Blog

NAN-HE-24
Listing
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Wednesday said it was ready to work with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to ensure listing of its members on the nation’s bourse.

Dr Frank Jacobs, MAN President, said this in Lagos when fielding questions from journalists after sounding the closing bell on the NSE.

Jacobs said that three of its members were already working with NSE to list their shares in the market.

“During our Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently, the Exchange made a presentation on the benefits of listing on NSE and presently, three of our members are already working with NSE to list on the market.’’

He said that the association would sensitise its members on the need to seek listing on the exchange.

Jacobs said that the exchange offered a lot of opportunities for listed manufacturing companies to grow.

“There is a big opportunity for manufacturing companies listed on the NSE.

“With our economy in recession, if there is anything anybody can do to get us out of recession, the person should do it.’’

Jacobs explained that the association’s collaboration with the Exchange would boost the manufacturing sector and the economy at large.

He described the Exchange as a window that would enable members tackle funding challenges with access to fresh capital through quotation.

“We see NSE as a window that is available to our members to take care of their major challenges which is access to funds.

“We believe that by collaborating with NSE, members will be able to either list into the stock exchange and when they do, will be able to raise some capital.

“I believe that our collaboration with the NSE will help us grow the manufacturing sector which in turn will grow the economy and this is how we can get out of recession.’’

On the Naira exchange rate, he said that the association was happy that it was coming down gradually.

He said that access to foreign exchange was worsened by drop in oil price at the international market and the activities of militants in the Niger-Delta.

He said that the development had affected the country’s foreign reserve.

Jacobs said that government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were trying their best to grow the economy in spite of the challenges.

He said that the association was working with the apex bank on the way forward to difficulties being faced by the real sector. (NAN)
JNC/MO/YAZ

Edited by Morayo Omolade/Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-82

Inauguration

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, on Wednesday inaugurated a witness support unit to assist witnesses go into the court composed and in right frame of mind.

Bello said that the aim of the unit was to prepare a witness before mounting witness box to to testify.

He unit being inaugurated was in collaboration with Prisoners Rehabilitations and Work Action (PRAWA).

PRAWA is a non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting Security, Justice and Development in Africa. It was established in 1994.

The chief judge said it became necessary to enhance the speedy dispensation of justice in the FCT courts in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015

The Executive Director of PRAWA, Mr Yinka Lawal, said the witness support unit was borne out of consultation with people to fill the gaps identified in the Act.

In another development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also donated some books to the FCT High Court Judiciary Research Centre.

Mr Polleak Serei, Project Coordinator, Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria of UNODC, said the books were merely judiciary books.

Serei said the books would assist the judiciary in its fight against corruption and criminality.

Meanwhile, Bello has presented a manual on “sentencing guidelines and practice directions” for FCT courts.

He said the manual would guide guide judges and magistrates in FCT courts on sentencing on criminal matters before them. (NAN)

NEO/ORO/OFN

Edited by Razak Owolabi// Felix

AEPB warns contractors against violation of agreement

NAN-AE-17
Agreement
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has warned that any environmental contractor, who failed to provide safety equipment to its field staff, would be sanctioned.

Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, the Acting Director of the board, gave the warning on Wednesday, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, the board is strictly warning all the contractors not to violate contract agreement to ensure effective service delivery.

“We had an agreement with the environmental contractors and we mandated them to make sure that they abide by the agreement.

“They should ensure that the cleaners and other members of staff  are effectively kited with nose mask, proper uniform, and hand cloves so that they are protected from vehicles and dust.

“The agreement stands as it is and we want to make sure that they will not go against any of them,’’ she said.

Olanipekun also directed the contractors to ensure that FCT road cleaners make proper use of ‘Caution Sign-boards’ while cleaning the roads.

She said that the contractors were supposed to provide sign-boards to the road cleaners to be positioned at strategic points of the roads whenever they were working.

Olanipekun said the board had noticed that some of the cleaners were not making use of the sign-boards, saying it is importance for their safety from road traffic accidents.

The acting director said that the cleaning of each district and waste evacuation were being handled by 20 independent contractors.

Olanipekun added that the essence of employing contractors was to reduce the work load of AEPB whose sole responsibility was to monitor the activities of the independent contractors.

On the contrary, one of the road cleaners, who spoke under anonymity, told NAN that the contractors refused to provide them with caution sign-board.

She appealed to the AEPB to intervene into the issue to avoid casualties.

“Some of our colleagues have been killed while in active service because there was no caution sign-board to show that people were cleaning the expressway.

“It is a big challenge; the contractors who supposed to provide the road sign are not doing anything. We are risking our lives,” she said.

She said that they were doing the job due to high rate of unemployment and hardship in the country. (NAN)
VOE/JEO/AFA
Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Felix Ajide
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FMDQ OTC commences listing of short-term bonds to bridge funding gap

NAN-HE-23
Bonds
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange has announced plans to commence listing of Short-Term Bonds (STBs) to bridge the funding gap between short- and medium- to long-term debt instruments.

This was contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday and signed by Ms Kaodi  Ugoji, Vice President and Divisional Head, Strategy and Corporate Services.

She said the company was delighted to introduce STBs to the Nigerian fixed income market having received the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

STBs are essentially short-term debt instruments issued by corporate entities, for tenors of between one year and not exceeding three years.

They are designed to serve the liquidity needs of the medium to large creditworthy corporate and commercial entities by providing an alternative/competitive source of financing to bank loans.

Ugoji added that the STBs would support greater inclusion and participation of corporations in the Nigerian Debt Capital Market (DCM).

She said  STBs were beneficial to the DCM as they would boost the investment product bouquet for the buy-side (which comprise the Pension Fund Administrators), offshore investors and other market participants.

She also announced that SEC had approved the FMDQ Short-Term Bonds Registration Process and Listing Rules (STB Rules), which were developed in furtherance of FMDQ’s commitment to provide effective market regulation and governance for the markets under its purview.

The Vice President said the STB rules would serve as a guide to issuers, STB sponsors and the investing public, among others.

Ugoji  added that the rules outlined the governance structure for STB issuances and the procedure for the registration of prospective STB issuances.

She said FMDQ would serve as the Exchange through which the primary due diligence for all STB issuances should be conducted.

NAN reports that FMDQ, a securities exchange and self-regulatory organisation registered by SEC, provides a platform for listing, quoting and trading of fixed income and currency products. (NAN)
JNC/GOM/YAZ
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Edited by Gregory Maduakolam/Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-76
Bishop
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has congratulated Rev. Ademola Moradeyo, the Chairman, Oyo State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, on his elevation as Bishop-elect of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

The governor’s congratulatory message issued on Wednesday in Ibadan by Mr Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications and Strategy, said the elevation was a heart-warming.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Moradeyo is one of the six clergymen elevated to the episcopal rank across the country by the Electoral College of the Methodist Church.

“ It is noteworthy that your elevation came barely two months after you were appointed as Chairman of the State Pilgrim Welfare Board,’’ he said.

He said that this was a further attestation of Moradeyo’s piety and dedication to the propagation of the Christian faith.

“I am confident that your new status will afford you the opportunity to serve God and humanity at a higher level.

“I wish you a successful ministration as you take up the reins of office as Bishop of Ogbomoso Cathedral of the Methodist Church,” he said.

Moradeyo had expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing him as chairman of the pilgrims welfare board, saying this underscored Ajimobi’s power of discernment.

“This elevation as a Bishop-elect of Ogbomoso Diocese of Methodist Church in Oyo State will add a lot of value to my job as the chairman of the State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Christian Wing).

“It gives me more opportunities to leverage on the welfare of Christian pilgrims.

” My other colleagues (chairmen) in Lagos, Ogun and other states are of Bishop rank and now Oyo State will not be inferior to anyone.

“My appointment two months ago by the government was not only physically accepted but heavenly-ordained.

“ I thank the governor for his qualitative power of discernment to appoint me at the right time.”

NAN also reports that Moradeyo would  be consecrated on Nov. 13 at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Trinity Council, Tinubu Square, Lagos.

His investiture, he said, would take place at the Methodist Church, Ogbomoso Cathedral, in January, 2017.(NAN)
TAA/TO/OJO
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(Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Mufutau Ojo)

2018 World Cup qualifier: Gassama to officiate Nigeria, Algeria match

NAN-H-74

Referee 

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus 

Ilorin, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The world football governing body, FIFA, has appointed a Gambian, Bakary Papa Gassama as the referee for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Algeria.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF ), posted the appointment on its website on Wednesday.

The match scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, for Nov. 12  will see Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi as Assistant Referee 1, Marwa Range from Kenya as Assistant Referee 2.

”Gassama’s compatriot, Maudo Jallow is the fourth official, while Jean-Olivier Mbera from Gabon is the referee assessor.

”Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe is the Match Commissioner and Nicholas Chumba Musonye from Kenya is security officer.”  

Meanwhile, the NFF has won a protest it
launched following the release of the official match appointment, which set
the kick –off time at 5.30p.m.

”The information we sent to FIFA was that we wanted the match to start at
5p.m.; we were surprised when the match appointment was released and the kick–off time was set at 5.30p.m. 

”The NFF immediately protested and
eventually on Wednesday morning, FIFA agreed that the match will start at
5p.m.,” the statement quoted NFF’s
Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode. (NAN) 

BAY /OU/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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NAN-AE-16
Certification
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government would on Monday begin a state-wide certification of building plans to ensure that structures were in line with extant planning laws.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan by Mr Waheed Gbadamosi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Physical Planning and Environment.

The statement stated that a taskforce to rid the state of illegal petrol stations and other structures which had contravened extant planning laws would carry out the exercise.

It urged residents to ensure that their approved building plans were ready for certification.

The statement added that structures without approval would face the appropriate sanctions as specified in the statute books. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
=======
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-75

Felicitation

Benin, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The British Government has felicitated with the incoming Oba of Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, the Government and people of Edo.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright delivered the message when he visited Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo in Benin on Wednesday.

Arkwright said he was in the state with his wife Tricia to witness the coronation of Eheneden as the new Oba of Benin as well as convey the greetings of the Queen of England to the crown prince.

He said he had been in the country for one year as the British High Commissioner but was in the state for the first time.

He expressed the interest of the British Government to foster bilateral relationship with Edo.

He said his country was interested in what business British companies can venture into to curtail unemployment in the state and commended the achievements of outgoing Oshiomhole’s administration in the last eight years,.

Oshiomhole said the coronation was extremely important to the people hence the declaration of Thursday as public holiday in the state.

He also said Thursday would be the first time in the history of the state that an elected governor would be presenting a staff of office to an Oba.

He said Edo was one of the few states in the country where traditional stool was not in dispute, adding that every indigene has positive disposition to the event.

He further said that the state was keen on how to strengthen relationships and the need to be less dependent on revenue from oil by creating the enabling environment for investors.

Oshiomhole said it would be the pleasure of government to see how more investors could be attracted from UK to the state. (NAN)

DCO/IEA
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Edited by Idahosa Asowata
====================

NAN-H-72
Convocation
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH)  says it will grant Higher National Diploma and National Diploma to 7,102 students during the 2014/2015 convocation holding between Oct. 26 and Oct. 27.

The Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, made the disclosure in Lagos on Wednesday during the 30th pre-convocation news briefing.

Ladipo said the ceremony would be low keyed because of the economic realities of the country.

She said 40 graduating students in the HND Full-Time category bagged distinction, 489 bagged upper credit while 987 had lower credit.

The rector also said in the HND Part-Time category, eight students bagged distinction.

A further breakdown showed that in the National Diploma category, 132 had distinctions, 769 had upper credit while 852 got lower credit, with 376 awarded pass.

The rector said that a convocation lecture would be delivered by Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi, a financial and investment analyst, on `Technology as a Tool to Salvage the Current Economic Recession’ on Oct. 26.

Ladipo said the convocation of the successful students would hold on Oct. 27.

She expressed delight at the support the institution received from the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

“We now focus attention on the development of our annex campus at Odoragushin in Epe so that we can expand the capacity of the college.

“In times like these, we need the support of the private sector. YABATECH is a great brand.

“As the cradle of higher education in Nigeria, we have impacted positively on the technical and technological, even business environments in Nigeria to a great extent.

“At 69, we have paid our dues and things can only be better if corporate and industrial sectors contribute to the development of the institution through expansion of hostel facilities, classroom, studio and laboratory equipment,’’ she said. (NAN)
OOG/MNA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Expert advises contact lens users on proper hygiene
NAN-HG-10
Lens
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Ijeoma Agu, an Optometrist in Abuja, on Wednesday advised Nigerians wearing contact lenses on maintain proper hygiene to avoid eye infections.

Agu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses properly was necessary after each use.

According to her, contact lenses can be used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes depending on the doctor’s advice.

“Daily-wear lenses should never be worn as extended-wear lenses, misuse can lead to temporary and potentially sight threatening damage to the cornea.

“People who wear any type of lens overnight have a greater chance of developing infections of the cornea.

“These infections are often due to poor cleaning and lens care and improper over wearing of contact lenses can result in intolerance, leading to the inability to wear contact lenses,’’ Agu said.

She advised women with long nails to trim their nails to avoid any form of eye infection.

Agu said wearing of contact lenses do not have any harm on the eyes especially if individual seeks medical assistance before usage.

“The contact lenses do not melt as some envisage, the lenses are soft gels, if you don’t know how to wear, one needs to get proper tutelage from a professional.

“If the contact is not properly handled or if the long nails rubs on the cornea, there could be cornea liberation that could lead to blindness,’’’ she said.

Agu said most people who need vision correction can wear contact lenses.

“There are conditions that might keep one from wearing contact lenses such as frequent eye infections, severe allergies, dry eye, a work environment that is very dusty or dirty, inability to handle and care for the lenses properly,’’ she said.

Agu also warned against the fixing of eye lashes extension as false eyelashes are risky trap for dirt and bacteria.

“Natural eyelashes prevent dirt, foreign material, sweat and bacteria from entering into the eyes, by trapping and keeping out anything that comes near the eyes.

“But fake eyelashes tend to trap and hold anything that comes around them. These harmful particles that are trapped most times cause irritation to the eyelids and eyes,’’ she said.
Agu said the liquid used for fixing the eye lashes extension should be avoided, saying women should discontinue the practices. (NAN)
OEO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola