Blog

Association warns herdsmen against grazing cattle on farm lands

NAN-AE-13
Grazing
By Awayi Kuje
Karu (Nasarawa state), Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural association, has warned herdsmen to avoid grazing on farm lands, to stem the frequent clashes between them and farmers.

Alhaji Bello Abdullahi-Badejo, the National President of the association, told newsmen in Karu, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, that grazing on farmland could heighten food insecurity in the country.

He said that grazing on farmland was not a good habit, and appealed to the farmers to also show understanding with herdsmen whenever misunderstanding arose among them.

Abdullahi-Badejo stressed the need for both farmers and herdsmen to always maintain cordial relations in the interest of peace and national development.

He also called on Nigerians to embrace peace and tolerate one another, irrespective of ethnic, religion and political affiliation in the overall interest of the country.

“The role of this association is to preach peace, unity not only to the Fulani community but to Nigerians at large because no society can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.

“The security challenges in parts of the country have affected our lives and socio-economic development negatively.

“It is in view of this, I want to urge herdsmen not to graze on farm lands.

“I also urge farmers to co-exist peacefully with herdsmen so as to avert clashes in the interest of peace and national development.

“Without peaceful co-existence between the farmers and the herdsmen, agricultural production and the socio-economic development will be affected negatively,” president said.

Abdullahi-Badejo also called on the Federal Government to initiate good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the herdsmen in the Nigeria.

He appealed to the Fulani community and other Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and shun negative tendencies.

NAN recalls that in order to stem the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, recently announced government’s plan to seek the supports of key leaders of the Fulani tribe towards establishing grazing reserves for herdsmen.

The minister, who spoke at a retreat on livestock and dairy development in Abuja, said “though the issues around the herdsmen posed a real challenge, the present administration is exploring all avenues to resolve the problem.’’

The minister said that the Federal Government had opted for ranches, saying that that states that do not want grazing fields would not be forced. (NAN)
AKW/AIB/AFA
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-1

Performance

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Here is a list of Nigerians playing football in Europe and how they performed for their clubs over the weekend.

In England, Victor Moses was in action for 82 minutes and on song for Chelsea in the 80^th minute of their 3-0 victory over Leicester City.

Leicester City also had Ahmed Musa in the starting lineup, but he was substituted in the 57th minute after missing a flurry of chances.

Arsenal’s Coach Arsene Wenger had Alex Iwobi in action for 68minutes of Arsenals 3-2 win over Swansea City.

Kelechi Iheanacho got a start for Manchester City and was in action for 56 minutes of their 1-1 draw at home to Everton.

Victor Anichebe was an 81st minute substitute for Sunderland in their 2-0 loss away to Stoke City.

Isaac Success was in action for 89 minutes, but Odion Ighalo was on the bench for the entire duration of Watford’s 1-0 win over Middlesborough.

In Germany, Darmstast 98 had Nigeria’s Victor Nsofor on the bench for the entire duration of their 2-1 loss away to Mainz 05.

In Italy, Simeon Nwakwo was also on the bench for the entire duration of Crotone’s 2-1 loss away to Sassuolo.

In Spain, Uche Agbo was a 69th minute substitute for Granada in their 7-1 loss away to Athletico Madrid.

In France, Vincent Enyeama was in goal for Lille in their 1-0 loss away to Guingamp.

In Holland, Bartholomew Ogbeche was a 69th minute substitute for Williem II, as they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Sparta Rotterdam.

AbdulJaleel Ajagun was also in action for 90 minutes of Roda Jc’s 1-0 win over hosts Excelesior.

AZ Alkmaar had Fred Friday sent in as an 83rd minute substitute in their 2-2 draw at home to Vittesse who had Abiola Dauda on the bench for the entire duration of the match.

Taiwo Awoniyi was also a 73rd minute substitute for NEC in their 1-2 loss at home to Feyenord.

In Turkey, Emem Eduok was an 81st minute substitute for Kasimpasa in their goalless draw at home to Gaziantespor.

Kehinde Fatai was in action for 90 minutes while compatriot Sylvester Igboun was in action for 80 minutes.

Also, Aminu Umar played 83 minutes of Osmanlispor’s goalless draw away to Bursaspor.

Fenerbache paraded Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike for 64 minutes in their 1-1 draw at home to Alayanspor who also paraded Nigerian centre-back, Kenneth Omeruo for the entire duration of the match.

Ogenyi Onazi saw action for just 38 minutes of Trabzonspor’s goalless draw at home to Akhisar Belediyespor.

In Russia, Ezekiel Henry was on the bench for the entire duration of Locomotiv Moscow’s goalless draw away to Amkar Perm.

In Scotland, Juwon Oshaniwa was on the bench for the entire duration of Hearts’ 2-0 win over Dundee.

In Portugal, Mikel Agu was in action for 60 minutes of Vitória Setúbal’s 0-1 loss at home to Marítimo.

In Belgium, Elderson Echejile was on the bench for 90 minutes of Standard Liege’s 3-3 draw away to Kortrijk.

Henry Onyekuru was in action for 83 minutes, while George Jamabo and Anthony Bassey were both substitutes sent on in the 87^th and 82^nd minutes respectively for AS Eupen in their 4-2 loss away to Waasland Beveren.

Also, Moses Simon was in action for 90 minutes, while compatriot Anderson Esiti was in action for just 46 minutes of Gent’s 3-0 win over Zulte-Waregem who had Kingsley Madu sent on as an 86th minute substitute.
In Israel, Anthony Nwakeame was on target in the 21^st minuite for his club side HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA, while compatriot John Ogu was in action for 62 minutes in their 5-0 win over Maccabi Petah Tivkah.

Dele Aiyenugba was in action for the entire duration of Hapoel Ashkelon’s 2-0 loss away to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

In Ukraine, Gabriel Okechukwu was on the bench for the entire duration of Karparty’s 1-1 draw at home to Dnipro. (NAN)

VO/LEA
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Edited by Idahosa Asowata

NAN-AE-12
Herders
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Sokoto State Chapter, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, has warned its members not to graze their livestock on farm lands.

The chairman gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Monday.

According to Magaji, they should shun any act that will create problem or lead to violence between them and farmers.

“At this period, all is needed to maintain the peace being restored by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to enhance the country’s socio-economic growth.

“Thus, when the cattle rearers stop their animals from entering farm lands, sanity would be ensued among the two parties.

“As we can see now, farmers are very busy harvesting their farm produce and they will finish doing so soon.”

Magaji also vowed to deal with any member found violating the laws, even as he noted that their members were always law abiding. (NAN)
MNB/BRM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
===============

NAN-HE-10
Market
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened for the week on Monday on a negative trend with market capitalisation dropping by N77 billion amid loses by blue chips.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation which opened at N9.569 trillion, lost N77 billion or 0.81 per cent to close at N9.492 trillion.

Also, the All-Share Index dipped 226.04 points or 0.81 per cent to close at 27,634.99 compared with 27,861.03 posted on Friday.

Dr Uche Uwaleke, the Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, attributed the development to investors’ reaction to the inflation rate figure released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for September.

Uwaleke told NAN in Lagos that high inflation rate would continue to rub off negatively on the stock market because rational investors seek positive real returns on their investments.

He added that “with real returns in a continuous negative territory following increasing headline inflation, investors’ appetite for stocks will be dampened.

“My prediction is that the stock market will be largely bearish in the weeks ahead.”

An analysis of the price movement chart indicated that Forte Oil recorded the highest loss, declining by N7.25 to close at N137.87 per share.

Seplat trailed with a loss of N5.88 to close at N380 and Nigerian Breweries dipped N4.65 to close at N144.05 per share.

Glaxosmithkline was down by 91k to close at N17.48, while Cadbury’s depreciated by 78k to close at N14.89 per share.

Conversely, Wema Bank led the gainers’ table, growing by 4k to close at 66k per share.

Africa Prudential Registrar also gained 4k to close at N2.72 and FCMB Group appreciated by 3k to close at N1.14 per share.

Wapic Insurance grew by 2k to close at 52k, while Skye Bank gained 1k to close at 63k per share.

NAN also reports that the value of shares traded was below one billion naira mark as investors’ staked N778.44 million on 255.81 million shares transacted in 2,588 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 220.85 million shares valued at N1.53 billion traded in 2,381 deals on Friday.

Law Union and Rock emerged the most traded, trading 100.012 million shares worth N70.01 million.

Transcorp followed with an exchange of 49.56 million shares valued at N49.62 million, while Costain traded 32.06 million shares worth N16.03 million.

FBN Holdings accounted for 15.37 million shares valued at N46.03 million and United Bank for Africa sold 10.12 million shares worth N42.84 million. (NAN)
JNC/FF/HA
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Lawmaker donates N800,000 to widows, others in Nasarawa State
NAN-H-62
Cash
Doma (Nasarawa State)Oct.17, 2016 (NAN) A Nasarawa State assemblyman, representing Doma South Constituency,  Mr Akoza James-Dangana on Monday donated N800,000 to 80 widows and other women to improve their standard of living.

James-Dangana, also the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said the gesture was part of his late wife, Ann Dangana’s promise to empower widows and women of his constituency during the campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Deaconess Ann Dangana died on Oct. 16, 2015.

He said that instead of remembering her with a thanksgiving in a church, he decided to accomplish her desire to empower widows and women of his constituency with cash.

“I have decided to empower 80 widows, and other women, 20 each from the four electoral wards that make up my constituency, namely Rukubi, Akpanaja, Doka and Agbashi, to benefit from my late wife, Dangana Widows/Women Empowerment programme.

“This little cash of N10, 000 each is to empower you in my little way to overcome your economic challenges as well as to enable you to start small trade and better your standard of living.

“Everybody is aware of what I have done so far to better the standard of living of my constituents and I promise to do more through initiating people-oriented projects,” he said.

James-Dangana also promised the people a robust and quality representation and solicited their support to enable him to succeed.

He urged them and Nigerians at large, to be law-abiding, respect constituted authorities and shun negative tendencies at all times, in the interest of peace and national development.

The Commissioner for Community and Rural development in the state, Alhaji Mustapha Yahaya-Idris, and Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Doma Local Government, Danlami Ogah , commended the lawmaker for the gesture, describing it as first of its kind.

They urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously to better their standard of living.

The duo called on the people of the constituency and Nigerians to continue to support the All Progressives Congress administration.(NAN)

BAB/CEO/IA
========

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Stakeholders collaborate to harness south-west investment potentials

NAN-HE-15
Investment

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Mr Yinka Fatoki, Executive Secretary, Bureau of Public Private Partnership(BPPP), Oyo State, has said that the south west, particularly the state, will soon become a prime destination of investment.

He said this at an investment certification training on “Nigeria Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS)”, in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is facilitated by Department for International Development (DFID), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and UKAID.

Fatoki said that the programme would strengthen and enhance the capacity of state governments in facilitating investments.

He said that the programme would help in streamlining the process and have the state certified as a prime destination of investment, alongside others in the south west.

“This programme is a competitive process and will have the states ranked based on the availability of investment environment. It is a big assignment that must be embraced and utilised across MDAs.

“Oyo State is well endowed and located. We are ready to harness the huge potentials we have and make the state prime destination of investment in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Trevor Killen, the NICPS Marketing and Information Standards Consultant from Growth and Employment in States (GEMS), said that the country had huge economy and potentials to harness.

Killen, who is from Northern Ireland, said that the essence of the NICPS was to basically help the DAWN states have better capability and capacity to promote foreign direct investment.

“This will be by improving the state’s ability to provide information to investors, market the state and provide better services, considering their various endowments and potentials

“This is my fourth week in Nigeria. I am delighted being here and look forward to working with Nigeria, especially the DAWN commission states as investments haven,” he said.

Mr Femi Ogundero, the Head, Regional Investment Advisory and Access Bureau, DAWN Commission, said that the programme was facilitated to make the states investor-ready and certified as investment haven.

Ogundero, who described the south-west states as the investment and development hub of the country, said that the they would witness huge inflow of investments if all efforts were galvanised.

NAN reports that the NICPS programme will be held in the six states of the south west region.(NAN)

TAA/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

World Food Day: Association urges govt to pay attention to climate change

NAN-AE-9
Food
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) The African Young Farmers Association (AYFA) has urged government at all levels to pay greater attention to climate change to address poverty and hunger in the country.

The National President of AYFA, Mr Bakare Oladimeji, gave the advice at a news conference to mark the World Food Day in Abuja on Monday

The theme of the World Food Day is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too’’

Oladimeji said climate change had adverse effect on foods production and security.

According to him, the issue of climate change deserve prompt attention to address poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

Oladimeji said the Nigerian population including farmers, fishers and pastoralists had been hit hardest by higher temperatures and weather related disasters.

“To effectively mitigate unpleasant consequences of climate change in Nigeria, there is need for adaptation of modern farming techniques, which will enable the country to grow food in a sustainable way.

“ This means, we need to adapt practices that produce more with less in same area of land and also use natural resources wisely.

“ We will also need to reduce losses before final product or retail stage through a number of initiatives including better harvesting, storage, packing, transport, market, mechanism, institutional and legal frameworks,’’ he said.

The association president said the Federal Government had done well in prioritising agriculture as a vital tool for alleviating poverty and hunger in Nigeria, and as a major key to reviving the economy.

“In spite of the importance of agriculture as major driving force of our economy, the sector was still being starved of adequate attention and investment, in particular budgetary allocation to the sector.

“ To make success in the sector, let the proper justice be melted on anyone found culpable of stealing or looting little budget allocated to the sector as fight against corruption is the major focus of this administration.

“ Government at all levels need to establish good policies and also put in place practicable programmes that can address the various challenges being encountered by farmers and agric entrepreneurs.’’

Oladimeji appealed to the governments to find a lasting solution to the problems between farmers and cattle rearers in Nigeria, adding that the level of killings and destruction of lives and property was counterproductive.

He urged governments to develop policies that could further stimulate private investment in the Nigeria’s agriculture and food production sector.

According to him, availability and accessibility of farmlands in the country are major problems because the only way to develop agriculture is to ensure access to farmland to increase production and solve the food insecurity.

“ Million youths including graduates are ready to take up agricultural production but they cannot get a sizeable farmland.

“ Youths need governments to help them solve this issue among others, so that they can achieve their dreams in agriculture. (NAN)
ROK/ADA/AFA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Felix Ajide
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NAN-AE-10
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday morning.
NiMet gave the predictions in its Weather Outlook issued by the Central Forecast Office (CFO) in Abuja on Monday.
It stated that thunderstorms were expected over Abuja, Lafia, Bida, Kaduna, Lokoja and Jos in the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 31 to 34 degrees celsius.
The agency predicted that the southern states would experience localised morning rains over the inland and coastal cities hours with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over Ibadan, Nsukka, Abakaliki, Oshogbo, Akure and Enugu.
It also predicted localised thunderstorms over Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Eket and Benin in the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 28 to 33 degrees celsius.
NiMet predicted that northern states would experience hazy conditions over Gusau, Katsina, Nguru, Kano, Dutse and Maiduguri in the morning hours.
It added that the region would experience sunny conditions later in the day with maximum temperatures of 34 to 39 degrees celsius.
“Hazy to sunny conditions over the extreme northern parts are expected with prospects of thunderstorms in the central and southern cities in the next 24 hours,’’ it said. (NAN)
OYS/ADA/AFA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-61
Rescue
Kano, Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Kano State Fire Service on Sunday rescued two children who fell into well in the city, the Director of the service, Alhaji Mustapha Rilwan, has said.

Rilwan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kano that one of the children, one-year-old baby fell into a well in Rimin Kebe area in Ungogo Local Government Area.

He said that the incidence happened around 8 am when the baby, named Zainab Mustapha, was playing around the well in her parents’ residence.

“Her mother called their neighbours, who alerted the fire service, who in turn mobilised its staff to the scene and rescued the victim.

“Men of the fire service conveyed the child to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital where she was confirmed unconscious,” he said.

Rilwan said that in the afternoon of the same day at Panishua Mantaka Quarters, Faiza Aliyu, 11 year-old-girl went to fetch water in a well close to her parent’s residence and fell inside.

“A Good Samaritan noticed what happened and alerted men of the fire service.

“We quickly mobilised our vehicle to the scene and rescued her alive; she was taken to a nearby clinic for treatment,” he said.

The Director advised residents of the city to raise the edge of their wells to prevent such ugly incident. (NAN)

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

UN Habitat conference due to start in Quito

NAN-F-13
Conference
Quito, Oct. 17, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Representatives from 180 states on Monday are to take part in the UN’s Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, which is due to start in the Ecuadorean capital of Quito.

The conference, dubbed Habitat 3, is the third such global meeting, the first two having been held in 1976 and 1996.

On the agenda, participants are expected to discuss on how to deal with urbanisation over the next 20 years.

Today 54.5 per cent of the world population lives in cities.

As cities are responsible for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, the use of environmentally friendly transport systems and green energy will be key to reducing the pollution that leads to global warming.

The discussions on reducing emissions are expected to contribute to the Paris climate change deal, which aims to limit global warming to under two degrees Celsius.

The Quito meeting is also expected to discuss controlling the growth of slums on the edges of mega-cities. The squeezing out of poor city dwellers is a worldwide problem.

The conference, which is due to be opened by UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, is scheduled to run until Thursday.

A non-binding new “Urban Agenda” is expected to act as guidelines for planners and decision makers when it comes to urban development in the coming decades.

Some 40,000 people are expected to take part in Habitat 3, including many non-governmental organisations and scientists. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)