in Nigeria and in Africa and promised to sustain his legacies.

He said “since the Oba remains the only channel of communication between the ancestors and the people, we shall truthfully discharge these duties.

“We will also address the real issue of security, welfare and reform palace administration for dispensation of justice, equity and stability of the Kingdom.

“We shall strive to resolve conflicts along the line of diplomacy for continuous harmonious relationship with the people and our neighbours.’’

Ewuare, who called for the maintenance of culture, especially the Bini language, said
“I insist that we speak the language in our homes because it is imperative to maintain this our culture as it is and remains the only unifying factor in Benin.
“I also want to appeal to relevant government agencies to include Edo language in school curriculum as it remains the only link among the people.’’

The Monarch pledged that the palace would remain non-partisan.

He stressed that “we will always offer prayers to the ancestors to provide us with the right kind of leaders who will provide good leadership to the people and accord respect to the traditional institution.’’ (NAN)
KOO/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Follow due process in your mining activities, MAN appeals to miners

NAN-HE-30
Miners
Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Sani Shehu, the President of Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), has advised miners to follow due process in all their mining activities.

Shehu who spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stressed the need to follow due process as “mining is regulated sector with dos and don’ts.

“Mining is not like trading, if you like to trade on anything, just have your capital and source your product; if it is groundnut or whatever, go to the market, sell it and make profit.

“Mining is a regulated sector, which requires a miner to get a mining licence, community development agreement, environmental impact assessment or environmental audit.

“So it is fully regulated sector, that has a lot of requirements for one to meet and we are sensitising our people to do it according to the regulation.

“There are components such as safety, health, environment, that are attached to mining which a miner is supposed to observe.

“Part of what we are doing to assist the government is information dissemination,” he said

Shehu said there were a lot of mining rules not being observed by miners and urged the regulatory authority to step up its functions.

He said that after mining a site, there was need for the company that carried out the operations to work on `healing the land’ but it was seldomly done.

Shehu said that it was the responsibility of the regulatory authority, a department in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to ensure that mining and reclamation were done properly.

“But I noticed that the department has been incapacitated in a way, they find it difficult to function properly, to the extent of proper monitoring and ensuring that reclamation is made after mining,” he said.

The president, however, expressed optimism that with the government’s recent commitment to the mining sector, a renewed attention would be given and things would change positively. (NAN)
ATAB/ACO/OU

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Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-H-111
Protest

By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Hundreds of Abuja indigenes, on Thursday staged a protest for alleged constant intimidation, harassment and extortion by men and officers of the Nigerian Army.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the indigenes were at the FCTA to see the Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to lodge their complaints.

NAN reported that the indigenes also accused the Army of illegally claiming the title of Tungan Maje Community, Zuba, without valid title documents from constituted authority.

They equally alleged that the army disobeyed court orders issued against it from taking further action on the land.

NAN also recalled that the protest came few months after major controversy broke out over alleged Army takeover of premises of a construction firm, Karkaatar Engineering Limited, in Maitama District, Abuja.

The indigenes carrying placards with various inscriptions which includes, “Original inhabitants of the FCT are human beings that deserve respect ‘and ‘’Nigerian Army, leave our land’’

The spokesman of the protesters, Alhaji Jibrin Mamman, said that the area in dispute was known as Zuba 11in Gwagwalada Area Council.

According to him, it is designed and allocated to various individuals, companies and government institutions.

He said the organisations include Customary and Area Courts for the purpose of administration of justice within the community.

Mamman said that the disputed land accommodated Federal Road Safety Commission, Zuba office, Zuba Divisional Police Station and Federal College of Education, Zuba.

According to him, there are lot of business premises in the area, where people invested their hard-earned money and earning a living from.

Mamman noted that any attempt to illegally displace the people would render many homeless while crimes would be on the rise.

“We are here to complain. What we want to present to the minister is the act of declaring us illegal settlement. The army has started destroying our crops.

“That place is a very large land and there is a court injunction on the matter.

“Does it mean we have no courts and rule of law in this country, how can they declare us illegal occupants, When did we go to the military to rent the land.’’

The spokesman said that they had written a separate letter addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, dated Oct. 19, 2016.

Counsel to the indigenes, Mr I.Y.Melah said the action of the Army in serving a quit notice to the indigenes amounted to disobedience to court order and intimidation.

A Director in the Permanent Secretary’s office, Samuel Atang, who received the protesters on behalf of the minister, said that a committee was already working on the issue quietly.

According to him, we want to have heart to heart discussion to articulate the issue. The issue is being considered. (NAN)

KM/MO/OFN

Edited by Morayo Omolade// Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-120

Faith

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Buhari Media Support Group, a pressure organisation, has called on Nigerians to keep faith with President Muhammadu Buhari administration`s policies aimed at rejuvenating the nation’s economy.

The group made the call in a statement signed by Mr Muhammad Labo and Mr Cassidy Madueke, Coordinator and Secretary, respectively, on Thursday in Abuja.

The group, which was reacting to the recent rating of the Nigerian economy as the largest in Africa by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that the economy would be revamped.

“In the current assessment published by the IMF, it was acknowledged that Nigeria’s GDP stands at about 415 billion dollars as against South Africa’s which is presently at about $280 billion.’’

It said that the rating was an indication of Nigeria’s steady economic growth under Buhari, based on his administration’s diversification policy.

It expressed confidence that the president was leading Nigeria on the path of economic recovery.

According to it, this was testified to by the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Zhou Pingjian, who revealed that Chinese investors were struggling to invest in Nigeria.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to lend their support towards the realisation of the numerous economic and development policies already put in place by the Buhari administration.

“The policies on agriculture, solid minerals, oil and gas, job creation, security and overall revival of the economy had potentials to rejuvenate the economy and prosper the nation,’’ it said.

The group expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon witness significant improvement in their wellbeing with ongoing efforts to re-jig the economy. (NAN)

EEM/YETI/OPI

Edited by Yetunde Bada and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-DS-10
EFCC
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (2016)The Ibadan Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered N57.31 million in less than 10 months of its operation.

Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, said in a statement in Abuja that the Ibadan Zonal Office established in January 2016 was to serve as an impetus to the anti corruption campaign.

“It was also due to the resolve of the acting Executive Chairman, Ibrahim Magu to extend the anti graft war to the grassroots and to bring the commission closer to the people, ‘’ he said.

The spokesman said that within a few months of existence, the office had received over 200 petitions, out of which 123 were under investigation.

He urged members of the public and the media to support the efforts of the commission by reporting cases of corruption promptly.

“ We will forge ahead and diligently pursue all cases to ensure that justice is served accordingly,’’ he said. (NAN)
ATAB/MO/OJO
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(Edited by Morayo Omolade/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-102
Ejection
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court Lagos, has fixed Oct. 26, to hear a suit by officers of the Nigerian Police Force, against a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abubakar Aliyu, over ejection from premises.

The plaintiffs are: DCP Dasukid Galadanchi, DCP Emmanuel Odwong, DCP Mansur Mohammed, DCP Efunsola Sowemimo, DCP Eguae Udofia, DCP John Ekowhiro, ACP Dorathy Ikpen, and ACP Mary George.

Others include: ACP Iliyasu Kwabai, CSP Bose Akinyemi, CSP Dauda Koki-Lasisi, CSP Joy Agunlana, SP Edith Ozobia, SP Okon Obong, DSP Kikelomo Oshodi-Glover and DSP John Idoko.

Joined as first defendant is the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of the White Paper on the Commission of Enquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Property.

The second defendant is the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, while the third defendant is DCP Abubakar Aliyu.

The plaintiffs are challenging the harassment and threat of ejection by the third defendant, from their residence at 6A Ruxton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

They are also, seeking an order restraining them from further infringing on their rights.

In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/749/2016, the plaintiffs through their counsel, Mr I.A Idu, are praying the court for a declaration, that the plaintiffs are rightful owners of the property known as 6A Ruxton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs averred that sometimes in 2005, the Federal Government made a monetisation policy to afford public servants the opportunity to purchase their official residences.

They averred that the plaintiffs duly completed all forms indicating their interest to purchase the property.

According to the plaintiffs, sometime in 2014, before they could be issued offer letters by the first defendant in line with the guidelines, they were coerced by the third defendant to the Police Force Headquarters.
They averred that there, the third defendant misrepresented to them that the then Inspector General of Police, was interested in the said property, and so, they were compelled to sign alienation documents.

The plaintiffs averred that thereafter, the third defendant, using the name of a private venture: Abus Ventures, paid in some amount of monies into their respective accounts without their consent.

According to them, they subsequently received a Memo from the DC Works, FHQ Annex, ordering them to vacate the premises, within a seven-day ultimatum, since they had been paid consideration by the buyers.

They averred that their lives have been made “a living hell’’ as a result of constant harassment, intimidation and embarrassment by the third defendant.

They therefore, seek an order of court, restraining the defendant from alienating or transferring the said property to any third party other than the plaintiffs.

They also seek an order, directing the third defendant and his agents, to return the documents collected from the plaintiffs at the Police Force Headquarters, where they were deceived to sign documents against their will.

Besides, they want an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants from interfering with their title or possession of the said property.

At the last adjourned date on June 3, the trial Judge, Justice Rabiu Shagari, had issued an interim order, directing parties to maintain status quo, pending the hearing of the suit.

The Court had also ordered hearing notices to be served on the defendants.

Meanwhile, plaintiffs’ counsel has told the Court that in spite of pending court orders, the third defendant, disregarded same and forcefully, ejected the plaintiffs from their residence.

They further averred that agents of the defendants beat them and their children with crude implements, while they forcefully ejected them from the premises.

The Counsel to the plaintiffs, has therefore, filed before the Court, form 48, a notice of the consequences of disobedience to order of court.

In the notice, brought pursuant to the Sheriffs and Civil process Act, the plaintiffs informed the defendant that unless the orders of the Court are obeyed to the letter, a committal to prison for contempt may be imminent. (NAN)
UNS/FF/AJA
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(Edited by Olufela Fashoro/Adeleye Ajayi)

Miners association condemns illegal mining, seeks strict regulatory component
NAN-HE-29
Condemnation
Abuja, Oct.20, 2016 (NAN) The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Thursday condemned the activities of illegal miners in Nigeria and called for the enforcement of strict regulatory component to checkmate it.
Alhaji Sani Shehu, President of MAN who made the call in Abuja at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum, said the issue of illegal mining was a very big challenge worldwide.

“By definition, illegal mining should not be limited to those labourers that dig with digger and shovel.

“Anything that is outside the provision of the law, anything that one does that is outside the provision of the mineral and mining act is illegal.

“This includes the foreign firms that obtain exploration licence and ended up doing mining or obtain a small scale mining list that ended up in an underground mining with heavy equipment.

“This also includes a situation where most of the foreigners will go to a mining site and buy off whatever that is being mined competitively, therefore rendering the owner of the mining site to a disadvantaged position.

“So to me, illegal mining is supposed to be an all inclusive concept that is far beyond the digging with digger and shovel; I think that is the impression being generated

“The regulatory authority should be able to capture all components of illegal mining and tackle them appropriately.’’

Shehu said though the MAN did not have the power to arrest or prosecute offenders due to its limitations, it would do whatever was in its jurisdiction to checkmate the illegal mining.

The association would continue to sensitise miners, through the community leaders and its various chapters, by using local languages of the mining community to communicate with them.

The president said the enlightenment would be on the need for the labourers to see the dangers involved in illegal mining and on the advantage of doing it right.

He said this was because when mining was done the right way, the risk involved from the illegal operations would be reduced.
Shehu said this was because the labourers knew nothing or cared less for their safety health wise.

This was the case that led to the death of people in Zamfara from the lead poisoning when the association had to step up its campaign in seven states to sensitise people.

According to him, mining is an international business, thus there is need to curb illegal mining and mineral smuggling.

He said the association would cooperate with the government to proffer an effective strategy to monitor mineral movements at the borders.

He said even though Nigeria’s borders were porous, there were partnerships and information on suspicious movement between towns and would be narrowed.

“Why I said that is because our members are everywhere from here to the borders of Gembu in Cameroun, and from here to Bakassi border and everywhere other borders.

“So I think the operations will be more effective and with the collaboration of the ministry, the association and the Civil Defence Corps, since the three organsiations have offices every where, it would be achieved. (NAN)
ATAB/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-115
Results
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government has announced the release of Basic Education Certification Examination (BECE) results for public and private schools in the state.

A statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, directed all schools to collect their results from their respective Local Inspector of Education (LIE) offices across the state.

“We released the BECE results on Monday and consequently directed schools to collect their results from LIE offices across the state.

“We are surprised at the rumour going round that the government refused to release the results.

“We urge those peddling the rumour to desist from such and we appeal to them to join hands with the government to achieve desirable results in the on-going reform of the education sector,” he said.

He said that government would not relent in its efforts to reform the education sector in order to improve the quality of input and output. (NAN)
TAA/ACO/OJO
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(Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Mufutau Ojo)

FG to assist drive Benin monarch’s empowerment scheme-Buhari
NAN-H-107
Empowerment
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, Oct. 20, 2016(NAN)President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, of Federal Government’s support in his poverty alleviation and youth empowerment scheme.

Buhari gave the assurance on Thursday in Benin at the coronation of Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as Oba Ewuare II.

Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari said the coronation was not just a celebration of culture and tradition, but a show of obligation by the monarch to protect the well-being of his people.

Buhari, who paid glowing tribute to the transited Oba Erediauwa, described him as the most principled and forthright Nigerian he had ever met.

He expressed optimism that the new monarch, with his wealth of experience, “schooled in the art of tradition and customs, with his exposure as an ambassador and in the business world, had been well prepared for the task ahead.’’

Buhari also congratulated Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo for having the rare privilege to have presented staff of office to a Benin monarch.

Earlier, the monarch called on the Federal Government to support his empowerment scheme for the people of Edo, saying that the rate of delinquency in our society had become alarming.

Oba Ewuare also announced the establishment of a N10 million trust fund,  `Oba Erediauwa Lecture Series’ in honour of his transited father, Erediauwa, to promote excellence in research, oration and Bini language.

The monarch appealed to relevant government agencies to include the Edo language in school curriculum, saying the people were fast “losing the essence of our unique language that had remained the unifying factor.’’

Ewuare said his palace would partner stakeholders to promote agro-business in the seven local government area councils in Edo South.

Ewuare, who properly traced the obaship reign to the time of Oronmiyan, disclosed that he had become the 40th Oba and not the 39th as erroneously being reported. (NAN)
KOO/OU/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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NAN-AE-12
Conflicts
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Peace between farmers and pastoralists can produce a gain of up to $13.7 billion annually bringing economic progress for Nigeria, a study has said.
Patrick Okigbo, a conflict resolution expert, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a dialogue with herders and farmers at Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR)
Okigbo, who is also the Principal Partner, Nextier Advisory quoted a study by Mercy Corps, which claims an average of 47 per cent loss in taxes in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria.
“On the other hand, peace between farmers and pastoralists, can produce a gain of up to 13.7 billion dollars annually in total macroeconomic progress.’’
According to him conflicts are typically over scarce economic resources.
“There is a risk that they will be comingled with the volatile political under-currents across various regions in Nigeria to trigger a different type of conflict.
“These conflicts have direct costs on market development and economic growth by eroding trust among market actors, destroying productive assets, preventing trade, and deterring investment.
“We look at it from the economic point of view and these conflicts have a direct cost on market development and economic.’’

According to him, failure to conclusively address these security and terrorism challenges will mean that more resources will be spent on defence and security, and less resources on other economic sectors.

The expert, who expressed concern on the unnecessary losses incurred by the nation due to conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, said that there was need for stakeholders to engage in peace talk constantly.

Okigbo said if there were traditionally conflicts between the farmers and the herders, the nation always suffers major economic loses than political.

He said conflicts which resulted into avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property worth million of naira also impacted negatively on the economic stability of the country.

The General Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, said necessary mechanisms should put in place to address the root causes of the conflicts.

Ngelzarma stressed the need for the stakeholders to meet and have reconciliation committee comprising religious heads, community heads, farmers, cattle breeder and security officers.

He called for harmonisation of several resolutions made at different fora on conflicts resolution.

“A lot of resolutions have been made but implementation is lacking, the only thing remaining is to harmonise those resolutions and implement them.

“Let’s have peace and conflict resolution committee that could be meeting all the time that will try to solve the problem as they come,” he said.

Mr Salisu Naibi, a representative of farmers at the occasion, also toed the line of Ngelzarma in addressing conflict between the farmers and herdsmen.

Naibi stressed the need to involve leaders of community in addressing conflicts between herders and farmers.(NAN)
IAA/ADA/AFA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Felix Ajide
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