Blog

NAN-H-34

Removal

By Sunday John

Lafia, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government says it has removed five principals from different schools for charging fees from students.

Ramatu Ajuji-Abubakar, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, made this known during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lafia on Tuesday.

“From our investigation so far, we discovered and have removed five principals of different schools for charging students fees”, she siad.

She further threatened to sanction any principal in public schools caught collecting fees from students.

According to her, the free education policy of the State Government is still in force from primary to secondary levels.

“Students are not supposed to pay any money and any principal caught extorting money from the unsuspecting students in the name of school fees would be sanctioned.

“Students in all the public boarding schools across the state are not to pay money or give any food item as the government has taken full charge of their feeding”, the commissioner said.

She explained that the state government, through the ministry, had set machinery in motion to check illegal practices by principals.

Ajuji-Abubakar added that, the government has provided massive infrastructure at both primary and secondary schools in the state in order to provide environment conducive for teachers and students.

She said in spite of the huge investments of government in providing infrastructure and feeding for boarding students, government was still battling with the high influx of students from private schools.

She cautioned the leadership of Parent-Teacher Association in the state not to charge the students any money without permission from the ministry as doing so would not be tolerated. (NAN)

SDJ/YMU/IEA
===========
Edited by Yakubu Uba/Idahosa Asowata
======================

NAN-ELS-1
Festival
By Elusogbon Dorcas
Ile-Ife (Osun), Oct.  17, 2016 (NAN) A former Chairman of Ife East Local Government Area of Osun, Chief Gbenga Owolabi, has commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for modernising the 2016 edition of the Olojo festival through technology.

Owolabi gave the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the grand finale of the Olojo festival on Monday in Ile-Ife.

He said this year’s festival was “unique and extraordinary’’ by the way the Ooni had modernised it.

“ This brings a new dawn and new beginning to the cradle of the Yoruba,’’ he said.

Owolabi also commended the monarch for prioritising Yoruba culture as well as  promoting peace and unity among traditional rulers and the entire Yoruba race.

He admonished all stakeholders to support Ogunwusi in implementing initiatives to empower the people.

Owolabi also expressed support for the return of history as a subject in the school curriculum, saying it would help preserve culture and tradition.

The Asiwaju Awo Agbaye, Dr Ifagbenuola Atanda, also congratulated the Ooni on the successful outcome of the Olojo festival.

Atanda, who said the annual festival was being celebrated to promote peace and unity, urged government and other stakeholders to support the Ooni in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage. (NAN)
EDA/FF/OJO
===========
(Edited by Fela Fashoro and Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-9
Bill
By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike
Enugu, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Joint Association of People Living with Disability (JAPLD) on Tuesday urged the Enugu State House of Assembly to quicken the passage of the Disability Bill to alleviate their problems.

Mr Sammy Obiefuna, a former Chairman of the association, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

Obiefuna said that the passage of the bill would give every disabled person a sense of belonging and would be beneficial to them.

He said that numerous disabled graduates who ought to have been working for the state and making a good living were being neglected because of one deformity or the other.

He explained that the plight of people living with disabilities were many due to delay in the passage of the bill.

“Once the bill is passed, those with disability will begin to reap all the benefits which their counterparts in developed countries enjoy.

“The bill proposes free education, job provision as well as poverty reduction among the disabled,’’ he said. 

He urged state governors to ensure the introduction of sign language in both primary and secondary schools so as to make learning easier for the physically challenged persons.

“I laud Gov. Akinwumi Ambode for introducing the teaching of sign language in Lagos State schools.’’

Obiefuna lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a physically challenged person as one of his aides which showed that the president had us in his mind.

Obiefuna noted that he was sure that the president would not hesitate to sign the bill into law “since he is a man of justice’’. (NAN)
OJI/HS/PDE
=========
(Edited by Halima Sheji/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-3
Road
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to reconstruct the dilapidated Suleja-Minna road in Niger State.

The union members, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, said that the road has become a death trap.

Alhaji Abubakar Isa, a representative of the group, said that the state of the road had continued to affect commercial activities within the area.

He said that farmers in villages along Dikko to Minna road face hardship transporting their crops to markets.

Isa added that reconstruction of the road would boost commercial activities especially in Dikko, Lambata, Paiko junction, Barin Doki and Kwakuti.

“We will continue to support the laudable policies and programmes of the present administration at the federal and state governments for peace, progress and political growth of the country,’’ Isa said. (NAN)
AAG/ENN/MZA
============

Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu and controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-ELS-1
Fame
Los Angeles, Oct.18, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) “The West Wing” actress Allison Janney was joined by former co-star Richard Schiff as she received the 2,592nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday.

Seven-times Emmy Award-winning actress Janney, who played White House press secretary C.J. Cregg in the political drama, received the star located next to American film and stage actor Montgomery Clift on Hollywood Boulevard.

Janney was also joined in celebration by Chuck Lorre, one of the creators of her latest series, “Mom”, which premieres its fourth season on Oct. 27. (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/MZA
========

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-S-1
Heartland
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Heartland FC of Owerri will be restructured ahead of the 2016/2017 Nigeria National League (NNL) following its relegation to the lower league early this month.

The club’s General Manager, Oscar Keke, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that talks were ongoing between the players and management to know the way forward.

“We will reorganise and get ready for the NNL season and the new position we find ourselves.

“But until we hear from the sponsors of the club, we can only reorganise within our ability and wait for the next line of action from the government.

“It is not every player that will want to play in the lower league, so, we will know those that will go and those that will stay before we can know what next in terms of signing players,’’ Keke said.

According to him, plans are on to keep the club in the elite league but that the “Naze Millionaires’’ as Heartland is popularly called will not waste time to fit into the NNL.

“If we see the opportunity of those wanting to sell their slots in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), we will take it.

“So far, the people we are talking with are not interested in relinquishing their position,’’ Keke added.

Heartland FC was relegated to the NNL following a League Management Company (LMC) decision that saw it forfeit three points and three goals to Plateau United FC of Jos for abandoning a match.

A review of the encounter which was a Match Day 38 fixture in the just-concluded NPFL season played on Oct. 2 in Jos had shown that Heartland breached article B13.26 of the NPFL rules.

It will be recalled that players of Heartland abandoned their match against Plateau United in the 75th minute following a dispute with the match referee’s call.

Scores were 1-1 at the time the match was abandoned, but the LMC’s decision meant Heartland lost the match 3-0.

It also officially confirmed the relegation of the Owerri-based club for the first time since its inception in 1976. (NAN)
EMAF/PDE
========
(Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

Solution to Kaduna crisis in hands of warring parties -Deputy Gov.
NAN-H-2
Attacks
By Moses Kolo
Kafanchan (Kaduna) Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bantex, has said that the solution to the unending crisis at Godogodo in Jemaa Local Government is in the hands of the warring parties and stakeholders of the area.

Bantex said this when he took delivery of relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for persons displaced by the crisis.

He attributed the security challenge to poverty and idleness, and said the state government was doing everything possible to create job opportunities to absorb idling youths to stem the menace.

He commended NEMA for the assistance, describing it as heartwarming.

Earlier, NEMA Director-General, Sani Sidi, represented by the Zonal Director of the agency, Musa Ilela, condoled with the Kaduna  government and its people over loss of lives and property in the crisis.

Sidi said NEMA had 100 bags of maize and guinea corn, 50 bags of rice, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, 300 bags of cement and clothing materials, among others to assist the displaced persons.

He said the gesture was not compensation but a token to cushion the effects of the crisis.

The Interim Chairman of the council, Dr Bege Katuka, commended the Federal and state governments for what he described as prompt intervention, and promised to deliver the items to the displaced persons in the crisis. (NAN)
MGK/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-1
Curfew
By Moses Kolo
Kafanchan (Kaduna), Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Authorities of Jema’a Local Government Area  of Kaduna State have relaxed Sunday’s  24-hour  curfew imposed in Kafanchan following rising tension in the area

The 24-four hour curfew followed tension and attacks witnessed in Godogodo Area that led to the killing of scores and destruction of property.

The Interim Council Chairman, Dr Bege Katuka, told NAN in a telephone interview that the curfew was relaxed to 6 a.m to 6p.m, adding, “people can go about their usual activities within the said hour”.

Katuka said security personnel have been on top of the situation, and urged the people to comply with government’s directives.

He assured the people that the curfew would soon be lifted and normalcy restored to the affected areas.

The chairman cautioned youths against unguided utterances and tendencies capable to breaching public peace and advised the people to remain vigilant and report any suspected person or group of persons to the appropriate authority. (NAN)
MGK/HS/OFN
Edited by Halima Sheji//Felix Nwadioha

NAF destroys another set of illegal barges in Niger Delta
NAN-DS-1
Barges
By Yahaya Isah
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN ) The Nigerian Air Force has destroyed another set of illegal barges in the Niger Delta Region.

A statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, made this known to newsmen in Abuja Tuesday.

“NAF has destroyed two additional illegal barges laden with stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta. The barges were set ablased by NAF helicopter around Opu-Bille, Yellow Island and Bille Area of Rivers.

“The latest operations like the previous ones, are clear pointers to the fact that it is no longer profitable to steal crude oil in Nigeria,” Famuyiwa said.

Famuyiwa added that it had also become increasingly difficult for anybody or group of persons to divert the nation’s commonwealth for selfish interest.

He restated NAF’s commitment to continue its operations to rid the creeks of criminal elements to make the region safe for genuine economic activities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that NAF, had in the past two weeks, destroyed a number of illegal refineries and oil barges in Rivers. (NAN )
YI/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Gov. Wike restates commitment to massive food production

NAN-H-89

Food

By Azubuike Okeh

Port Harcourt, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Rivers Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has that his administration will remain committed toward providing the enabling environment for massive production of food.

Wike said this at the 2016 World Food Day celebration in Port-Harcourt on Monday.

Represented by Dr Ipalibo Banigo, his Deputy, Wike said that his administration was implementing an agricultural programme that would encourage massive food production.

He said that the state government had embarked on vigorous rural infrastructural development in order to attract investors in agriculture.

According to him, the state government is already working on policies that will ensure productive agricultural use of the arable land in various parts of the state.

“The state has massive area of arable land capable of use for commercial farming, we also have the natural resources for commercial fish farming.

The governor urged the business community to join forces with the government in the implementation of its agricultural policies.

Earlier the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Onimim Jacks, called on farmers in the state to ensure environmentally-friendly practices in their activities as farmers.

She said the ministry was already partnering with some local and foreign organizations to provide adequate training on best agricultural practices to farmers.

“We have already engaged the services of some local and foreign investors to ensure that farmers are equipped with internationally accepted agricultural practices,’’ she said.(NAN)

AZU/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha