Blog

NAN-H-45
Medicine
Kano, Oct. 15,2016 (NAN) The Jigawa State Government has sponsored 60 students to study medicine in Shenyang Medical College, China.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakari-Umar, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport shortly before the departure of the students to China on Saturday.
He said that already 10 of the students had arrived China while the remaining 50 students are expected to commence their studies next week.
He said the state government would pay 5, 800 dollars per annum for each of the students in the university.
According to him, the decision to sponsor the students was borne out of the state government’s commitment to ensure adequate provision of medical doctors to its heath facilities.
“The present administration under the leadership of Gov. Mohammed Badaru is determined to ensure that all heath facilities have qualified manpower, hence the decision to sponsor these students,”he said.
He assured that the state government would ensure prompt payment of their scholarship allowance to enable them complete their studies successfully.
“Most of the successful students are from the poor families and had undergone thorough screening before getting the admission.
“We have also made adequate arrangement to ensure prompt settlement of all their fees to enable them concentrate fully on their studies,” the commissioners said.
Earlier in his remarks, the consultant, who secured the admission for the students, Chairma Usmaniyya Global Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi

Usman said Shenyang Medical College is one of best medical institutions in China that offers degree in Medicine.
He advised the students not engage in any act capable of denting the image of the country.
“There are a lot of opportunities in China because you can get sponsorship to further your studies after your programme,” he added.
He called on other state governments to invest in the education of youths, especially in the area of medicine and other related fields. (NAN)
MTM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-44
Festival
By Elusogbon Dorcas
Ile-Ife (Osun), Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) A high chief in Ife, Joseph Ijaodola, has appealed to youths in the ancient community to promote peaceful co-existence as the Olojo festival continued on Saturday.

Ijaodola, who is the Lowa Adimula, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the festival.

He congratulated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for witnessing his maiden edition of the Olojo festival.

Ijaodola also commended the monarch for initiating empowerment programmes for youths and widows in the state.

He appealed to residents, especially youths, to show love and hospitality to visitors who had turned out to witness the annual festival.

Also speaking, another high chief, Chief Adebowale Olafare, said the festival was to promote peace and unity in the community.

Adebowale, who is the Lowa Ate, urged residents to use the period to pray for blessings, joy and promotion.

“We don’t want crisis or record of any disaster during and after this festival. Anyone that witnessed the Ife/Modakeke crisis would not pray for war again,’’ he said.

He called on residents to support the Ooni in uplifting Ife as well as promoting peace and unity among traditional rulers. (NAN)
EDA/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Oba’s coronation: Benin wears new look

NAN-H-43
New
Benin, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The capital of Edo, Benin City, wears new look ahead of the coronation of the new monarch, Oba of Benin, Prince Eheneden Eradiauwa, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that major buildings to be used for the coronation, such as the Palace, Urokpota hall and some traditional grounds, are now wearing new look.

NAN reports that the palace structure that had not been renovated for decades had also been extensively transformed and renovated in preparation for the coronation of the new monarch.

The ancient palace used by Oba Erediauwa to host visitors, have given way to a modern structure, just as some new structures have been constructed to pave way for modern palace.

Also, in an effort to add beauty to the renovation work at the palace, a complete landscaping of the expansive land of the palace has been carried out.

NAN also reports that the popular plymont road, where the ancient palace is located was not left out in the beautification.

The road which before now was riddled with potholes, have been reconstructed ahead of the coronation, same with all streets around the palace.

Major streets and roads in the city have been decorated with signposts and banners, carrying pictures of the new monarch, who has in the past two weeks, commenced the coronation activities.

The streets are the Airport road, Sapele and Akpakpava roads, Oba market and Mission roads as well as the famous king square or ring road.

Apart from the large marquee that have been set at Urokpota hall, where the coronation ceremony would take place, the surrounding of the building located right at the heart of the city, have been painted and decorated as well.

NAN reports that the crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, would on Thursday be crowned as the 39th monarch of Benin, after the demise of his father, Oba Erediauwa, the 38th monarch, who reigned from 1979 to 2016. (NAN)
ESI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Osun assembly calls for preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage

NAN-H-16

Culture

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Osun House of Assembly has called for the preservation and development of Yoruba historic cultural heritage

The House spokesman, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, made this known in a statement in Osogbo on Saturday.

Oyintiloye felicitated with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on the celebration of this year’s Olojo festival.

He said there were many potential hidden in the cultural heritage of Yorubas that could be harnessed toward the economic development of the zone.

The spokesman said it was regrettable that the heavy reliance on oil had shifted the attention of the country away from concentrating on other sector.

“There are several hidden treasure in the cultural heritage of the people of Nigeria, especially in Yorubaland, that have been left untapped and underdeveloped.

“This inaction of ours has contributed to the pains of economic recession due to fall in the price of oil without an alternative to economic development to fall back on.

“No doubt, we are very rich in culture, tradition, heritages and festivals that can be developed to serve as a long term solution to economic dilemma in this country, but we are not paying serious attention to them,’’ he said.

According to him, Oranmiyan Staff in Ile-Ife, Osun-Osogbo festival, Olumirin Waterfalls, among others have potential to create job for youths, enhance their creativity and sell the tourism potential of the state to the world for a self sustaining economy.

While congratulating Oba Ogunwusi and the people of Ile-Ife on the Olojo festival, Oyintiloye solicited support for the monarch and the government toward making the festival more attractive.

The Olojo festival holds when the Ooni separates himself from the people to cleanse his palace and himself of all the evil forces after which he leads his people to the Oke Mogun shrine where he renews his vows as king.

The annual event is meant to celebrate the creation of the universe.

It climax with wearing of a special beaded crown, worn once annually by the Ooni, and the symbolic walk from Ile Oodua, Ooni’s palace to Oke Mogun. (NAN)

VE/FF/OFN

Edited by Fela Fashoro//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-21
Bomber
By Ali Inuwa
Maiduguri, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday intercepted a suspected male suicide bomber in Madagali, Adamawa.

The army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said this in a statement in Maiduguri.

He said: “Vigilant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole intercepted and neutralised a male suicide bomber at Madagali, Adamawa State.

“The suicide bomber was spotted by a vigilant duty sentry attempting to infiltrate troops forward defensive line along Madagali-Limankara road,” he said.

He added that the suspect was gunned down by the vigilant sentry as he  failed to stop when halted.

“The accurate shot also detonated the Improvised Explosive Device vest and was blown into pieces,” Usman said. (NAN)
ABI/ACO/OJO
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(Edited by Oluleye Abiodun and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-15
Women
By Muhammed Mamman
Damaturu, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Some women in Damaturu have urged government to provide healthcare facilities and economic empowerment programmes to check maternal mortality and, improved economy for rural women.

The women made the appeal on Saturday in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in commemoration of the International Day for Rural Women.

Hajiya Lami Mohammed, a house wife, said “maternal mortality still remains a major challenge for women in the rural communities.

Lami said she recently lost a sister in the village during child birth due to excessive bleeding “it was too late before she was taken to hospital in Potiskum.

“A lot of women lose their lives to child birth due to complete absence or poor state of the available health facilities in the rural areas,” she said.

Mrs Mairo Musa, a grocery vendor, urged government to introduce special economic empowerment programmes to improve the lives of rural women.

“The minister of women affairs recently came to Yobe to promote economic empowerment programme for women.

“It affected mostly women in Damaturu, the state capital and others in the local government headquarters, while those in remote villages were left out,” Musa said.

Mrs Joda Kallamu, a Fulani milk vendor, said rural women should be empowered in livestock and crop production being the mainstay of their livelihood.

“Every rural woman is either engaged in livestock production or crop production and should be assisted with empowerment,” Joda said.

She argued that there were untapped agricultural potential in the rural communities that would improve economy of rural dwellers and the state. (NAN)
MM /OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-12
Refuse
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Government has approved the construction of 21 additional refuse dump sites across the state.

The Director of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Kasimu Yabo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

He explained that this will encourage more refuse evacuation by creating more refuse dumping sites, to meet up with the high demand following population growth.

Yabo said that the present administration was highly committed to ensuring clean and sanitised environment.

“The state government had since approved the construction of 21 additional refuse bunkers, while 14 existing ones will undergo renovation,” he said.

Yabo attributed prevalence of refuse heaps to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, lack of patriotism from the public, shortage of bunkers and over population, among others.

Yabo further called on the general public to maintain the culture of dumping their refuse at the designated dump sites.

According to him, this will go a long way to support government in its efforts to achieving the desired objectives of a clean environment. (NAN)
MNB/BRM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-11
Measures
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, says the court will support measures aimed at enhancing the country’s financial safety net in order to strengthen the economy.

Bulkachuwa said this on Saturday in Abuja at the sensitisation seminar organised for justices of the court by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the seminar was “The Challenges to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria.’’

She said: “In the midst of the nation’s current state of economic recession, every opportunity to acquire relevant information and knowledge that will promote financial system stability should be supported.

“All such measures aimed at enhancing the financial safety net in order to strengthen the economy should be embraced to enable us weather the storm.

“It is therefore essential and indeed a necessity that constant enlightenment on the aforementioned issues through different means such as this sensitisation seminar are actively encouraged.’’

Bulkachuwa also said the court would continue to collaborate with the NDIC and other relevant stakeholders to help sharpen the adjudicating prowess of the judges.

“Indeed, a judge must be properly equipped at all times with the right information in order to discharge his duties with utmost professionalism and efficiency.

“This seminar will provide judges with valuable tools that can be employed in the arduous but honourable task of adjudication, especially when such matters impact upon financial system stability,” she said.

In his keynote address, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, the Managing Director of NDIC, said the seminar was part of the corporation’s strategic planning initiative targeted at improving knowledge on issues pertaining to stability of the country’s finance system.

“We are now holding the fourth edition of the annual sensitisation seminar for the justices of the Court of Appeal.

“The continuity of these seminars is hinged on the fact that the response from the justices to our programmes has always been extremely encouraging and we are most grateful.

“We have also received valuable feedback from participants of previous seminars which have provided a richer background for well-considered judgments from the various divisions of the court,” he said.
“ The fourth edition of the seminar series is therefore an attempt by the corporation to consolidate on the gains previously recorded,’’ he said.

He said the seminar was also meant to enhance the understanding of the court in the deposit guarantee scheme in the country.

Papers presented at the forum included “An Appraisal of the Deposit Guarantee Schemes in Nigeria and United Kingdom,’’ and “The Status of Secured Creditors of Banks Liquidation. ’’

The seminar attracted justices from all the divisions of the court across the country. (NAN)
OMO/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-9
Warning
By Ajayi Toba
Ilorin, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) A medical expert, Dr Festus Olalekan, has warned Nigerians against biting their finger nails, saying it could result in skin infection, especially whitlow.

Olalekan, who works with Graceland Hospital, Ilorin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that biting of nails had remained a common practice among people who do not realise the health implications.

According to him, the finger nail is an ideal location for bacteria to grow and it can easily get transferred to the mouth and other parts of the body.

The expert also said that the habit could result in swelling and redness around the nails.

“As you chew your nails, bacteria and other microorganisms can enter your body.

“ You can also get exposed to paronychia (whitlow), an infection under the cuticle of a fingernail or toenail

“I understand that it is difficult for some people to keep clean nails and avoid the biting of fingernails.

“Nails are ideal location for bacteria to grow; this is why you need to avoid the habit of chewing nails in order to stay healthy,’’ Olalekan said.

He advised people experiencing swelling or redness of the fingernail to visit a doctor in order to prevent  other health complications. (NAN)
LEX/IAA/OJO
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(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)