Blog

FIFA, CAF name Observers to NFF Elections 2018

Elections

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) World football –ruling body, FIFA on Monday named Messrs Luca Piazza and Solomon Mudege as its observers to Thursday’s elections into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee 2018-2022.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) repreports that Mudege is FIFA’s Senior Manager for Development Programmes (Africa), while Piazza is a senior official in the FIFA President’s office.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Monday, also said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) designated a member of its Executive Committee, Mr Sita Sangare, as its observer to the big event.

It said this was communicated through a letter addressed to the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi and signed by CAF Secretary General, Amr Fahmy,

Sangare, an Army Colonel, is also President of the Burkina Faso Football Federation.

Katsina town is already bubbling for the much –anticipated polls with the arrival on Monday of an advance team from the NFF Secretariat.

The NFF Electoral Committee put in place by the NFF Congress at the 2017 Annual General Assembly in Jos, which is headed by Mr Muhammed Sani Katu, will conduct the polls.

The committee has already cleared incumbent Amaju Pinnick, former Nigeria international and one –time NFF Secretary General Taiwo Ogunjobi, former NFF President Aminu Maigari and Chinedu Okoye to contest for the Presidency.

Incumbent Seyi Akinwunmi will vie with Sunday Dele-Ajayi for the 1st Vice President’s position, while Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah will oppose incumbent Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the slot of Chairman of Chairmen.

A total of 15 other persons will battle for the remaining eight available positions on the Executive Committee.

All 44 Members of the Nigeria Football Federation Congress will cast their votes on Thursday. A number of the voters will arrive in Katsina on Tuesday. (NAN)

VO/IA

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Former Head of State calls for intermodal transport for ports’ efficiency

Ports

By Aisha Cole

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) A former Head of State, Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Monday called for intermodal transportation system to improve cargo evacuation and the overall efficiency of the country’s ports.

Abubakar made the call at the first regional conference of the International African Ports and Harbour (IAPH) themed: “African Ports and Hinterland Connectivity,” in Abuja.

Abubakar, who chaired the conference, said ports investors should tap the opportunities in connecting the ports with the hinterlands through various means of transportation.

“We can now imagine African potential if there are visible means of transportation connecting the entire countries.

“There is need for the development of the supply chains for the hinterlands through optimal utilisation of the rail, road and waterways as viable mechanisms for conveying cargoes to various locations.

“African countries should also include the strategy of hinterland connectivity in their ports’ master plans in order to ensure seamless evacuation of cargoes at the ports, ” Abubakar said.

He stressed the need to improve the movement of cargoes to various destinations to remove the existing gridlock on ports’ access roads.

The former head of state added that funding was paramount in achieving the main objective of hinterland connectivity.

He urged participants to come out with innovative strategies and practical methods that would facilitate the efficiency of hinterland connectivity.

In his goodwill message, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Ikenwoli, said the movement of cargoes through rivers and sea was the bedrock of industrial development and rapid growth.

He commended the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, for making Niger/Delta rivers vibrant, and appreciated the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for working to improve hinterland connectivity.

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who was represented by Chief Nurudeen Agoro, the Ojomu of Lagos, urged government to decongest the port access roads, which he said extended to major roads in Lagos.

Akiolu said the constant traffic logjam on Lagos roads had affected the business operations of the city.

The traditional ruler urged government to improve on the interland connectivity in order to stop the gridlock caused by trailers parking on the highways.

Mr Julian Garcia, Head of Facilitation, Maritime Safety Division, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) said its strategy for regulating international shipping provided an ambitious 50 per cent improvement in shipping by 2050.

Garcia said to enable the ports achieve the desired improvement, there was need for efficiency, supply and provision of sustainable offshore operations.

According to him, IMO is also helping in securing an environment for sustainability which would come into force in Jan. 1, 2020.

“We have significant impact on the implementation of regulation and we need to ensure ports are connected to the hinterlands.

“African countries should also reflect on the importance of Blue Economy on the 2050 Africa in connection with maritime strategy for robust resources in African oceans and seas,” Garcia said.

He urged the various governments of African countries to establish mechanisms to leverage on the Blue Economy concept in the national development policies and securities.

Garcia said the conference, being the first in the existence of IAPH, should work toward competualising the Blue economy concept with the national pioritiess and development plans. (NAN)

AIC/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Training

Keffi, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 200 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are participating in a two-week training on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ADR training, which will end on Sept. 28, is organised by NSCDC in collaboration with UNDP and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dr Stephen Faleti, the Lead Facilitator, who spoke to NAN on the sidelines of the ceremony, said the purpose of the training was to boost the capacity of the NSCDC Peace Desk Officers.

Faleti noted that the ADR training was a follow-up to a similar programme which was held in 2013.

He explained that there was a need for a continuous and concerted training for new and old officers.

He said that the training was also to fill in a major gap between the current ratio of trained peace officers and the Nigerian population.

“If you recall, last year alone, over 14,000 civil cases were settled by NSCDC Peace Officers.

“Also in the process, monies running into over N100 million were saved and recovered from parties settling their disputes without going to court.

“Now, this is a process we feel should be continued and peace officers should be encouraged to do more.

“Even though this is something that started since 2013, this year’s training is an upgrade of what we had previously.

“For instance, this year we are going to add other components such as emotional intelligence even for the peace maker.

“We need emotional intelligence, not only to help people settle their conflicts but even we require that skill in order to do well in dispute settlement.

“There are also other aspects; we will be trying to compare the ADR mechanisms, especially conciliations and generally brush up the existing skill sets as they are and update them.

“We will also be comparing notes on how the peace officers have been doing their job, the challenges that they face.

“We intend to offer suggestions on how they can overcome some of the challenges they come across in their everyday intervention scenarios,’’ he said.

Mr Zakari Ningi, Assistant Commandant General In-Charge of Training told NAN that the NSCDC, in partnership with UNDP, had since 2013 engaged in progressive collaboration.

Ningi said that the collaboration had led to an unimaginable strengthening of capacity of the Corps’ Peace Officers nationwide.

He noted that the engagement had also resulted in training of a large number of the officers becoming professionals in ADR.

The training equally reflected on the yearly performances of the peace officers in service delivery to members of the public in mediation and settlement of conflicts.

“It may interest you to know that this collaboration between the NSCDC and UNDP actually started in 2013.

“Since then, over 200 peace officers have been trained throughout the country.

“In the year 2017 alone, over 13,000 varieties of conflicts were handled and successfully mediated to the satisfaction of the disputants.

“Apart from that also, over 50 chartered mediators and conciliators have been trained.

“In addition, we have also organised inter-agency peace building across the country,” he said.

Ningi expressed gratitude to the UNDP and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support, adding that the training had yielded positive results.

“We want to assure them that the NSCDC will continue to do its best in ensuring that we continue to explore the possibility of settling disputes without really going into litigation,’’ he said. (NAN)

KAYC/VOE/MNA

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Edited by Vivian Emoni/Maureen Atuonwu

President Buhari commends Jim Ovia on entrepreneurship

Book

Lagos, Sept. 17, 2019 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commended the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia, for his contributions to entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Buhari gave the commendation in a message at the public presentation and launch of Ovia’s book “Africa Arise and Shine” in Lagos.

He said that Ovia had contributed so much in inspiring entrepreneurs, particularly the Nigerian youths.

“It is my pleasure to convey my congratulations to you on the publication of the book ‘Africa rise and shine,’ which you authored.

“I commend you in this contribution to the knowledge base of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs, particularly the Nigerian youth.

“Your journey in building one of our country’s most iconic enterprise is an encouragement to our fellow citizens. Congratulations on this achievement,” Buhari wrote.

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, said that successful people in the country owed the society three taxes.

Osinbajo described the three as personal income and corporate tax, social and civic tax.

He, however, said Ovia was not one of such people as he was a law abiding citizen who discharged his obligations in tax payments.

The vice president also lauded Ovia’s philanthropic gestures, particularly his investment in education where he said Obi’s impressed him by his many feats.

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, said that Ovia possessed many qualities which all ought to be emulated by professionals.

According to him, in the book, Ovia shares important words of wisdom drawn from his more than 38-year experience as a trail blazer in Nigeria’s banking sector and his experience in the telecommunications and insurance sectors.

“The book conveys an inspirational message on universal principles that are applicable in every country which can serve as a guide to millions of young Nigerians on how to succeed.

“These principles are devotion to knowledge, commitment to excellence and courage to dare where many feared.

“As you will find in the book, these factors were instrumental in enabling him to build a US$16 billion conglomerate from barely N203 million at start-up of this empire.

“For those of us who know him and have worked under him, Jim Ovia is a stickler for knowledge and is deeply committed to excellence.”

Emefiele said those were important principles that should guide local and foreign investors in their approach to the Nigerian and African markets.

He said that the key success factors for investors should be clear understanding of the potential of the market, leveraging technology and innovation in providing superior products and services to a market of about 200 million people, in the case of Nigeria.

“If these principles are followed like Mr Jim Ovia has done in Nigeria as well as in other parts of the world, you can expect to receive huge rewards for your efforts.

The Lagos State Gov., Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, highlighted the contributions of the Ovia to the accountancy and banking professions in Nigeria.

Ambode called on leading entrepreneurs in Africa to take time to expose the younger generations to their inspiring stories with a view to showing them how to become successful business owners.

Ambode said it was important for successful entrepreneurs like the author of the book to tell the story of how they were able to navigate the business climate to inspire others who looked forward to be like them.

He commended the author for taking out time to write the book, saying Ovia’s contributions to the banking and accountancy professions could not be downplayed.

“Obviously, the truth is there is no person that has actually gone through the profession of accountancy that would not have had something to do with Jim Ovia,” Ambode said.

Obi’s, the author, said internet was changing the world which had enabled people to do online transactions, online sales, online education and everything.

He said that an economy driven by technology would always blossom.

“ So, for us to blossom the Nigerian economy, lets start to digitise the economy. if we digitise the economy, it will continue to grow.

“If we use technology to drive our manufacturing process, our agriculture and healthcare, we will know what that will do for us”.

Ovia said that what inspired him to write the bopk was the need to change the narrative of African continent.

“The narrative of Africa has been something so pathetic.

“When you Google about Africa then, the first things that come out is that it is a continent of complex, a continent of corruption and of coups.

“That was played out very dramatically when The Economist magazine had on their front page that Africa then was a continent of coup and a continent of corruption.

“But after two decades, that narrative started changing. Today, we now know that Africa is truly rising,” he said.

Ovia said that African countries had recorded GDP per capita of above 1,000 dollars, whereas about 20 years ago, it was below 500 dollars.

“So, for me, Africa is rising. Twenty years ago, only few African countries had mobile phones, but today, all the African countries, not only have mobile phones, they also have broadband technology and internet penetration is high.

“Africa is rising by embracing technology.

“Amazon is now over $1 trillion. This Amazon doesn’t have a factory anywhere.

“They don’t have any oil well at all, but has over $1 trillion in market capitalisation and richer than Nigeria and twice the GDP of Nigeria.

“It is because they embraced technology and the internet,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book is essentially about the story of how Ovia commenced his business in the 1980s and now worth 16 billion dollars.

Dignitaries at the event included Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibrahim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti Governor-elect).

They also included the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Segun Osoba Christopher Kolade, Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Akintola Williams, Tony Elumelu, Folorunso Alakija, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I. (NAN)
AWA/TÁ
Edited by Tajudeen

FG, Niger Republic to partner on rail construction – Amaechi

Rail
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, Sept.17, 2018(NAN)The Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, says the Federal Government is partnering with the government of Niger Republic to construct standard gauge rail-line to attract and facilitate businesses to Nigerian ports.

Amaechi said this at the opening of the maiden edition of the International Association of Port and Harbours (IAPH), Africa Regional Conference, organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the rail line would start from Kano and pass through Dutse, Kazaure, Daura, Kastina, Jibia and terminate at Maradi in Niger.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering with the government of Niger Republic in the construction of a standard gauge rail line to connect Maradi in Niger and Katsina States.

“This is also part of our efforts to promote regional integration and trade between our two nations.

“The decision of the rail line getting to Niger was to try to get other neighbouring countries to transport their vessels through Nigeria, looking at the economic viability of that service.

“Having the train in Maradi will open up trade from other neighbouring countries to ship their goods through Nigeria, from Kano to Lagos without police checkpoints or traffic.

“We also do not have a seaport; we are trying to get the market.

“We have the capacity to do that, all those big vessels that are supposed to pass through Nigeria go to Benin Republic.

“Benin Republic has a Deep Water Port and we don’t have a sea port in Nigeria, what we have is a River port.

“So, that is the reason we want to build the 16 metres Lekki Deep Water Port and 17 metres Deep Water Port at Bonny to attract the market,’’ he said.

Amaechi, however, said that the development of dry ports in Kano and Kaduna, with direct rail connection, would transit cargoes and containers easily to the nook and crannies of Northern Nigeria.

He said this would also extend to Chad and Niger Republic in determination to promote trans-shipment of cargoes to the neighbouring countries. (NAN)
TY/VOE/IA
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Edited by Vivian Emoni/Idris Abdulrahman

Centre
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, on Monday said it would soon inaugurate a cleft lip and palate centre to properly care for patients with such conditions.

Prof. Adewale Oke, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, made the assertion at the 6th Biannual Conference on Cleft Palate and Lipping in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was to express the hospitals willingness to work with the consultants and specialists from the United States under the auspices of Alliance for Smiles.

“It is also to continue to partner with the Rotary Clubs, Nigeria, to provide succour to the needy.

“Four years ago, we had our first interface with Rotary and since then, they have been here biannually to follow up patients that have undergone cleft lip surgery before and to perform surgery on new patients that have continued to come.

“Now, they want to go a step higher; they have been able to gather the specialties that are required to complete the surgery and their mandate, so that they will be no more defect mentally, psychologically and other wise, by putting all these groups together.

“What I will do is to ensure that they have a room, a theatre where the cleft palate surgery will be carried out; so soon, there will be centre for cleft lip in LASUTH.

“There is also a plan to have the special x-ray machine that will give us more successes for the surgery and we expect that to be here by the end of next year.

“It is a success story and we hope that we will continue to associate with them to continue to give service to patients as they come,’’ Oke said.

In his remarks, the Governor of Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, Mr Kola Sodipo, said that the team was in Nigeria to flag off another edition of treating and managing the illnesses.

“It’s a pleasure to be here in continuation of Rotary International in partnership with LASUTH to provide succour to the needy, especially in the area of cleft palate and lipping surgery.

“What is important is that, apart from the volunteers from U.S coming to work with our specialist here, they are also trying to transfer those skills to our consultant specialists here in Nigeria to improve their ability to deliver that necessary health services to our patients and our citizens,’’ Sodipo said.

Also, the Coordinator, Rotary Cleft Palate Surgical Mission, Dr Deinde Shoga, said the team was in Lagos to ensure that the experts took things to a new level by giving total care to patients with cleft lip and palate.

“In 2014, the team worked in LASUTH and operated over 60 patients.

“Having done all this, and in realisation of the fact that cleft lip and palate had gone beyond just repairing the defects, Alliance for Smiles decided it was high time it moved things to higher levels.

“This is by collaborating with one of the government facilities that they had visited and set up a treatment centre which will ensure that the same practitioners have something to do with cleft palate and lip,’’ Shoga said.

Commenting, the Managing Director of Alliance for Smiles, Mrs Kristin Stueber, expressed joy that LASUTH gave her team the opportunity to continue with the project.

“I thank LASUTH for allowing us to continue with this project; it’s true that in medicine, progress can often be slow and sometimes frustrating,“  Stueber said. (NAN)

LED/CHOM/GOK

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Olagoke Olatoye

Death

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Alike (Ikwo) Sept.17, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has cut short his official trip to Port Harcourt, to commiserate with the family of his predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi over the death of his son, Onyekachi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onyekachi, Elechi’s third child and a Lecturer at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki, died of undisclosed causes on Sept. 14.

Umahi, who led a high-powered government delegation to his predecessor’s home at Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, thanked the deceased’s family for receiving him and his entourage.

“We thank you for accepting us to pay this condolence visit as I was in Port Harcourt on an official visit last Friday when I heard the tragic news.

“Expectedly, all the phone lines of their excellencies (Elechi and wife) were off which was understandable because of the devastating effect of the death on the family.

“I directed the entire government officials to visit the family but understandably also, their excellencies were not in good shape to receive them.

“This was why I cut-short my journey to Port Harcourt and for me, it was a very rude shock because I knew Onyekachi very well,” he said.

The governor noted that he worked closely with the deceased on several occasions as he was friendly with everybody and was a guru in Information Communication Technology (ICT).

“His death is very shocking, a big loss to the family, the university and entire Ebonyi and we all should understand that we are visitors on this earth.

“It is like a journey and no one knows where he would disembark or can question God,” he said.

Chief Nnanna Elechi, the former governor’s first son who stood-in for his father during the visit, thanked Umahi for the visit and noted that the family was pained by the death.

“We thank everyone who has shared this moment of grief with us and pray for God’s mercies on all,” he said.

Umahi, who was Elechi’s former ally, served as his deputy but their relationship severed due to political reasons in 2015. (NAN)

RCO/IA

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How Nigeria will mark 58^th Independence Anniversary – SGF

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Anniversary

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said that part of activities for the country`s 58^th Independence  Anniversary will include displays by the Nigerian Air Force jets and helicopters.

This was announced in a statement by Mr Gabriel Aduda, Chairman, 2018 Independence Day Organising Committee, on Monday in Abuja.

Aduda said that movement of military hardware would also be part of the activities.

He said the flight displays by fast Air-Force jets and helicopters would be within the airspace of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Aduda added that the major airspace to be affected would include those of Eagle Square, the three arms zones, Keffi, Ado, Orozo, Karu, Nyanya, Guzape and Asokoro areas of the FCT.

He said that the Air Force jet simulations involving a total of 27 air-craft assembled from various NAF units, were planned for between Sept. 14 to 30 and between 10.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m daily.

He, therefore, advised members of the public not to panic at the sight and sounds of the personnel and equipment manovers by the military and other paramilitary agencies.

“Citizens are therefore advised to go about their normal activities,“ he said.

He added that full details of the activities to mark the 2018 Independence Day would be released at a world press conference on Sept. 18 at the National Press Centre in Abuja. (NAN)

EEM/VOE/IA
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Edited by Vivian Emoni/Idris Abdulrahman

BMO faults Atiku on protection
Protection
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s request for protection from President Muhammadu Buhari as shocking.
The organisation made the observation in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Mr Cassidy Madueke in Abuja on Monday.
It noted that the request showed how inconsistent the former Vice President could be.
“It is apparent that Atiku suffers an irredeemable proclivity for playing to the gallery. This is what you get when you cannot put meditation to publicly expressed opinions.
“Same you claimed the President is the most incompetent president in the history of the country, yet, hours afterwards, same you were teary-eyed in petitioning for a privileged presidential security protection for you and your family,” the organisation said.(NAN)
MS/ABI
Edited by Ali Inuwa

2019: Akpabio assures of landslide victory for Buhari in Akwa Ibom

Akpabio

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018(NAN) Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom North-West) has expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will record a massive victory in Akwa Ibom State in the 2019 presidential election.

Akpabio, alongside Sen. Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), led delegation from Akwa Ibom State APC on a courtesy visit to Buhari at the presidential villa on Monday.

While fielding questions from State House Correspondents, Akpabio, said Akwa Ibom State would be the first state to fall for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

“I believe strongly in the saying, `res ipsa loquitor’, the act speaks for itself.

“From the caliber of personages you saw here today, the strength and character of the delegation, the capacities of the personalities you saw, it is clear that President Buhari will win Akwa Ibom State come 2019 general elections.

“He will not only win, he will win with a landslide; I can predict that the first state in Nigeria to fall to the APC in 2019 presidential election is Akwa Ibom State.

“Nobody can controvert it; I say so with authority because I have the backing of my people to pronounce it – victory for APC and victory for Buhari come 2019 in Akwa Ibom State,’’ he said.

He said that he was the governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, and could not remember one kilometre of road that was done by the Federal Government in Akwa Ibom State.

He said that in terms of appointments, Akwa Ibom State had benefited more from Buhari’s administration than it did from 1999 to 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

Akpabio said that Akwa Ibom was always taken for a strong PDP state; hence it was taken for granted under PDP administration.

“This president went out of his way to give our children the opportunity to have very sensitive appointments at the Federal level.

“When I was a governor, we had a minister of state for many years but today we have a full fledged Minister of Budget and National Planning and a lot of other appointments.

“We are very satisfied and we believe we have to reciprocate this gesture by voting solidly for Buhari,’’ he said. (NAN)

CJ/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide