Blog

FG tasked on the evils inherent in human trafficking
NAN-F-9
Trafficking
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Olonma Okezieokafor, the prize winner of the essay on Human Trafficking has urged the Federal Government (FG) to use various mediums to sensitise  the public on the evil of human trafficking in states.

Okezieokafor disclosed this the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, to commemorate the EU Human Trafficking Day.

NAN reports that Okezieokafor, a 13 year old SS1 Student from Word of Faith Academy Abuja, emerged winner of the essay competition organised by EU with the topic; human trafficking.

She said she was privileged to reside in the cities, and that it was due to the kind of initiatives bodies like the EU, NAPTIM, UNODC and others organises are engaged in.

“They have showed commitment in addressing the menace of trafficking in the cities, but the rural children are lagging behind in knowledge, so I appeal to the FG and other private bodies to reach out to the people in such hard to reach areas in the states.

“They should use any medium of communication to drive the message, especially in their local dialect to address the topic of human trafficking in the country,’’ she said.
She also explained that it was the knowledge she acquired that she used to win the essay,in line with her dreams.

“I appeal to the government to take care of  victims of human trafficking, widows and children including victims of human trafficking.
“And also create a vocational centre  where different trades could be empowered for training their children,’’ Okezieokafor said.

Hadi Hauwa,who came second in the competition from GSS Gwarimpa, who is 16 year old in SS 3, told NAN that the effort made by the EU was vital in educating school children on human trafficking.

“It is an opportunity for me and am glad I participated in the essay competition and would want to appreciate all the people who supported me.
“Especially my English teacher who saw me through.

“Human trafficking as we all know is the recruitment, transfer and abhorring of persons by means of threat or force or other forms of abduction for the purpose of exploitation,’’ she added. (NAN)
(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Seed
Dutse, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Government has directed the state Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) to provide farmers with improved wheat seeds for dry season farming.

The Information Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malam Wada’u Sulaiman, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Dutse.

Sulaiman said that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Kabiru Ali, issued the directive to JASCO at a stakeholders meeting involving Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and managers of commercial banks in the state.

Sulaiman said that more than 80,000 farmers were targeted to participate in the CBN’s Anchor borrower rice and wheat farming programme in the state.

He added that the ministry has set up a project monitoring team to supervise the anchor farming programme in order ensure proper implementation as well as bumper harvest.

According to him, the commissioner appreciated the efforts of the apex bank and other commercial banks for enabling the participating farmers had easy Bank Accounts opening and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).

Sulaiman said that the CBN controller in the state, Danjuma Muhammad, who was represented by Babangida Dino, directed commercial banks to submit their request to the bank for the immediate commencement of the programme.

Also speaking, the representative of Flour Millers in the state, Alhaji Saidu Zaraki, called on the state government to provide harvesting machines that will assist farmers to produce clean and hygienic seeds. (NAN)
MNB/YMU/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-71
Disparity
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) To end the disparity between polytechnic and university graduates, the Federal Government will soon introduce a National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF).

Dr Margaret Ladipo, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), announced the plan at the 30th pre-convocation news briefing on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ladipo said that the framework was still being formulated by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and would be adopted as soon as the paper work was completed.

With the framework in place, she said polytechnic graduates would write an examination which would place them at par with their counterparts in the university.

“The Federal Government is working on the framework, the unions are also working on it and very soon, everything will be okay.

“If you go to developed countries, the framework is the way to end disparity between the HND and B.Sc.

“It is all about competency in education and on the job.

“Once you are skilled, if you have HND, by the time you take the NVQF examination and if you are more skilled than the person with the B.Sc., you are better,’’ she said.

The rector said that without skilled manpower, no country could develop.

According to her, developed countries are also addressing the need to have skilled manpower to drive their industries.

“The disparity will eventually be removed and there will be no problem again.

“For lecturers, they are not happy about the disparity because they are all parents and want the disparity to be removed.

“I want to assure that the only way it can be removed is to embrace skills acquisition.

“YABATECH is a centre for the United Nations Entrepreneur and Vocational Centre (UNEVOC) established to improve the skills of our youths.

“When our graduates pass through the centre, they do not have to look for white collar jobs,’’ Ladipo said.

Speaking on the upgrade of YABATECH to a degree awarding institution, the rector said the process was ongoing.

She added that a committee had visited the college to assess the facilities and staff strength.

The rector said that the college had also improved on its manpower, noting that many of the lecturers were PhD and Masters Degree holders. (NAN)
OOG/AIB/OJO
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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Mufutau Ojo)

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Marriage
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christopher Thornley, says his home government is committed to ending child, early, and forced marriages in Nigeria.

Thornley made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja at a reception to mark the official opening of “Girls’ Voices: Speaking Out Against Child Marriage.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is visual exhibition highlighting global ssue of child, early and forced marriages.

The envoy, who noted that the impacts of the practice were profound and far-reaching, said that the Canadian Government had invested finacially in addressing the challenge in Nigeria

He descsribed child marriage as “violation of girls’ rights which disrupted their access to education, jeopardised their health and makes them vulnerable to violence.’’

“We are pleased that ending child marriage by 2030 is one of the Sustainable Development Goals; a goal that Canada is making concrete contributions to achieve.

“Since October 2013, Canada has invested over 80 million dollars in targeted funding to prevent child, early, and forced marriages.

“In Nigeria, we are investing three million dollars with Save the Children and 3.5 million dollars with UNFPA.

“We are also funding small projects with Girls Voices Initiative and the African Social and Development Foundation,” Thornley said.

The envoy pointed out that though these and other projects were making a difference, there was still so much to do.

In her remarks, Mrs Aisha Alhassan the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development said that child marriage was endemic in Nigeria.

She said that 45 per cent of girls were married off at the age of 15.

She said that her ministry was collaborating with other ministries and civil society organisations to put an end to child marriage.

“The roadmap for ending child marriage has been developed and is being implemented,” she said, adding that early and forced marriages of young girls affected their education.

The minister listed some of the causes of child marriage to include: poverty, cultural traditions, and religious laws that allowed child marriage.

According to her, other causes include social pressures, regional customs, fear of remaining unmarried, illiteracy and perceived inability of women to earn money.

While commending the Canadian Government for its efforts in addressing the problem, Alhassan said that her ministry was also collaborating with relevant stakeholders, to champion the “End Child Marriage Campaign.” (NAN)

IAA/ORO/AEA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Archibong Asuquo

Insecurity: 1,606 children to miss immunisation in Jigawa – Scribe

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Immunisation

By Mustapha Sumaila
Dutse, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 1,606 children would miss out in the ongoing immunisation exercise against polio in six communities of Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa due to insecurity.

The Executive Secretary of the state Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Kabir Ibrahim, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen on Wednesday in Dutse.

Ibrahim said that the chairman of the local council had informed his agency during a stakeholders meeting that the residents of the communities fled the area because of incessant kidnappings in the affected communities.

He explained that 341 children had been targeted to be vaccinated in Masango village, 345 in Funtua, 228 in Limidabo, 312 in Lafiya, 200 in Ruwakhali Garil and 180 in Ruwa Khali Fulani.

However, Ibrahim assured that measures will be taken to immunise those children where vaccination did not place in their communities.

Ibrahim disclosed that stakeholders meeting would be convened to fix date for “hit and run” exercise to ensuring that every child in the state was immunised.

The scribe said that when they were set to conduct vaccination in such communities, the agency would mobilise a large team of vaccinators to do it within a short period of time.

He added that security agencies would be involved during a make up to ensure a hitch free exercise in the areas.

Ibrahim said that the state had targeted 1.6 million children for October round of immunisation across the state. (NAN)
MS/ORO/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Police organise workshop for SARS personnel in Adamawa

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Workshop
By Yakubu Uba
Yola, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Zone 3 Police Command, Yola, has commenced a three-day workshop for officers and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba states.

Declaring the workshop open in Yola on Wednesday, the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of the zone , Mr Usman Tilli, said the training was part of strategy by the new Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to strengthen the force.

Tilli also said that the workshop was to enhance the performance of officers and men of the squad and remind them of the need to be professional and always show respect for human rights.

“The aim of this workshop is to enhance the performance capacity of the officers and men of this integral organ of the Nigeria Police Force,

“ So as to remind them of the need to be professional while on duty or operations, to respect the fundamental human rights of the citizens and the need for partnership with members of the public to make Nigeria safe and secure,” he said.

The AIG urged the participants to pay adequate attention to the lectures to be delivered at the workshop.

He said the workshop would hold across the 12 police zones in the country. (NAN)
YMU/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Reject substandard products, SON advises Nigerians

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Products
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mr Osita Aboloma, the Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has called on Nigerians to reject substandard products because they constitute danger to the economy.

According to a statement from the SON Public Relations Office,  Aboloma made the call when some members of the Steel Manufacturers Group paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.

Aboloma said his mission at SON was to ensure compliance to standards, safety and quality of products.

He said it was expected that all businesses in Nigeria must conform to the tenets of standards.

“The diversification to non-oil is a fulcrum for industries to strive to be at their best as the nation will depend more on the manufacturing sector for the economy to boom.

Government policies are meant to protect local manufacturers from unhealthy competition to ensure sustainable development.

The director-general urged the rroup to embrace the change message by doing the right things at all times and to also comply with SON standards.

One of the organisation’s goals is to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria without compromising standards.

Though the SON 2015 Act gives it adequate powers to enforce standards, there is need to work together through understanding and cooperation, he said.

He said standards built trust and Nigerians would trust them once they complied with standards.

The leader of the group, Mr. Sunnil Goel, said the members had come to felicitate with him and intimate him of the challenges confronting them.

Goel lamented the current economic situation which affecting the the group negatively.

He pledged support and willingness to work with SON with to achiev the objectives and vision of the organisation. (NAN)
LCN/COF/IA
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Idris Abdulrahman)

Gov. Aregbesola inaugurates N37m government school

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Education

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, on Wednesday inaugurated the Ojo/Aro Community Government Middle and High School in Egbedore Local Government Area, built at the cost of N37 million.

He said that government’s massive renovation of public schools was aimed at redressing infrastructural deficits in public schools.

Aregbesola said that the newly built ultra-modern school was part of his administration’s resolve to bequeath quality education.‎

“This is the continuation of our commitment to standard education. To us, education remains our priority and as a matter of fact, this government has invested hugely on this.

“Our belief is that with well-equipped academic teaching and learning environment, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities, the state is on the right path to success.”

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, said the state government was committed to functional and qualitative education.‎‎

“This project is an attestation to the fact that our state is blessed with a governor whose focus is to turn around the lives of the citizens.” (NAN)

VE/JEO/OU

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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-DS-9
Security
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has pledged additional support to make the police more effective and result-oriented in tackling crime.

Ajimobi made the pledge on Wednesday in Ibadan while receiving Dan Bature,  the new Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in Charge of Zone 11.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Zone 11 of the Nigeria Police comprises Oyo, Osun and Ondo states.

He said the state had hinged its development strides on a pyramid built around adequate security and safety of the citizenry and businesses.

The governor said that a joint task force was constituted to tackle the challenges of security in the state, adding that this had resulted in peace in the state.

“We have had four Commissioners of Police here in the last four years and all of them have performed well. I am confident that AIG Bature would do well.

“He is a professional to the core and an accomplished police man. You have just assumed duty at a zone that comprises the core Yoruba states.

“Oyo is one of the safest in the country. Let me assure you that all those who have worked in this zone left here for greater heights,” he said.

Bature had earlier said that he assumed duty in the zone three months ago and his visit was part of the familiarisation tour of the commands under his control.

He added that he had heard about the tremendous support of the governor in ensuring security in the state.

“The police hierarchy in the country is appreciative of the peaceful atmosphere entrenched in the state by your administration.

“Development thrives where there is security and peace. We have the responsibility of protecting lives and businesses and we won’t relent in giving our best,” he said.

NAN reports that Bature was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sam Adegbuyi. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-HE-24
Shares
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct.19, 2016 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, for the third consecutive day, remained on a negative trend with indices dropping by 0.28 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the volume of shares traded declining by 46.87 per cent.

NAN also reports that the market capitalisation dropped further by N26 billion or 0.28 per cent to close at N9.438 trillion against N9.464 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Also, the All-Share Index, which opened at 27,555.31, shed 77.27 points or 0.28 per cent to close at 27,478.04 as a result of price loses.

Total recorded the highest price loss to lead the laggards’ chart, shedding N13.97 to close at N290 per share.

It was followed by Forte Oil which lost N10.57 to close at N127.30, while Ashaka Cement dipped N1.46 to close at N13.57 per share.

The International Breweries dropped 99k to close at N19 and Glaxosmithkline depreciated by 83k to close at N15.78 per share.

Conversely, Stanbic IBTC led the gainers’ table, growing by 50k to close at N17 per share.

NAN reports that CAP also appreciated by 50k to close at N33.75 per share and Lafarge Africa rose by 30k to close at N43 per share.

Flour Mills increased by 23k to close at N20 and Vitafoam advanced by 3k to close at N2.58 per share.

NAN reports that the liquidity challenge was taking toll on the volume and value of shares traded as investors staked N592.52 million on 81.91 million shares achieved in 2,520 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 154.16 million shares valued at N1.62 billion transacted in 2,510 deals on Tuesday.

FCMB Group was investors’ delight, exchanging 16.44 million shares worth N18.04 million.

Transcorp came second with 8.57 million shares valued at N8.52 million, while United Capital sold 7.65 million shares worth N19.79 million.

The United Bank for Africa exchanged 7.02 million shares valued at N29.52 million, while Fidelity Bank accounted for 6.11 million shares worth N5.20 million. (NAN)
JNC/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye