Blog

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Babachir

Abuja,Sept.17, 2018(NAN) Mr Babachir Lawal, the immediate-past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),  has said that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves to be re-elected in 2019 following his development strides .

Lawal stated this while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Abuja, adding that those opposed to Buhari’s re-election were probably blind to his numerous achievements.

“I know very well that President Buhari has done very well to be re-elected over and over again, I wonder whether those still in doubt have not seen infrastructure, construction and other things he has been doing.

“I challenge those in doubt to come to Adamawa to see things for themselves, “he said.

He stressed that President Buhari had done so much for the country, adding that before he assumed office, the people of Adamawa were being held captive by Boko Haram sect.

Lawal said the government had rebuilt virtually everything that was destroyed by the sect, including schools, police stations, markets and hospitals.

“Before his coming into office, I could not go to my village, I could not go to my farm or to my Local Government, but the situation has changed.

“Now, I can drive to my house even at 2 a.m, I can visit the remotest corners of the village with my family. I go to my farm in the forest and come back safely.

“If you have never faced an unsecured situation, you may not appreciate what I am saying, “he said.

He further noted that under the President Buhari-led Federal Government, all trunk “A” roads in Adamawa were now under construction or contracts awarded.

He said such roads included; Yola to Gombe, Numan to Taraba, Yola to Mubi, Mararaba to Bama and many others under construction.

The former SGF, however, said that in spite of the situation that surrounded his leaving office, he had no regret, adding that his sack was a blessing in disguise.

“Let me shock you, before I came into government, I have been in business, I was a very successful businessman.

“I am a world renowned IT consultant and I have a very large farm, spanning over 1,000 hectares, which I abandoned to join governance.

“I was earning N930, 000 monthly as the SGF, now that I have returned to my farm and reactivated it after my sack, I now have 4,000 hectares under cultivation.

“Last year, I earned close to half a billion naira from my farm proceeds, I have a cattle ranch that I am developing gradually and I am back to IT consultancy, life is now good,” he stressed.

Lawal,  who was speaking to the press for the first time since he left office, added that everybody who saw him now, complimented him, saying he was looking good and healthy.

He, however, said that his sack from office, opened his eyes to a lot of things that were hidden from him, adding that lots of people he helped in the past, were actually planning for his downfall.

Referring to the scripture the former SGF said; “everything that happened to a man is for his own good; my sack I would say, is rather a blessing in disguise.

“Let me tell you, nothing happened to me. Right from the beginning of the saga, I knew that the whole thing was fabricated and that was why I did not give any damn from the beginning.

“The reason some people don’t like me is because I am so confident of myself. Did you hear me defend myself that time, I didn’t do it and I will not do it because I know that they are fabricated,“he said.

He added that he had however, forgiven all those who wanted his downfall, saying that forgiveness is my number one principle because I want to make heaven.

Lawl debunked insinuations that he nominated Boss Mustapha, the incumbent SGF, saying that “he is however my brother and I cannot deny him”. (NAN)

EEM/AAB/AMY

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi and Abdullahi Yusuf

Election

By Mercy Osajiugo

Minna, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Sen. David Umaru has advised his constituents to disregard any aspirant seeking to buy their votes during the forthcoming senatorial primary and general elections.

Umaru gave the advice on Monday at the UK Bello Arts Theatre, Minna, while declaring intention to run for a second term as senator representing Niger East Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umaru, who is presently the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights, tasked electorate to take time in choosing the best.

“Where an aspirant or candidate seeks to vie for an office for the first time, the electorate must conduct due diligence on the aspirant’s antecedents.

“It is the right of the electorate to peruse on aspirants in order to determine aspirants’ suitability.

“We have come a long way now as to understand the damage money politics and other primordial sentiments have done to our society.

“We must shun money bags and those who brandish money in order to curb vote buying at elections.

“My politics is of the people and for the people; my declaration to contest the office of the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Niger East Senatorial District, is coming after a long drawn and extensive consultation with stakeholders, both within and outside my constituency,” he said.

Umaru, who declared his intention to re-contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described his score card as impressive.

He listed his achievements in the first term in the senate to include, the sponsoring of three motions and petitions, 10 bills and award of 77 scholarships for indigent students.

He added that the sinking of many boreholes and the construction of culverts in different areas of his constituency as part of his first term achievements.

NAN reports that two other aspirants in the APC, Alhaji Sani Musa, and a former registrar of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Alhaji Usman Datti, are also seeking the single senatorial ticket of the zone. (NAN)

MNO/MAS/MTM

Edited by Moses Solanke/Tukur Muntari .

Buhari approves dualisation of Ikot Ekpene-Aba road

Road

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018(NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the dualisation of the road linking Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State and Aba in Abia State.

Sen. Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents on Monday at the Presidential Villa.

Enang and Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC Akwa Ibom North-West) led a delegation from the All Progressives Congress(APC), Akwa Ibom on a courtesy visit to Buhari.

“Two things the president has done for us today; approving that the road between Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State and Aba in Abia State be dualised.

“The second is that the road from Oron to Calabar, that is the 5^th section of the East-West road is going to be awarded and completed; and that is under the Forum on China African Cooperation Funding window.

“It runs into hundreds of billions; and runs through the sea and it is to link the entire South-South.

“With these two and all others which have been awarded, the entire people of Akwa Ibom State and South-South have declared that they will support the government of president Buhari and APC.

“We have no doubt that the entirety of South-South and South-East will be collapsing into APC led by Akwa Ibom,’’ he said.

According to him, the delegation comprises politicians of repute in Akwa Ibom State who have come to show solidarity with Buhari.

He said that the number of people that had left PDP and crossed over to APC ranging from former legislators, governors, deputy governors, members of the House of Assembly was indicative that the people of the state had pitched tent with Buhari.

Enang said that aside roads, the president had also favourably treated the state in terms of appointments. (NAN)

CJ//MZA

2019 : Presidency has not endorsed any APC governorship aspirant in Ebonyi-Ex Rep. Chima

Election

By Douglas Okoro

Abakaliki, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Chief Kelechi Chima, governorship aspirant in Ebonyi, has debunked alleged claim of presidency endorsement of one of the governorship aspirants in the 2019 governorship election.

Chima, spoke at a media briefing on Monday in Abakaliki during formal declaration of his bid to run for the 2019 governorship of Ebonyi.

Chima, an aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the alleged report that the presidency was supporting a particular gubernatorial aspirant was false.

According to him, neither President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential aides nor the party is backing any of the eight governorship aspirants in Ebonyi gubernatorial race.

“The alleged report is unfounded, replete with falsehood and completely untenable.

“APC as a party does not believe in imposition because it believes in rule of law and the right of party members to choose their candidates in credible, free, fair and open selection process.

“Any of the aspirants who wins the party’s nomination in a free, fair and credible election, the rest of us will support the person.

“I don’t believe that the presidency or the party will impose anybody on Ebonyi; it is what Ebonyi people decide to do that they will do.

“Any of the aspirants who manages to play his politics well and wins, it means that Ebonyi people have accepted that person to be their candidate and we will support him to win the election.

“There is nothing like imposition in APC or the presidency supporting any aspirant against others to the best of my knowledge,’’ Chima said.

Chima, who represented the people of Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo Federal Constituency between 1999 and 2003 promised to run credible, people-oriented and all inclusive administration if elected governor of Ebonyi in 2019.

He said: “I shall remain irrevocably committed to run an inclusive government powered by the will of the people and sustained by the desire to place service above self.

“Serve as a bridge between the old and younger breed politicians and ingrain attitudinal change in the lives of the citizenry to enhance discipline and efficiency.

“Run transparent and accountable stewardship with due process as well as create an enabling platform to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through a public /private partnership arrangement.

“Revamp all state owned moribund industries including state building materials industry at Ezzamgbo, Nkaliki Hatchery, Fertilizer Blending Plant, Onuebonyi, Ebonyi Patriot Newspapers, among others.

“Re-tune the agricultural policies of the state for greater output and productivity with resultant job creation and food sufficiency.

“Introduction of public works and environmental department in all Development Centres of the state and build additional stadia at Afikpo and Onueke to enhance sports development.’’

He said that his administration would give deserved attention to revamping and repositioning of health and education sectors which he said have been badly neglected by the present administration.

Chima who appealed for the support of party delegates in the forthcoming governorship primary, said that he would serve for four years to complete the eight years tenure of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chima is from the same senatorial zone with the incumbent governor, Chief Dave Umahi, whose first term in office would expire by May 29, 2019. (NAN)

ODO/COO/OU
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Obike Ukoh

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Media

By: Abdullahi Shugaba

Dutse, Sep 17, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ibrahim Muhamad, state Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Jigawa, on Monday, warned corps members to avoid careless usage of the social media,  as it could  endanger their service.

Muhammad gave the warning during the combined passing out Parade (POP) of Batch B stream two, of NYSC members for Jigawa and Yobe state, at the Gen.Yakubu Gowon Camp, Dutse.

“I urge you to intellectually and carefully use the social media, as careless usage of it will endanger your service year.

“As you are prepared to start your service year, let it be known that the issue of discipline shall not be compromised in any way.

“It is exceptionally important that you adhere strictly to the NYSC rules and regulations which have been codified in the NYSC laws presented to you.

“My dear corps members, I am happy to inform you that the people of Jigawa state are hospitable, peace- loving and always ready to show love and tolerance to all sundry.

“These good people are genuinely excited and willing to receive you in their midst.

“To corps members posted to Yobe, I want to assure you that despite the security challenges, government is working assiduously to secure lives and property of citizens, especially corps members.

“I wish the 1135 corps members deployed to Jigawa and the 776 corps members deployed to Yobe state a successful service after this orientation. God bless all of you.” he said.

In his address at the occasion, the Jigawa Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru represented by the Secretary to the State Government, AlhajI Adamu Fanini, congratulated the corps members for their successful orientation.

The governor urged the corps members to: “interact with their host communities, appreciate their culture, learn their language and avoid indulgence in any vices”.

Badaru urged the corps members to demonstrate the ideals on which the orientation was predicated and designed, to make them leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs Grace Adzer, NYSC Coordinator for Yobe assured the corps members deployed to her state that their lives and property would be secured despite the security challenges in the area. (NAN)

AIS/OOA/MTM

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Edited by: Olabisi Akinbode/ Tukur Muntari. K

Lloris, Alli out of Spurs’ Champions League opener

Champions League

London, Sept. 17, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris and midfielder Dele Alli have been ruled out of the Champions League opener against Inter Milan due to injury, the Premier League club said on Monday.

Goalkeeper Lloris is carrying a thigh injury that kept him out of Tottenham’s 2-1 league defeat by Liverpool on Saturday and Alli was sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Tottenham missed both players in the Liverpool defeat, with errors from stand-in keeper Michel Vorm contributing to both of Liverpool goals.

Alli’s team mate Harry Kane said Spurs had failed to control the game and gave the ball away too many times en route to a second successive domestic defeat.

Midfielder Moussa Sissoko will also miss the Inter match at the San Siro on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury.

Spurs have been drawn in a tough-looking Champions League Group B, which also includes Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Economy

By Ibukun Emiola

Ibadan, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Deeper knowledge and understanding of the agricultural business among value chain enablers such as banks and donor agencies can go a long way toward improving the Nigerian economy significantly, an official has said.

Mr Kenneth Osanebi, who is the Head, Project Monitoring and Remediation Office (PMRO), Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), made this known on Monday in Ibadan at a five-day training on Agricultural Value Chain (AVC).

The training with the title: ‘Agricultural Value Chain Upgrade Services to Achieve National, Regional and Global Competitiveness’, was organised for value chain enablers.

Cue in audio (Osanebi)

“The commercial banks need to have a deeper knowledge of what it is to donate to agriculture they must understand the dynamics; you cannot lend to a business man if you don’t understand his business.

“The essence of the programme is to broaden the mind and then to have the deeper knowledge of agriculture when it comes to financing it; how do you handle various risk that are inherent in agriculture.

“It’s not by running away from it but rather coming up with ways to identify the risk and mitigating this risk, it is not by running away which commercial banks do normally.

“Agribusiness is very risky they run away NIRSAL is saying no, don’t run away, identifying the risk, let us look at the risk together; let us come up with ways that we can mitigate the risk.”

Cue out audio

In his remarks, Mr Akinola Bamiji, Development Finance Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria, lauded NIRSAL for helping Nigerian farmers to be productive through its activities.

“What NIRSAL is trying to do is to fix agricultural value chain from beginning to the end.

“We have been talking of financing of production, farmers will go to farm to cultivate and at the end of the day when they harvest there will be nobody to buy the produce from them.

“Now NIRSAL is looking at it from input to the faming activities (production) up to the processing, warehousing (storage) and marketing to get the people who will produce it into finished goods.

“That is what NIRSAL is standing for; if you do well as a bank you will get incentives; if you do well on agri-business, you will get incentives from NIRSAL,” Bamiji said. (NAN)

IBK/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

West Ham’s Perez denies refusing to play at Everton

EPL

London, Sept. 17, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) West Ham United striker Lucas Perez has defended himself in the wake of media reports that he refused to warm up and come on as a substitute on Sunday.

The match in question was the 3-1 win of the London club over Everton in the Premier League.

The Spaniard was on the bench and looked like he was about to replace the injured Marko Arnautovic in the second half, but manager Manuel Pellegrini brought on midfielder Michail Antonio instead.

Perez was then captured by TV cameras in conversation with West Ham’s goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero on the bench and some sections of the British media reported that he had refused to play.

“Given the false information spread by the media that has affected my image, I am obliged to explain the only truth.

“I have never ever refused to warm up in my whole career, let alone play a match. In the moment that Marko got injured, I was on the bench after warming up.

“The coach called me to go out to play, however having realised that it was faster to substitute Antonio in, who at that moment was warming up, he changed his decision.

“The images that have been misinterpreted correspond to a talk with the goalkeeper’s coach, in which I never refused to warm up and explained what happened,” Perez said on Twitter on Monday.

Pellegrini said after the match that he had no problem with Perez and that “Antonio was already ready so played as I needed to make the change.”

The victory was West Ham’s first of the season and lifted the club off the bottom of the table and up to 16th place. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/KOLE/SA

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Salif Atojoko

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Doctors

By Awayi Kuje

Lafia, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Zakari Idde, former Vice Chairman of the APC, who is eyeing the Nasarawa governorship seat, has decried the acute shortage of doctors in the state, and promised special attention to science education, if elected.

Idde, a former Majority Leader in the Nasarawa House of Assembly, spoke on Monday in Lafia, during a consultation visit to the members of the House of Assembly.

The aspirant said that a strong science education in secondary school would encourage more youths to study human medicine.

He promised to build on the strong foundation laid by Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, saying that he would pay attention to rural development, agriculture, health and youth employment.

Idde promised to provide electricity to rural settlements to discourage rural-urban migration, adding that he would run an open administration that would involve everyone.

Responding, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, Speaker of the House, thanked Idde for the visit, and promised to mobilise members to support his bid to be governor. (NAN)

AKW/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Fadama contributes 3.69m metric tons to the National Food Basket in 4 crops – Coordinator

Food
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) has contributed a total of 3.69 million metric tons to the National food Basket: cassava 841,054, Rice 1,497,366, Sorghum 184,978 and Tomato 1,497,366 metric tons respectively.

The coordinator, Mr Tayo Adewumi disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at Fadama Special Award to recognise stakeholders and staff, who have distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties and contributed to the success achieved so far in the project.

While delivering the keynote address, Tayo said that the event was organised to celebrate performances, quality leadership achievements and passion for the sustainability development of Fadama legacies.

“Fadama interventions in Nigeria have not only become international success story but are gradually growing into a strong movement for economic development in the country.

“The enduring institutional structural framework of the project and the strength of capacity building in the Fadama system stand very tall among all programmes of poverty alleviation and economic recovery in Africa.

“The initiative has not only brought great relief to many farmers in Nigeria, who has now smiling home with high income, but has made significant contributions to the country’s GDP.

“It is important to note that the activities of the project during 2015 to 2017 have led to the addition of a total of 3.69 million metric tons to the National Food Basket: cassava 841,054, Rice 1,497,366, Sorghum 184,978 and Tomato 1,497,366 metric tons respectively.

“Also, North-East Food Security and Livelihood Emergency Support Project has made significant impact on the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons arising from the insurgency,’’ he said.

The coordinator added that the number of the participating states had increased tremendously due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the stakeholders, staff and all the peoples that had made it possible for the project to succeed.

“The desk evaluation of available data showed that nominal income of beneficiaries has increased by 373 per cent as a result of significant increase in yield, price, improved agronomic practices and capacity building.

“As at date a total of 222.32km of roads have been constructed in Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, Kogi, Kano and 26 irrigation canals.

“The project had within the period under review, carried out land clearing for 760 hectares to support production in 5 states to facilitate the production, transportation and marketing of the four value chain of the project,’’ he said.

In his speech, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, Fadama Task Team Leader for the World Bank, thanked all the Fadama teams, saying that they have proved it with their great effort and for not waiting for the opportunity to come but stepped out to look for them.

Oredipe said that Fadama III AF has continued to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s development objectives and policies in terms of Gross Domestic Product, food security, rural development and employment.

“Specifically, Farmers in the 27 participating states had earned N303 billion from rice, cassava, sorghum and tomato with gross margin of N263 billion since inception of the project.

“This contribution to the rural economy is substantial currently when the Federal Government of Nigeria is revitalising and commercialising agriculture.

“Without doubt, these achievements could not have been realised without exemplary leadership, team spirit and commitments from all the stakeholders,’’ he said.

He congratulated the stakeholders and the identified recipients for the excellent performance.

Oredipe urged them to remain resolute and steadfast towards the achievement of the few remaining indicators and to further surpass what was already achieved. (NAN)
ROK/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide