Blog

Group passes vote of confidence on President Buhari

NAN-H-59

Group

Muhammad Adam

Yola, Oct. 15, 2016 ( NAN) An Adamawa-based Pen Group has passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari leadership style

The pen group is under the auspices of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The spokesman of group, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri. made this known at the end of its one-day meeting in Yola on Saturday.

Waziri said that the members of the APC in the state after the meeting unanimously agreed to form a group called “Pen Group ”

“We past a vote of confidence on APC Governments from local,state to Federal Government inline with the policies and programmed of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“And From today the group has resolved to support any person with people-oriented programme that have direct impact to the electorate.” Waziri said,

He said that the group was also ever ready to support any person that had zero tolerance for corruption and interest of Nigeria in his heart.

Waziri said that the group was impressed with leadership style of Buhari, especially fighting against corruption.

The participants in the forum, were the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr David Babachir, who was represented by Alhaji Mustafa Salihu.

The others were Special Advisor to President on Political Analysis, Alhaji Ibrahimm Bapatel and retired Gen. Buba Marwa, among others .(NAN)
AMA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-4

Marathon

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The male and female teams of 1 Division, Kaduna, on Saturday cleared the gold in the half marathon event in ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 21-kilometre race kicked off from the Mogadishu Cantonment all the way to AYA junction, down to Federal Secretariat through Aso Drive and back to Mogadishu Cantonment.

At the end of the men’s race, 1 Div., Kaduna won with a performance of 5.75, while 82 Div., Enugu with 8.25 and Army Headquarters (AHQ) with 13.25 finished second and third, respectively.

81 Div., Lagos with 13.75, 3 Div., Jos with 20.25 and 2 Div., Ibadan with 21.75 settled for the fourth, fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

In the women category, 1 Div., Kaduna posted an average performance of four and an overall time of 2.59.57 seconds to clinch the gold.

They were closely followed by 82 Div., Enugu, which posted an average performance of four, but had a slower time difference of 2.59.85 seconds to settle for silver.

The 2 Div., Ibadan team took home the bronze after posting an average performance of 4.5, while 3 Div., Jos with 7.5, AHQ with 8 and 81 Div., Lagos with 10.5 finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

In the individual male category, Pte Awwal Hudu of 82 Div., Enugu finished in an impressive time of 1.04.30 secs to clinch the gold medal.

Pte Sanusi also of 82 Div., Enugu with a time of 1.05.02 secs took the silver medal, while Pte Raymond Nanribet of 1 Div., Kaduna settled for the bronze.

The individual female category, saw Naomi Yunana of 3 Div., Jos clinch gold in an impressive time of 1.21.07 seconds, while Eunice Waje of 82 Div., Enugu ran the race in 1.25.32 seconds to take the silver.

Also, Unity Amos of 1 Div., Kaduna with a time of 1.26.31 settled for the bronze.

NAN reports that the games, which began on Oct. 8, will end on Saturday. (NAN)

VO/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

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Rural Women Day: Women Groups advocate economic empowerment for rural women

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Women
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) The President of Partnership for Rural Women Development in Nigeria, Hajiya Zainab Mohammed, on Saturday appealed to the Federal Government to empower the rural women economically to reduce poverty.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that some of the government policies regarding Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) should be made accessible to the rural women.

According to her, the Federal Government should recognise the crucial role being played by the rural women in sustaining the economy in terms of providing food.

“It is the rural women that go to the farm and add value to what the government is doing,’’ she said.

Mohammed said that the rural women contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) directly or indirectly.

She said the rural women are faced with discrimination, sexual exploitation, violence and lacks information.

Mohammed stressed the need for proper sensitisation on their fundamental rights and liberty in attaining their potentials.

She commended the rural women in the country for their contribution to the development, in spite of the economic recession, saying the rural women had contributed immensely to the Agricultural production.

The National Coordinator, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities, Mrs Patience Dickson said women with disabilities in the rural areas should not be excluded from decision making and basic needs of life.

“Women with disabilities are not given equal opportunities as their counterpart in the urban areas.

“The rural women are faced with more challenges compared with those in the urban areas,” she said.

Dickson said women in the rural areas should be given equal access to productive resources as they are have low income, sparse access to education and health services and limited job opportunities.

The Abuja coordinator of African Women Lawyers Association Nigeria (AWLAN), Mrs Olanike Bakrin said the government at all levels should ensure that rural women are given adequate attention to reduce the rural-urban migration by women.

She said the women constitute the largest population in the country, saying if given adequate opportunities they would perform better.

Bakrin said most rural communities were still faced with poor road, electricity, lack of pipe borne water and infrastructures, adding that government at all levels should address lack of basic amenities in rural areas.

NAN reports that the International Rural Women Day, observed every Oct. 15, was to honour the role played by the rural women.

It also recognises rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development. (NAN)
OEO/HS/AFA
Edited by Halima Sheji/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-56

Tragedy

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has urged the international community to urgently address “vast human tragedy” around the world, especially in Lake Chad Region.

The President of the group, Mr Peter Maurer, according to statement by its Media Unit in Abuja Office on Saturday, made the call at the completion of a two-day mission to Niger Republic.

Maurer called for more sustained and long-term international efforts to address the massive needs in the four countries affected by violence at the Lake Chad area.

He expressed concern over the deplorable condition of no fewer than 30, 000 displaced people in Garin Wanzam village in Diffa Region in Niger.

He said that the displaced persons, who were dependent on humanitarian aids, were still fearful of returning home.

“The village of Garin Wanzam is just one example of the vast human tragedy playing out across the entire Lake Chad region, where some 2.6 million people have been driven from their homes.

“And, over six million people are caught up in a daily struggle to put food on the table,” Maurer said.

He, therefore, called on all parties involved in the regional conflict to protect and respect civilians, detainees and the wounded, as per their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

“The sheer scale of the suffering here is unimaginable. War has rained chaos on millions of lives, separating families, lack of access to food, destroying water, education, shelter and health care.

“The scourge of sexual violence has left dreadful physical and psychological scars.

“Many people are stigmatised and met with distrust when they return to their communities, creating yet more division,” Maurer said.

He underlined ICRC’s willingness to continue supporting the people of Niger through its humanitarian programmes, and pledged that ICRC would strengthen humanitarian services in places of detention.

“Humanitarian aid cannot address the underlying grievances driving this conflict, while a military response alone cannot bring solution.

“To turn around the lives of millions of people in the Lake Chad region, we need to see greater commitment and concerted engagement from political leaders and the community.

“Governments in the region need enhanced international support,” Maurer stressed.

The statement said that Maurer met President of Niger, Mr Mahamadou Issoufou, and other government officials where they discussed the humanitarian situation of people affected by the violence.

The officials also discussed ways to improve the economic security of the people and protect them from the brunt of the conflict. (NAN)

IAA/ACO/OPI

Edited by Oluleye Abiodun and Olisa Ifeajika

Borno Govt plans empowering rural women with soft loans

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Women

By Ali Inuwa
Maiduguri, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Borno Government says it is planning to empower rural women with soft loans to enable them engage in business ventures.

The Director of Women Affairs, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, made the disclosure when she spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on International Day for Rural Women in Maiduguri on Saturday.

Kolo said that the object was to empower the women and enhance their living conditions.

She said “the state government has in the last few years implemented various programmes aimed at enhancing the living conditions of rural women

“We have assisted some of them with training in agriculture and supplied them with imputes and other implements,” she said.

Kolo expressed regrets that most rural women in the state live in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps due to Boko Haram insurgents.

“Since most of them are not in the villages now, we have decided to train them in various trades so they can stand on their own after returning home.

“We have been training them in tailoring, soap making, knitting and other skills, ” she said.

Kolo said that some of the women were also empowered with entrepreneurship skills to prepare them to become good business women.

“We plan to extend a micro trading credit scheme in the state to the rural women to further empower them.

“The scheme is actually part of the Federal Government women empowerment programmes extended to the state”.

Kolo said that government had entered into an agreement with the bank operating the scheme to relax some of the conditions attached to the scheme to make it easier for the rural women to access.(NAN)
ABI/OFN

Edited by /Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-50

Tourism

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) said it would support the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in promoting domestic tourism in the country.

A statement in Abuja by the NTDC on Saturday said that a Fellow of ICAN, Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, stated this at the closing of the 46^th Annual Accountant’s Conference in Abuja.

The statement signed by Grace Ukah, Assistant Head of Press of the corporation, quoted Ijewere as saying that ICAN would sponsor one page advertisement on comprehensive tourism sites monthly.

Ijewere, who was chairman at the occasion, commended NTDC for its commitment to making tourism a great source for the diversification of the nation’s economy.

He pointed out that tourism was the bedrock for economic development, and urged Nigerians, especially the business class, to invest and support the sector.

He also commended the Director-General of the corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, for her achievements in promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country and for strong advocacy on tourism as big source of revenue.

Earlier, Mbanefo had called on the Federal Government, the private sector and stakeholders to diversify the economy through domestic tourism for sustainable economic development.

“Now is the right time for government to diversify from a mono economy of crude oil to a multi-dimensional economy that will also be tourism-based through a pragmatic tourism policy.

“There is need to develop an all-encompassing tourism policy that will be sustainable, equitable and responsive so as to contribute more to the country’s economic development to raise the quality of life of the people,” she said.

Mbanefo said that it was imperative for Nigerians to promote and patronise local products, stressing that only Nigerians could sell Nigeria within and outside the country.

“My domestic tourism campaign is focused on encouraging Nigerians to travel within the country and experience the superb weather and festivals in various parts of the country.

“We should work and have our vacation more here, and it is even only a small percentage of Nigerians that can afford to go on vacation outside the country,” she said.

The director-general said that Nigeria was “work-in-progress’’, adding that the Federal Government was working diligently, day and night, to bring improvement to all sectors.

“After sacrifice come a better Nigeria; as day must come after night, so better times must follow times of struggle and sacrifice,” she added. (NAN)

EPA/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-49
Sanitary
By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti), Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) An Environmentalist, Tunde Famuyisan has urged government and relevant UN agencies to focus more in sensitising rural dwellers on the need to inculcate the habit of hand washing with soaps.

Famuyisan, who heads the Environment and Health Department, Ikole Local Government of Ekiti, stated this on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikole Ekiti, on 2016 Global Hand Washing Day.

He said that inculcating the hand washing habits among rural dwellers would reduce spate of cholera outbreak and other communicable diseases that characterised rural habitation.

He implored government to show greater commitment to hand washing awareness and to other hygienic practices in order to save people, especially children from dying through unhygienic practices.

He cautioned rural dwellers to embrace washing hands with soap after visiting toilet, before eating and also inculcate the habits in their children so as to protect them from germs.

He frowned at the habit of some farmers, who used leaves to clean-up after toileting in the bush and at the same time eat food without washing same hands with water let alone soap.

“The habit is barbaric and people practicing it should desist, even poorly washed hands after toilet is much contaminated as unwashed hands, so people should know how to wash hands properly,’’ he stressed.

Famuyisan further urged teachers to always inculcating the washing with soap habits in their pupils, saying they should not wait until the annual commemoration of the Global Washing Hands Day before carrying out sensitisation.

He said that Ikole Local Government Council in collaboration with WaterAid Nigeria, trained teachers from 13 selected schools in the area, on hand washings practices to commemorate 2016 Global Hand washing Day. (NAN)
DAK/ACO/AFA
Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-18

Warning

By Mohammed Nuhu

Kano, Oct ‎15, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government has expressed concern over the violent clash between members of Shiah sect and some group of individuals individuals in the state.

It said the clash occurred because of flagrant disregard to an earlier ban by the police on public procession in the state.

The Commissioner for Information,Malam Muhammad Garba, made this know in a statement to newsmen in Kano on Saturday.

“This unfortunate violation of police order by the Shiites and taking law into their hands constitute criminal breach of law and order and will not be condoned ‎henceforth.‎
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“The government, therefore, reminds the group and the general public of the ban of any form of public procession in whatever guise without prior authorization,” Garba said.

He said that the government would deal with any person, group, organization or individuals that violate this order.

According to him, this is part of government ieffort to ensure maximum security of lives and property and maintenance of law and order in the state.

‎He then advice members of the shiah group and the general public to be law-abiding and live peacefully with one another. (NAN)

MNT/OFN

Edited by /Felix Nwadioha

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Health
Keffi (Nasarawa State) Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) Some rural women in Nasarawa State have appealed to both Federal and State Governments to provide free health facilities in rural areas and interest-free agricultural loans.

Some of the rural women, who made the plea in separate interviews with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in their respective communities in Keffi, said this would solve the problem of unemployment and boost agricultural production.

The women said that free health facilities in rural areas would not only improve their health status but would also reduce mother-child mortality rate in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Oct.15 every year is set aside as the International Day of Rural Women and the first International Day of Rural Women was observed on Oct. 15, 2008.

The women appealed to the Federal and State Governments to provide boreholes in rural areas so as to alleviate their suffering.

They said that most rural populace depended mostly on stream water for drinking and domestic uses “which is not good for their health’’.

Mrs Kasuwa Titus, a resident of Bagaji community in Keffi, said that lack of standard health facilities in rural areas had affected the health status and the standard of living of the women.

She urged government to provide free health facilities in rural areas.

“Everybody is aware that rural women depend on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihood as more than half of the population of Nigerians are living in the rural areas.

“Everybody is also aware that the rural areas have been neglected by the government in terms of quality infrastructure facilities.

“How many rural areas have standard schools, hospitals, water supply and electricity?

“The absence of infrastructural facilities has affected our lives and the socio-economic development at the grassroots.

“It in view of this, I want to appeal to the government at all levels to provide social amenities, especially free health facilities in rural areas.

Titus also urged the Federal Government to sustain the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Health Programme of the past administration; considering the positive effects of the programme on the lives of Nigerians especially rural women.

Mrs Habiba Ahmadu, another woman in Bassa Community, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, appealed to government to give adequate attention to rural development, especially in providing standard health facilities and water supply in the rural areas.

“The water in our community was stinking and caused sickness and diseases as most women would leave their homes between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. in search of drinking water, especially during the dry season.

“I am appealing to the government at all levels to provide us with free standard health facilities and portable water supply in order to improve on our standard of living for the overall development of the country, ‘’ he said.

Mrs Bibiya Isah, another woman in Kandele Kokona Local Governemnt Area said, their occupation is mainly agriculture.

“Apart from appealing for provision of free health facilities, I will also like government at all levels to provide rural women with soft loans and other agricultural inputs at cheap rate in order ensure food sufficiency,’’ dhe said.

Another woman in Amba, Kokona Local Government Area, Mrs Esther Akuadne, also called for the sustenance of SURE-P Health Programme introduced by the former President Goodluck Jonathan to improve on their lives and health of the rural women.

“We at the grassroots know how the SURE-P Health Programme had impacted positively on our lives and on the lives of other Nigerians.

“The programme had led to the evolution of quality health care delivery not only in rural area and in our state but across the country.

“Because of the intervention of the SURE-P programme, pregnant women most especially in the rural areas enjoy health facilities free of charge which has reduced the burden of hospital bills on their husbands and this has reduced  mother-child mortality rate, ‘’ she said

NAN also reports that other women, who spoke during the International Day for Rural Women made a case for the provision of infrastructure facilities in rural areas to overcome hardship. (NAN)
AKW/AJA
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-46
Alaafin
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Saturday described the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, as a quintessential traditional ruler and custodian of Yoruba culture.

The governor said this in his congratulatory message to the monarch on the occasion of his 78^th birthday and appointment as Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun.

The message was issued by Mr Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy.

The governor thanked the founder of Crescent University and renowned jurist, Bola Ajibola, and the university management for the appointment, saying it was an honour done to the Alaafin and Yoruba race.

Ajimobi said the contributions  Adeyemi  to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture, his efforts toward  the unity and progress of the Yoruba as well as  promotion of the traditional institution were unquantifiable.

“Kabiyesi deserves to be celebrated.

“ He is an epitome of intelligence, culture and intellectualism in royalty. I particularly salute his commitment toward ensuring the unity of the Yoruba.

“I will like to say that the university has made the right choice in Alaafin. He deserves the appointment by all standards. He is a repository of knowledge and symbol of intellectualism.

“All these, I am sure, he will bring to bear in the performance of his responsibilities as the Chancellor.

“ As a stickler to excellence in character and learning, I trust that Kabiyesi’s impact will be roundly felt in the institution.

“As Baba continues to age with grace, candour and resplendence, I wish him long life and sound health in the service to humanity.

“ I also pray that Crescent University attains greater heights during his tenure as Chancellor,’’ the governor said.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)