Blog

NAN-ELS-3
Criticism
By Babajide Awoyinfa
Lagos, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) One of the nation’s upcoming entertainers, Simisola Ogunleye, popularly known as “Simi’’, says that criticism from fans has made her to improve on her career as a musician.

Simi, who made her mark with hit tracks like “Love don’t care’’ and “JAMB Question’’ told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that she even thrived under negative criticisms.

“Some people go out of their way to be cruel, they don’t even know you; they just feel the need to be mean because it’s their constitutional right.

“I’ve been feeling quite grumpy and a bit moody all evening. But I just saw this message a fan wrote and it made me to feel so much better.

“This is why I wake up every day, eager to write another song, make another record. And this is why I don’t go to bed until 3 a.m. most nights.
“I have learnt to grow and be better. This is why I still drag myself to the studio even when I’m ill.

“It’s because of the beautiful souls out there who can feel what I’m trying to tell them, or show them through my music that has made me to improve.

She added that she would not be stifled by a handful of negative individuals and thanked those who had encouraged her through their messages on her social media timeline.

“For those that show me love and those that criticise me without spite, I love you. Thank you for being part of the reason for my growth. I don’t take you for granted.

“I love you all, I don’t even get mad. I’m too busy getting ready for bigger projects in life. (NAN)
BAG/ERO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)

Court adjourns land suit against Kuje Area Council till Oct. 30

NAN -H-49

Land

Abuja, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Justice Mamman Kolo of the FCT High Court Wuse, on Thursday adjourned hearing in a land suit filed against Kuje Area Council till Oct.  30.

Mariola Investment Limited, had filed a suit against the Kuje Area Council for allocating a land that was in dispute to the company.

The company through its counsel, Mr Emmanuel Edibe, informed the court that the land was allocated to them by the defendant.

He said sometime in 2014, the company started to build an estate on the land after signing a memorandum of understanding and obtaining a power of attorney.

He told the court that as construction progressed, some people came and destroyed all the work that had been done.

Edibe informed the court that his client lost a lot of money, equipment worth millions and most of its foreign personnel.

The defendant was not in court, while the judge  ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendant before the next adjourned date.

(NAN)
UMD/HAS/OU
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-F-20
Change
Tehran, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Iran President, Hassan Rowhani, on Thursday said that the country needed political change in order to trade effectively with the rest of the world.

“In the past few years we have had global Iranophobia, which we need to get rid of in order to make business with foreign countries possible,’’ Rowhani said.

He said that the need for international partnership was arrived at after a meeting with foreign and domestic traders.

The president cited this damaging sentiment as a reason for his government’s moves to mend Iran’s relations with international partners.

In July 2015, Iran struck a deal with global powers to lift sanctions in return for curbing its nuclear capabilities.

Political hardliners in Tehran have called for scrapping of the agreement, in an attempt to undermine the moderate leader, who is seeking re-election in May.

Rowhani said that no country could expect economic success without opening up to the outside world.

He said his critics, who claimed he made too made compromises in brokering the nuclear deal should return to the 21st century. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AMY
Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

1,500 arrested in Ethiopia’s state of emergency
NAN-F-19
Arrest
Addis Ababa, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Ethiopia has arrested more than 1,500 people under a state of emergency declared nearly two weeks ago to stop anti-government riots, a report said on Thursday.

The command post set up to oversee the state of emergency said most of the arrests were made in restive Oromia region, which includes Addis Ababa.

“Bandits are surrendering in great numbers, the command post has continued hunting down the remaining culprits,’’ the task force said.

Security forces also recovered hundreds of weapons that had been looted from them, according to the report.

Officials earlier said that 1,000 people had been arrested in Sebeta the state of emergency.

Oromia, which is home to Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, has seen repeated flare-ups of anti-government protests since late last year.

The latest spate of rioting follows the deaths of more than 50 people in a stampede sparked by police attempts to disperse protesters at an Oromo religious festival on Oct. 2.

Demonstrators later attacked factories, vehicles and company premises.

The government subsequently declared a state of emergency on Oct. 8.

Human rights activists accuse the government of brutally repressing protests staged by the Oromo, who feel excluded from political and economic power.
(dpa/NAN)
OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-25
Media
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Niger State Command, has called on the media to help sensitise motorists to adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations.

Suzan Ajenge, Sector Commander in the state, made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Thursday.

Ajenge urged media organisations in the state to come out with more programmes that would educate road users on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations.

She said that Nigerian drivers, particularly operators of articulated vehicles, must be properly sensitised on the danger of parking their trucks recklessly on the highways.

“It has become expedient to solicit the support of the mass media in creating awareness on the need for road users to always obey road signs and learn to accommodate others,’’ he said.

Ajenge said that the FRSC would also continue to seek the support of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the sensitisation efforts.

She noted that the union must be able to mobilise its members to obey traffic rules so as to prevent road crashes. (NAN)
AAG/BOLA/SOA
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-22
EFCC
By Akeem Abass
Ibadan, Oct. 20, 2016(NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, says it has recovered over N57 million from suspected fraudsters in nine months in the zone.

Mr Akaninyene Ezima‎, the EFCC zonal officer, told newsmen in Ibadan that 80 suspects were arrested within the period, and eight of them were already facing trials.

“We received over 200 petitions out of which 123 are under investigations.

“Eighty suspects were arrested in the course of investigation out of which eight are already in courts.

“These figures indicate a steady progression ‎in our activities and a commitment to the commission’s mandate,” Ezima‎ said.

He said that activities of the commission were not limited to official corruption cases.

The EFCC officer said that the commission was at advanced stage in the investigation of some advance fee fraud cases and other financial crimes.

“Our optimism is informed by the new practice directive by the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the expeditious handling of corrupt cases in court.

“We strongly hope that before the end of the year, the Ibadan Zonal Office will have a number of convictions,” Ezima‎ said.

He said that the biggest challenge of the commission was lack of information from the public.

Ezima, therefore, appealed to the public to provide adequate information to the anti-graft agency, promising that such would be treated with great confidentiality and respect.

He said that petitions and complaint should be forwarded to – info@efccnigeria.org; twitter handle @officialefcc of the facebook page.

Ezima said the public could also reach the Ibadan office on 08113883322 and 09030000520. (NAN)
TAA/ENN/GOK
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Olagoke Olatoye

By Ayodeji Alabi
NAN-H-23
Law
Akure, Oct.20, 2016 (NAN) Three bills passed through second reading to the relevant committees for screening on Thursday in Akure, during a plenary session of the State House of Assembly.

The bills are: Amendment to Ondo State 2016 Appropriation; and establishment of Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency.

The third bill was seeking for a law to make provision for the establishment of the Ondo State Urban Water Sector, Ondo State Water Corporation, and Ondo State Regulatory Commission.

The session was presided over by the speaker, Mrs Jumoke Akindele, who passed the bills to second reading and subsequently relevant committees for thorough screening, after unanimous votes of support by the members.

Earlier, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, majority leader and member representing Ondo West 2 Constituency, moved the motion to pass the three bills to second reading.

A member representing Okitipupa 1 Constituency, Mr Sola Ebiwonjumi, seconded the motion to pass the amended Appropriation Law Bill to second reading.

A member representing Akure South 1 Constituency, Mrs Kemisola Adesanya, moved the motion to pass the bill to the House committee on Finance and Appropriation for necessary scrutiny.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Fatai Olotu, a member representing Akoko North East Constituency, seconded the motion to pass the bill to the relevant committee for appropriate screening.

A member representing Ose Constituency, Mr Oluyede Olusola, seconded the motion to pass the bill for the establishment of Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency to second reading.

A member representing Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Constituency, Mr Abimbola Fajolu moved the motion to pass the bill to the Committee on Public Utilities and Transport.

A member representing Irele Constituency, Mr Olusegun Ajimotokin , seconded the motion to pass the bill to the appropriate committee for necessary action.

A member representing Ondo West 1 Constituency, Mr Adeniyi Adeniji, seconded the motion to pass the bill for establishment of the Ondo State Urban Water Sector, Ondo State Water Corporation, and Ondo State Regulatory Commission, to second reading.

A member representing Okitipupa 1 Constituency, Mr Sola Ebiwonjumi, moved the motion to pass the bill to the Committee on Public Utilities and Transport.

A member representing Akoko North West 2 Constituency, Mr Olugbenga Araoyinbo, seconded the motion to pass the bill to the relevant committee for appropriate screening. (NAN)
AYO/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

147 people killed in 9 months in Niger – FRSC

NAN-DS-5

Crashes

By Aminu Garko

Minna, Oct. 20, 2016 ( NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger Command, said 147 people were killed and 915 injured in 361 road crashes in the state between January and September.

The FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs Susan Ajenge, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Thursday.

Ajenge said 74 of the accidents were fatal, while 265 were serious and 22 were minor road traffic crashes.

She also said that 23,096 drivers were arrested and made to pay fines for various traffic offences across the state.

The sector commander said the offences included overloading, speeding, using bad tyres, dangerous overtaking as well as underage persons on the wheel.

“We will do everything humanly possible to reduce road crashes through intensive public enlightenment,’’ she said.

She called on motorists to cooperate with the corps in its efforts to make Nigerian roads accident-free. (NAN)
AAG/FF/AMY

Edited by Fela Fashoro and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-20
Trends
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Google says a rising anxiety on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is popular on Google search this week.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Anglophone West Africa made the announcement in Lagos on Thursday.

He said the search on NYSC was trending from Oct. 12 to Oct. 19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Google Trends, launched in May, 2006 allows one to see how popular search terms and their demography have been over time on Google.
“Google search for the NYSC hiked up when the agency announced its plans to mobilise only 35 per cent of eligible graduates for the next batch of the 2016 Batch B orientation.

“NYSC says some graduates will not be called `Otondo’ due to a lack of funds,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.

`Otondo’ is a slang used to refer to corps members, who are not able to keep up with daily physical exercises during the orientation period.

The Google spokesman said that the release of 21 Chibok girls to the safe arms of their parents was also trending in the week.

“It was a tearful and joyful reunion for the 21 abducted school girls, now known as `Chibok girls’ as they reunited with their parents this week

Kola-Ogunlade the girls, who were among some 276 girls abducted by the Islamic Boko Haram 30 months ago, began to trend once news of their release was reported in the media.

Not least on Google trends was Mrs Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady’s shocking revelation and a president’s humour.

“Mrs Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady frustrations, which were displayed in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, revealed that the president’s administration was in the hands of a `few people’.

“In the interview she disclosed that she will not be campaigning for Buhari’s re-election in 2019, unless he shakes up his cabinet.

“The president’s humorous response that `she belongs to my kitchen, my living room and the other room’, ended up attracting lots of attention,’’ the Google chief stated.

He said that the Swedish Academy also gave a surprising shock to book lovers by awarding this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature to American 75-year-old folklorist and singer, Bob Dylan.

The spokesman said that many days after the prize was awarded, the academy reported that they were unable to reach Papi Bob.

Kola-Ogunlade said a music alert, a new song called “Diana”, released by Tekno, also trended in the week.

“The crooner who offered to give his baby “Big Cassava” in the hit song “Pana”, released a song called, `Diana’.

“ This time, the singer wants to dance for Diana, take her away and give her an updated love in his song co-produced by Selebobo and Kribeatz.’’

According to Kola-Ogunlade, other trending searches for the week are the “No Bra Day” which trended on social media to raise awareness on breast cancer.
“Similarly, the death of America’s Tommy Ford, the shooting to death of Olympic sprinter, Tyson Gay’s teenage daughter were also trending,’’ he said. (NAN)
CAN/COF/SN
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Silas Nwoha

NAN-H-51
Salaries
Lafia, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Organised Labour in Nasarawa State has rejected the payment of workers’ salaries in percentages by the state government.

Mr Yusuf Sarki-Iya, the Auditor of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and spokesperson for the state Public Joint Negotiating Council, announced the workers’ decision immediately after a meeting  in Lafia on Thursday.

He said the meeting was aimed at briefing the State Executive Council and Administrative Council members on the recent development in respect of the payment of workers in the state.

Sarki-Iya  added that it was to keep them informed about the efforts of the labour leadership was making since last week that workers received their September salaries in percentage.

He explained that the union totally rejected ercentage payment of workers’ salaries as well as non-payment of their July and August salaries by the government.

“We have already reported the new development to our national headquarters and they have promised to meet and table the matter to the Minister of Labour and (National) Human Rights Commission.

“Both the union and the state government had agreed to maintain status quo pending the outcome of the work  of a committee set up at the instance of the Minister of Labour.

“While the committee is still working, the state government in its usual characteristics, violated their commitment by paying September salaries in percentage and refused to pay July and August salaries.

“The state government had written to Human Rights Commission and served the union on its commitment to pay full salaries pending the outcome of the investigation,”  Sarki-Iya added.

He, therefore, advised all workers in the state to remain calm, adding that the union would not relent in the struggle for their welfare till victory was achieved.

However, the State Head of Civil Service, Mr Joseph Anchour, said both political appointees and civil servants  received 66 per cent salary after deducting first line charge.

He added that in spite of the government’s open door approach, some labour leaders had deliberately decided to misrepresent what transpired at their last meeting before the September salaries were paid.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Labour and the government in Nasarawa State have been at loggerheads over the payment of workers’ salaries since July.

Following the disagreements, the workers embarked on an indefinite strike on July 4 and during a protest march, two workers died and the workers accused  the government being responsible.

The crisis had led to the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the National Human Rights Commission. (NAN)
SDJ/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie