Blog

Jubilation as Ooni wears Aare crown for first time

NAN-H-72
Aare
By Elusogbon Dorcas
Ile-Ife (Osun), Oct 15, 2016 (NAN) The ‎Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, put on the sacred Aare crown on Saturday in Ile-Ife, Osun, for the first time amidst jubilations and local gun salute by the natives.

Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, performed the symbolic trip from Ile Oodua, his palace to Oke Mogun shrine, to mark this year’s Olojo Festival, being the first time he would participate in the festival as Ooni.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olojo Festival holds annually in Ile Ife, to mark creation of the universe and “Are crown” a special crown made of 151 items.

It is wore only during the celebration of the festival and was adorned by Ooni.

Decked in all white apparel, Oba Ogunwusi, had been in seclusion for 5 days.

He left his residence for Oke Mogun around 4: 30p.m for the final rites before he wore mystic “Are” crown.

At exactly 5 p.m. Oba Ogunwusi, emerged with Are crown holding a white dove, amidst prayers and several gunshots which began with the journey to Oke Mogun and Idi Aje.

Two major ports of call during Olojo Festival where rituals and prayers were said for the peace of Nigeria and Yoruba race.

Are crown, according to sources, in Ooni’s palace weighs 100 kg, last made the trip to Oke Mogun several years ago.

“ Because the late Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade, owing to his advance age in last 3 years of his reign did not wear Are crown even during the celebration of Olojo.

On the procession of Ooni to Oke Mogun were Ife chiefs, priests and members of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, as well as indigenes and tourists from different parts of world.

Before Ooni commenced the trip, his messengers, who wore only shorts, wielding cane performed the symbolic sprint to Oke Mogun three times to clear the route the monarch would take.

NAN reports that the festival was peaceful, as all and sundry were in celebration mood, praying for the progress and development of the Yoruba race and the country at large. (NAN)
EDA/GOM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-67

Neglect

By Emmanuel Acha

Aninri (Enugu), Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, said former Gov. Sullivan Chime’s administration in Enugu state, neglected  the people of Aninri Local Government Area for eight years.

Speaking on Saturday in Aninri during the flag-off of nine rural projects funded by the state government, Ekweremadu said that the Chime’s tenure was the darkest in the lives of Aninri people.

He said that during the period, the state government had no presence in the entire council, adding that projects executed in the area were by the federal and local governments.

“Eight years ago all development projects in this area were done by the federal and local governments, but we now have a governor that is ready to work for our people.

“Between 2007 and 2015, no indigene of Aninri was employed in the state civil service and from statistics, we have the least number of civil servants in the state,” he said.

The deputy senate president said that the local government area had only 400 workers in the state service, adding that no permanent secretary was from the area.

“This neglect of our people for eight years was that bad but God has raised someone who will raise us.

“For instance, at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), we only have four staff members from Aninri while Udi, Awgu and Oji River Local Government Areas have 360, 85 and 60 staff, respectively, in the institution,” he said.

Ekweremadu said that it was the governor of the state, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who drew his attention to the anomalies, and said that the governor had taken steps to redress the ills.

“The governor has appointed our son as permanent secretary and another one as director of works in IMT. The state commissioner of works is also from Aninri and more are coming,” he said.

According to him, it is gratifying that our people are now feeling the impact of the state government and we will continue to support the governor.

Ekweremadu appealed to the people of the area to unite and move the place forward, adding that greater things were ahead. (NAN)

EOA/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

Army Sports Festival: 81 Div clinch gold in male volleyball

NAN-61

Gold

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The male volleyball team of the 81 Division, Lagos clinched the gold medal of the event at the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game played at the Package B, National Stadium, saw 81 Div., Lagos, defeat their 1 Div., Kaduna, counterparts 3-0 at the end of a one-sided encounter.

Team 81 Div. came into the game with 12 points, having won all of their four matches in the round robin stages, while their opponents had six points.

Thus, the 81 Div. team were mainly playing for pride and to ensure that they maintain a clean winning record.

For 1 Div., a win will have ensured that they finished on nine points and given them a chance for a podium finish.

However, 81 Div. was having none of that as they took all three sets, winning, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 to clinch the gold in style.

Levi Igbokwe was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match and tournament as his ferocious spikes ensured that he got a total of 65 points for 81 Div.

“First of all, we give glory to God for crowning all our efforts with success.

“We are very happy to have taken the ultimate prize in this event, even though this has been a tradition for us since the inception of the Army Sports festival.

“Also, winning the MVP award has been a normal thing. We have never settled for anything less,” Igbokwe said.

NAN recalls that 2 Div., Ibadan, had earlier taken the silver medal, while AHQ settled for bronze.

In the female category, 1 Div., Ibadan, with 12 points won gold, while 2 Div., Ibadan, with nine points and 81 Div.,Lagos, with three points took silver and bronze, respectively.

NAN reports that the sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)

VO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-66
Suspension
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Kwara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the party’s Chairman in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Alhaji Suleiman Balah.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Buhari, made this public in a statement on Saturday in Ilorin.

He said the suspension became inevitable owing to Balah’s deliberate insubordination and wilful sabotage of lawful party directive.

The suspension order, he said, takes immediate effect.

He said the next ranking officer of the party had been directed to take over the leadership of the party in the local government.

Buhari urged members of the APC in the state to be steadfast and rededicate themselves to the party’s good ideals and leadership.(NAN)
OOH/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Shi’ites, youths clash again in Kaduna, police vow to deal with lawlessness

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Shi’ites

Kaduna ,Oct 15, 2016 (NAN) The Kaduna State Police Command on Saturday warned that it would deal with those taking the law into their hands.

The warning is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman, in Kaduna

The statement said the command observed that some members of the public had become lawless and acted in manners detrimental to law and order and in total disregard to rights of other citizens.

The Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Lemu, said the maintenance of law and order would not be compromised and anybody found committing acts detrimental to the peace of the society would face the music.

“The public are also warned to desist from taking laws into their hands as any attempt to commit unruly behaviours would be visited with the full wrath of the law.

Usman advised the public to remain calm as the command was committed to the safety and security of lives and property.

NAN reports that some members of the public suspected to belong to the banned Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly called Shi’ites, clashed with youths in some parts of Kaduna metropolis.

The areas affected by the crisis include Tudun Wada, Kinkinau, Kabala West and other communities on the Nnamdi Azikwe Byepass, as shop owners locked their shops while residents remained indoor for fear of the unknown.

Aready the police have been deployed there and stationed at strategic locations to curtail break down of law.

It could be recalled that on Wednesday, three people died in Kaduna when some youths stormed the residence of the Shi’ite leader in Tudun Wada area, set it ablaze and demolished the Islamic school belonging to th sect.

The Kaduna State Government on Thursday also condemned the mob action, describing it as clearly lawless.(NAN)

TJ/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
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NAN-H-63

Cancer‎

By Amen Gajira

Minna, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN)‎ The Wife of Niger State Governor, Dr Amina Bello, has called on Nigerians to go for regular screening for cancer to stem the increasing rate of deaths by the disease.

She said that early detection and prevention of the scourge was the only way to fight it.

Bello, who is founder of Raise Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation engaged in health and girl-child education, stated this on Saturday in Minna during a “Walk for Cancer Awareness’’.

She described cancer as one of the leading causes of death globally, and announced that the foundation had opened screening centres in the three senatorial districts in the state.

She said that the step was to help in early detection and prevention of the dreaded disease and tame it.

According to the governor’s wife, the essence of the awareness walk is to alert people about cancer and how it can be prevented.

“The five kilometres walk which will be sustained is the best for everyone.

“I tell you this, before some people come to the hospital, they are already looking sickly such that it will be difficult to perform any surgical operation on them.

“Early detection is the best and so, everyone must go for cancer screening,” she said.

She identified aging as one of the fundamental factors for the development of cancer, in addition to cancer-causing behaviours. ‎

Bello singled out tobacco smoking as the greatest avoidable factor for cancer mortality worldwide, saying it accounted for an estimated 22 per cent of all cancer deaths across the globe, annually.

She suggested among other things, the elimination of tobacco smoking, which accounted for about 70 per cent of all lung cancer, as one of the best prevention strategies for the ailment.‎

She also advocated quitting unhealthy lifestyle, reduction or elimination of alcohol to prevent the life threatening disease.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal ‎University of Technology, Minna, ‎Prof. Musbau Akanji, said the exercise as timely.

Akanji pledged that the university would partner with the foundation to achieve its objectives.
‎
He disclosed that the university had lost some of its staff to the dreaded disease in recent time. (NAN)

AMEN‎/IAA/OPI

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and Olisa Ifeajika

Enugu Govt commences N2.1bn rural development projects

NAN-H-60

Projects

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Government on Saturday has commenced its N2.1 billion rural development projects in all the 17 local government areas of the state.

The Commencement ceremony took place simultaneously at the various projects sites across the state on Saturday.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, performed the ceremony at Udi Local Government Area of the state.

Ugwuanyi said that his administration was not unmindful of the importance of rural development in the socio-economic advancement of the people,  strressing that such projects would get to all communities in the state.

He reiterated that the government had no hand in the choice of projects, adding that the various local government areas were instructed to agree on the projects to be executed in their councils.

He charged the contractors handling the various projects to execute the job professionally and on schedule.

“Our government recognises the importance of rural development and when you provide good roads and light to the people it naturally ushers in development,” Ugwuanyi said.

At Aninri Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Works, Chief Patrick Ikpenwa, who performed the ceremony, said that no fewer than 166 contractors bided for the projects.

Ikpenwa said that 134 of the contractors that bided qualified but the state government only selected 35 to execute the first phase of the jobs.

He noted that over 35 new projects, including roads, buildings, borehole and electricity were being executed in the first phase, which he said, would cost N2.1 billion.

“This is the first time in the history of the state that there are concerted efforts by government to involve the people in the process of project selection based on their immediate needs.

“Communities were these projects are sited are urged to own the projects, protect them and make sure government gets value for money spent on them,” Ikpenwa said.

The commissioner said that the projects were scheduled to be completed in December, 2016, adding that the phase two would be launched in 2017.

Ikpenwa said that resident engineers from his ministry would be deployed to project sites to monitor what the contractors were doing.

One of the contractors and a representative of Finotech Construction Company, Mr Tony Ikem, said that they would do their best to deliver quality jobs and on schedule.

In a goodwill message, the member representing Aninri Local Government Area in the State Assembly, Chief Mathias Ekweremadu, said that contractors must work according to specifications or face the wrath of the people.

Ekweremadu, who is the Chief Whip in the state assembly, said that the period contractors did shoddy jobs in the state and got away with them was over.

“You must do the job according to specification or we will go the extra mile ensure you refund whatever is paid to you,” Ekweremadu said.

NAN reports that no fewer than nine different projects being the highest in any of the council areas were approved for Aninri Local Government Area.

The state government had made a commitment to execute projects worth of N300 million in each local government area in its rural development drive. (NAN)

EOA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-5
Volleyball
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The male volleyball team of the 81 Division, Lagos and female team of 1 Div., Kaduna on Saturday were crowned winners of the event at the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game played at the Package B, National Stadium, Abuja saw 81 Div., Lagos defeat their 1 Div., Kaduna counterparts 3-0 at the end of a one-sided encounter.
Team 81 Div. came into the game with 12 points, having won all of their four matches in the round robin stages, while their opponents had six points.
81 Division Team was mainly playing for pride and to ensure that they maintain a clean winning record.
For 1 Div., a win would have ensured that they finished on nine points and given them a chance for a podium finish.
However, 81 Div. was having none of that as they took all three sets, winning, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 to clinch the gold in style.
Levi Igbokwe was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match and tournament as his ferocious spikes ensured that he got a total of 65 points for 81 Div.
“First of all, we give glory to God for crowning all our efforts with success.
“We are very happy to have taken the ultimate prize in this event, even though this has been a tradition for us since the inception of the Army Sports festival.
“Also, winning the MVP award has been a normal thing. We have never settled for anything less,” Igbokwe said.
NAN recalls that 2 Div., Ibadan had earlier taken the silver medal, while AHQ settled for bronze.
In the female category, 1 Div., Ibadan with 12 points won gold, while 2 Div., Ibadan with nine points and 81 Div.,Lagos with three points took silver and bronze respectively.
NAN reports that the sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)
VO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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2016 CAF African Player: Mikel, Musa Iheanacho among nominees

NAN-S-6

Nominees

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria’s trio of John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho were on Saturday named among 30 nominees for the 2016 CAF African Player of the Year Award.

According to the list posted on the website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the three Nigerians would be in contention at the award ceremony scheduled for Jan. 5, 2017 in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three Super Eagles players will vie for the award with other top African stars like Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, Andre Ayew of Ghana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon.

NAN reports that Mikel, who captains the Eagles and plies his trade at Chelsea of London, led the Nigerian Dream Team to win a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

On his part, Musa helped his former team CSKA Moscow to win the Russian title before moving to England in July to join reigning English champions, Leicester City, while Iheanacho is in Manchester City’s first team.

For the Award of African Player of the year based in Africa, two Nigerians also made the list of 25 nominees for the award.

The nominees are Mfom Udo of Enyimba FC of Aba and Chisom Chikatara of Wydad Athletic Club, Casablanca, Moroco. (NAN)

BAY/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-S-3
Training
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Athletes at the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival have called on the Nigerian Army to organise more training programmes and competitions for them to ensure better performance.
Some of the athletes, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the training would help them not only to do the Nigerian Army proud but also take Nigeria to enviable heights in sports.
Pte Awwal Hudu of 82 Div., Enugu who finished in an impressive time of 1.04.30 seconds to clinch the gold medal in the 21 km half marathon race expressed happiness over his performance.
“It was a nice race and the result of a three-month intensive training.
“I am very grateful to my coach and my superiors, who approved an early release for me and my colleagues to train.
“This ensured that we performed above expectation and made our division as well as the Nigerian Army proud,’’ Hudu said.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for giving him the opportunity to showcase his talent, while urging them to do more in terms of organising more training programmes and competitions for the athletes.
“These trainings and competitions are very essential ingredients to any athletes’ growth and development in the sports,’’ he said.
Also corroborating with Hudu’s views, Naomi Yunana of 3 Div., Jos who clinched gold in an impressive time of 1.21.07 secs in the half marathon female category said her goal was to be a national hero.
“I would like to be like the Chioma Ajunwa’s of this world, who became the first Nigerian and West African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta 1996 for the country.
“But this can only be possible if we the athletes are exposed to more training both locally and abroad.
“This will go a long way in ensuring that we not only represent our country, but also break national and international records in future,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the Sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Saturday. (NAN)
VO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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