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2019 Elections: Fake news, hate speech pose serious threats, say media executives

Threats
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Some media executives have identified fake news and hate speech as serious threats to the 2019 General Elections and Nigeria’s democracy in general.

Mr Michael Oluwole, the Acting Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Jones Emechebe, FRCN South-South Zonal Director, and Mr Tony Anigala, the Zonal Director, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), spoke on these issues.

Oluwole, Emechebe and Anigala spoke at a two-day programme organised by the FRCN South-South Zonal office on Monday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “2019 General Elections: Tackling Fake News and Hate Speech through Responsive Political Broadcast”.

They advised journalists to shun pecuniary gains aimed at spreading false news and hate speech ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Oluwole noted that general elections come with their own challenges but added that fake news and hate speech, which he described as “two twins evils”, had become serious threats.

“These are the two most challenging contemporary problems that face all of us as news producers in this country.

“Fake news and hate speech have come to dominate the air space due to the prevalence of the social media, which have had a very negative effect on the polity.

“I will only say that it is therefore apt, as we prepare for the elections, that we recognise this twin problems as capable of having effects on our proper and correct coverage of the polls,” Oluwole said.

On his part, Emechebe urged journalists to help stimulate national, international, socio-economic and global understanding on these twin challenges.

He said that they must not only double check every information but also detach themselves from politicians.

He further advised journalists to avoid unnecessary self-censorship, balance their stories and use decent language in conveying their reports.

“We cannot use our platform to become purveyors of fake news and hate speech or broadcast inciting stories and reports that cannot be verified.”

Similarly, Anigala urged media practitioners to propagate the culture of promoting unity.

He advised media owners and practitioners to always confine themselves within the rules and regulations governing the practice.

Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, Dr Ambrose Uchenunu, said fake news and hate speech should not be encouraged under whatever guise.

“The media should not because of pecuniary gains help spread fake news and hate speech.”

Uchenunu advised media owners to be alive to their responsibility by critically examining information put out for public consumption.(NAN)
ESI/OOA/NKO
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Nkechi Okoronkwo

2018 Independence Anniversary: NAF begins rehearsals for Aerial Display in Abuja

Anniversary
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept.17, 2018(NAN) The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will carry out aerial display as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 58th Anniversary in Abuja.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

” Consequently, there will be movement of NAF aircraft within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from now till Oct.2 , as NAF pilots commence rehearsals for the occasion,” he said.

He said that Fighter aircraft would be flying at low level during the rehearsals.

” The NAF, therefore, wishes to advise members of the public not to panic but to go about their normal businesses,” Daramola said.(NAN)

ORD/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Profit taking: NSE market capitalisation drops by N46bn
Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday maintained the downward trend with the market capitalisation shedding N46 billion due to profit taking by investors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation lost N46 billion or 0.39 per cent to close at N11.756 trillion from the N11.802 trillion achieved on Friday.

The All-Shares Index, which opened at 32,327.59, also dropped 125.61 points or 0.39 per cent to close at 32,201.98 following price losses by some blue chips.

Nestle recorded the highest price loss of N20 to close at N1,350 per share.

Guinness lost N1.90 to close at N86, while Mobil Oil dipped by N1 to close at N179 per share.

GTBank lost 80k to close at N33.95, while Stanbic shed 75k to close at N41.50 per share.

Conversely, Forte Oil led the price gainers’ table, gaining N1.50 to close at N19 per share, while Access Bank followed with a gain of 30k to close at N8.10.

Zenith Bank appreciated by 20k to close at N20.25, while FlourMills added 15k to close at N19.15 per share.

Access Bank emerged the investors’ delight as its 24.01 million shares worth N288.41 million were traded in 127 deals.

GTBank followed with 23.69 million shares valued at N170.84 million traded in 216 deals, while Zenith Bank traded 10.32 million shares worth N781.12 million in 261 deals.

International Breweries had 6.91 million shares valued at N195.59 million traded in 13 deals, while FBN Holdings transacted 6.91 million shares worth N57.28 million in 200 deals.

NAN reports that the volume of shares traded closed lower as 160.67 million shares valued at N2.15 billion were traded in 2,935 deals.

This was in contrast to the 252.19 million shares worth N4.73 billion exchanged in 3,120 deals on Friday. (NAN)
LUC/TÁ
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Africa

By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged  African states to work closely toward confronting the common development challenges before them.

Buhari said this in Abuja at the opening of the maiden edition of the International Association of Port and Harbours (IAPH), Africa Regional Conference organised by the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA).

Cue in audio (Buhari)

“Africa countries are facing the same developmental challenges as well as large human capital and natural endowments.

“We should therefore work together and deploy our resources towards confronting those challenges.

“Presently, one of the resources that we can proudly speak about as Africans is our maritime endowments.

“A situation in which at least 39 of the 54 countries on the continent are either littoral or island states makes the formulation of policies for the effective utilisation of our waters for the growth of our economies expedient.

“The theme of the conference: African Ports and Hinterland Connectivity is itself a testament of the determination of the organisers of the conference to collectively seek lasting solutions to the challenges that port operations face on the continent.”

Cue out audio

He said that the conference was timely as it was coming at a time that national leaders on the continent were pursuing the course of continental integration with all vigour.

“This, in a sense, seems to be a divine ordination of our desire for continental integration, even though we have physical national boundaries that separate us.

“The waters are a natural source of connectivity and they seem like a subtle message that we must work together for the good of all our countries.

“This is why there could be no better time than now to hold this conference.”

Speaking, the Managing Director, IAPH, Mr Patrick Verhoeven said that the mission of the association was to promote the interests of ports worldwide and to achieve it through strong collaboration with other stakeholders.

He said that the conference would serve the purpose of putting the mission of IAPH into practice by looking at the key issue of connectivity in Hinterland connection.

“The IAPH mission is to promote interests of ports worldwide, to achieve this, the IAPH forges strong member relationship, it encourages collaboration and information sharing to help resolve common issues,” he said.

Mr Julian Garcia, Head Facilties and Safety Division, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), said that the organisation was working towards better shipping and connectivity in the future.

He urged stakeholders to focus on the future and work together to address the challenges before the sector.

According to him, IAPH should create a significant impact by ensuring that member countries implement IMO regulations on the governance and sustainability of blue economy.

Blue economy refers to marine-based sustainable economic development which leads to improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. (NAN)

TY/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Farmers
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Sept. 17, 2018, (NAN) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday gave indications that more strategies aimed at uplifting rural farmers from poverty would be designed as part of its corporate social responsibility to the society.

CBN’s Development Finance Officer, (DFO) Ado Ekiti office, Mr Sowunmi Sogunle disclosed at a 5-Day Training on Agricultural Value Chains Upgrade Services for National, Regional and Global Competitiveness, in Ado Ekiti.

The training was organided by the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing  System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), an offshoot of CBN.

According to Sogunle, the problems facing the average Nigerian farmer in the remote village is of paramount concern to the bank.

“NIRSAL plays a key role in CBN intervention programmes, including the Anchor Borrowers Programme, which focused at small holder farmers in rural communities.

“This is being done in order to boost their production, create employment and boost the Gross Domestic Product.

“NIRSAL, through us, has done quite a lot for the agricultural Value-Chain in Nigeria by reaching out to the rural communities to create awareness on agricultural practice and opportunities.

“This has helped reduce financial exclusion in their areas,” he said.

Project Monitoring, Reporting and Recommendation Officer of NIRSAL in Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Ashade, also observed that the principal factors destroying farmers’ fortunes in the country was poor attitude of consumers to locally grown foods especially rice.

He enjoined farmers to cultivate the habit of forming themselves into groups or cooperatives so as to benefit more from government programmes and policies initiated for thier upliftment.

According to him, the goal of NIRSAL is to trigger an agrucultural industrialisation process through increased production and processing of greater part of what is produced on the farm to boost economic earnings. (NAN)
ARIS/KTO/IS
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ismail Abdulaziz

Customs service impounds 1,270 bags of foreign rice in Katsina state in 2 weeks
Seizure
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Sept. 17, 2018(NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone B, says it seized 1,270 bags of foreign rice in two weeks in Katsina state.
Mr Mustapha Sarkin-Kebbi, the Comptroller FOU, Zone B, disclosed this during a news briefing on Monday in Katsina.
Sarkin-Kebbi said the unit also impounded 200 bales of second-hand clothes as well as 70 bags of foreign sugar and 80 cartons of foreign spaghetti during the period.
He said 26 vehicles suspected to have been used to convey the items by the smugglers were also been seized.
Sarki-Kebbi explained that the items had Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N128 million, adding that they were impounded along the Jibiya border.
“Katsina is a border state, it has large borders naturally, you expect more of such to happen here than in other states.
“We acted on intelligence information and arrested the suspects.
“The FOU Zone B operatives don’t mount check-point in the hinterland,’’ he said.
Sarkin-Kebbi stressed that the NCS would continue to enlighten border communities on the dangers associated with smuggling.
He said what smugglers are doing is inimical to the economy and the development of the country, adding that some of the border communities do not know the dangers associated with smuggling.
“We will let them know that they can earn a living without resorting to smuggling,’’ Sarkin-Kebbi said.
He added that operatives also arrested six persons in connection with smuggling activities during the period.(NAN)
ZI/KTO/ABI
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ali Inuwa

Women
Aisha Ahmed
Kano Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITAD), has expressed concern over the low participation and access of women to information on the Internet.

The Centre’s Programme Assistant, Malama Maryam Haruna made this known at a news conference on Monday ahead of the Internet Global Forum (IGF) forum to be held on Sept. 18.

Haruna said that the centre would utilise the Internet Global Forum (IGF) for women to propose for a national Gender Digital Inclusion to bridge gender digital divide on the Internet.

She explained that the IGF was a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues on Internet governance, which inspired policy makers to exchange ideas and good practices.

“The forum is an annual event which facilitates common understanding of how to maximise Internet opportunities thus  addressing the risks and challenges that may arise.”

Haruna said that access to Internet was important for women to be able to gain information which might not be available to them ordinarily.

She decried the low participation of Nigerian women, especially Northern women on the Internet.

“The ratio of male to female at the global IGF is 50:50 but it is  90:10 in Nigeria, ‘’ she disclosed.

Haruna stressed the need for specific approaches in addressing the challenges related to women’s access to information on the Internet as well as knowing Internet policies of the country.

She said that CITAD aimed to promote women’s participation in the IGF to increase the number of representation of women and provide Avenue for policy formulation.

NAN reports that the centre is organising the first Women Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria to be held from Sept. 19 to Sept. 19 in Abuja.

The forum aimed at bridging gender gaps in accessing information and Internet policies, especially as it affects Nigerian women.  (NAN)
AAA /GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Police arrest 3 transformer vandals in Niger
Arrest
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Sept.17, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Niger state on Monday said it had arrested a three-man gang, suspected to be responsible for vandalism of transformers in Tunga, in Chanchaga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammadu Abubakar, made the disclosure in a statement in Minna.
He said the suspects were arrested by police detectives attached to Tudun Wada Division for vandalism of a transformer at Kolawole road in Tunga.
According to him, the suspects confessed to the crime during investigation.
“Exhibits recovered include eight pieces of armored cables valued at N1.2 million.”
Abubakar assured the public that the police would continue to protect lives and property in the state.
He solicited the support of residents by giving useful and timely information to security agencies in the state for prompt action.( NAN)
AAG/FLP/ABI
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Ali Inuwa

Wellness
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Adetutu Afolabi, Executive Director of Wellness Health Management Organisation (WellnessHMO), has called for more education on the benefits of health insurance plans to prevent financial frustrations associated with emergency healthcare needs of Nigerians.

Afolabi made the call at a programme tagged ‘Wellness for Life’, organised by WellnessHMO in collaboration with Hadassah Healing Foundation, in Lagos.

She said that awareness and acceptance of health insurance plans in the country was low, compared to the adoption of same plans in other African countries such as Kenya and Ghana.

According to her, many Nigerians are unable to access health care due to poverty, resulting in deaths from curable diseases because they cannot pay.

”Even with limited resources and competing social demands, the ideal of health for all is a compelling moral objective and should be pursued with all vigour.

”There is the need for more education on the benefits of health insurance plans and how it can be included in individual and organisations’ financial planning.

”Many Nigerians are not aware that with little money, they can access quality healthcare. This is where education and enlightenment is key, to prevent financial frustrations associated with emergency healthcare needs,” Afolabi  said.

She said there was the need for organisations such as HMOs to partner with government and educate Nigerians more on health insurance plans.

”In a society that is permeated with so many helpless people, not just in terms of feeding and housing, but also in regard to accessing quality health care, help should be given by organisations and well-meaning individuals who have the ability.

”This is why we felt that as a way of giving back to the society, we can adopt three women and take care of their health needs for life, instead of a one-off experience with Wellness.

“When a woman is empowered, her community flourishes; women are the pillars of the nation

”We have been partnering with Hadassah foundation — a women empowerment platform —  since 2015, where we educate women and select our beneficiaries via a yearly raffle draw.

” Each of the women gets a Wellness For Life certificate to access healthcare without hitch.

”We will not stop at three. We hope to increase the number of beneficiaries yearly, and we encourage other organisations to emulate this, so we can improve on our healthcare system,” Afolabi said. (NAN)

LAW/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

2019: Saraki in Lagos, says only visionary leadership can turn Nigeria around

Leadership

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Monday urged Nigerians to vote leaders not according to sentiments, but capacity and vision to bring about change.

Saraki, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, made the statement in Lagos while addressing party members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit to the party secretariat was in continuation of his nationwide tour of state chapters to garner support for his aspiration.

Saraki was accompanied on the visit by Sen. Dino Melaye; a former minister, Alhaji Muhammed Wakil; and former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Wada.

A former Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity and Director-General of Saraki Campaign Organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe, was also with him.

The Senate President said that great nations, including the Asian Tigers, were built by visionary leadership, saying Nigeria would be better if entrusted in capable hands.

“We should stop using sentiments to vote for our leaders because a man cannot give what he does not have.

“Most of us here read about great countries including the Asian Tigers; all their achievements do not happen by chance or luck.

“They happened because there are visionary leaderships in those countries.

“So, it is time for Nigerians to vote for leaders who have the capacity, the courage, and knows what he wants to do for his people,” he said.

Saraki said he was seeking to lead the country out of the need to serve and deliver the dividends of democracy.

The Senate president said he had the capacity, the experience and the youthfulness to turn the country around.

He said that he was the best and the only sure one to deliver out of all the presidential aspirants across the parties.

Saraki decried the killings in parts of the country and other challenges in the country, saying it was the responsibility of all citizens to address them.

He promised to make the issues history, if elected to lead the country.

On restructuring, Saraki said there was the need for powers to devolve to the states to make them more viable.

He said the over-concentration of powers in the centre had stifled the development of the other federating units.

The Senate president expressed concerns that most aspirants who promised restructuring could not deliver, saying only somebody who could pursue the right legislative action and has the political sagacity could implement it.

“A lot of people come and tell you here that they can do restructuring.

“Restructuring is not one thing only a president can do, because it requires laws to be changed.

“Implementing restructuring requires somebody with the political sagacity to carry people along with him to the destination,” he said.

Saraki urged party delegates to see him as part of them and vote for him at the national convention.

He said Lagos had always remained with him, having spent his school years in the state and even married an indigene of Lagos.

The Senate president urged party members to congratulate themselves in advance, promising to do his best to ensure PDP wins Lagos for the first time.

Melaye, who also spoke at the event, told the party members that Saraki remained the best out of the aspirants seeking to lead Nigeria.

Addressing party members in Yoruba, the senator described the APC government as a failure, urging delegates to support the aspiration of Saraki.

Okupe similarly appealed for support for Saraki, saying he was the best man for the job.

The PDP Secretary in the state, Prince Muiz Dosunmu, commended Saraki, saying the chapter aligned with his vision to reposition the country.

NAN reports that the secretariat later turned to a singing and dancing arena as Melaye delighted those present with songs and dance steps to garner support for Saraki.(NAN)
BHB /SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle