Blog

NAN-H-8
Law
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Oct. 15, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Yusuf Badmus, the Dean of the School of Post Graduate Studies, University of Ilorin, has called on the National Assembly to stop the ongoing move to amend the inheritance law.

Badmus told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ilorin  that the inheritance law was a Shariah law and should not be tampered with.

He said the law provides  the laid down rules and regulations on how to share inheritance.

The don said there were other issues that the lawmakers could focus on which impact on the lives of Nigerians.

”There is no discrimination in Islam and Allah has commanded every parent to be just to all their children and has set aside a law in sharing inheritance.

”The women folks are always under the care of maybe a man or her parents.

“Therefore, she has not many responsibilities like a man and this was why the male gets a higher portion than females.

” It had been decreed and should not be altered because everyone will account for his or her deeds in the hereafter,” Badmus said. (NAN)
BAY/IAA/OJO
===========
(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Ondo 2016: NSCDC Ondo denies training thugs for PDP
NAN-H-2
Thugs

By Ayodeji Alabi
Akure, Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo has refuted allegations that it is training thugs for People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the forthcoming governorship election .

The NSCDC made this known in a statement by Kayode Balogun, the command’s spokesman in Akure on Saturday.

The statement explained that the Commandant, Mr Adeyinka Fasiu Ayinla, trained two batches of officers and men of the corps a few months ago.

“Training and retraining of personnel is a regular exercise in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps which will make the officers and men to be physically and mentally fit to combat any security threats.

“NSCDC is a Security agency known for integrity, professionalism, non partisan and neutral in its dealings with all political parties,” Ayinla said.

Ayinla  further enjoined the good people of Ondo state and Nigerians to disregard the story, stressing that it was reckless and baseless.

He, therefore, assured members of the public that the corps would continue to be honest and neutral in the discharge of it duties. (NAN)
AYO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NNPC embarks on rigorous oil exploration in Gongola, other inland basins

NAN-H-1

Technology

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja Oct.15,2016 (NAN) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has embarked on a more rigorous exploration for oil in the Gongola and other inland basin using the latest seismic data gathering technology .

A statement by NNPC’s Group General Manager,Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad, made this known in Abuja on Saturday

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, the statement said, made the disclosure when he paid separate visits to the governors of Bauchi and Gombe States. 

Baru that the latest technology was similar to the ones used by neighbouring countries to discover oil in their countries..

He said the exploration was in strict compliance to President MuhammaduBuhari’s mandate.

NNPC, he said, had therefore commenced activities in the Gongola Basin by awarding the contract for seismic data acquisition of over 500KM² 3D seismic data in the first instance.

“NNPC is deploying state of the art technology in the present data acquisition and we are confident that these efforts will lead to clearer definition of the prospectively of the basin.”

He said that the contractors awarded the contract for the seismic data acquisition in the Gongola Basin, was Integrated Data Service Limited (IDSL).

Baru said the contractor was a subsidiary of the NNPC and Bureau for Geophysical Prospecting, a subsidiary of Chinese National Petroleum Corporation (BGP/CNPC) were mobilising to commence the project.

The GMD said that the seismic data acquisition activities and exploration well drillings would provide employment opportunities for the youths.

Baru said the multiplier effect of the envisaged employment would contribute to the economic empowerment of the surrounding communities and the nation at large.

He said that NNPC was in the process of awarding the Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.

In their separate remarks, the governors of Bauchi an Gombe, Mohammad Abubakar and Ibrahim Dankwambo applauded the president  for the pragmatic move to rigorously commence exploratory activities in the  area.

They both stressed that the move would further grow the nation’s oil and gas reserves.

“I want to assure you of the unflinching support of Bauchi State and its good people towards this project.

“We are ready to provide offices and accommodation for all NNPC staff that will work on this project,” Abubakar said.

“Already, we have assigned two ministries that will work with your team on this laudable project.

“ I will work with my colleague Governors in the North- East to galvanize support from our people towards this project,” Dankwambo said.

Dankwambo also called on the media to support this renewed oil search in the area.

Giving their royal endorsements, the Emirs of Bauchi and Gombe reassured the Federal Government of their readiness to support the project, mobilise their subjects against interrupting the smooth operation of the exploratory activities in their domains.(NAN)

KC/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Coronation : Prince  Eheneden’s reign will promote growth and development, Chiefs
NAN-H-169
By Imelda Osayande
Coronation
Benin, Oct 14, 2016 (NAN) Benin Palace chiefs have expressed confidence that the reign of Prince Eheneden Erediauwa would further promote the prosperity and fame of the kingdom globally.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chiefs in different interviews on Friday at the Usama palace in Benin, expressed this sentiment.
The chiefs said they were optimistic Eheneden would bring his wealth of experience as a widely read and travelled personality to bear and bring smiles to faces of the people during his reign.
NAN reports that the Crown Prince is presently staying at the Usama palace, performing coronation rites, from where he is expected to visit `Useh Village’ on Tuesday, to choose his coronation name.
The chiefs told NAN that athough the coronation process had not changed, they however, noted that Eheneden’s ceremony had more colour and grace more than any other coronation they had witnessed as palace chiefs.
Chief John Oviasogie, the Eribo of Benin, said evidence so far from the coronation ceremonies, had shown that the reign of the Crown Prince “is going to bring more wealth, prosperity brighter future for the people and the kingdom.
“As we can see, the beginning of this coronation is shining and bright compared to the previous coronation ceremonies.
” I became a palace chief in 1978, shortly before Oba Erediauwa Uku Akpolokpolo coronation in March 1979. So, am proud that I am witnessing the second coronation as a chief.
“The Crown Prince has travelled far and wide and we believe that he will bring his experience to bear to transform the Benin Kingdom for the betterment of the people, “Oviasogie said.
Chief David Idabie, the Osague of Benin. who is also witnessing a second coronation as a palace chief, said Eheneden’s reign would be more prosperous and promises for the people of the kingdom.
“Have you not seen the demonstration of love from the people and the crowd right from the beginning of this coronation ceremony?.
“I am seeing some things that did not happen in 1979; it is a pride for me that I am fully participating in this coronation, ” Idabie said.
Although Chief Stephen Ikhilriwin, the Enola of Benin, said he was not yet a palace chief during Oba Erediauwa’s coronation, he however, expressed happiness that he was contributing his quota towardsEheneden’s coronation ceremonies.
” This is a great and uncommon event and I urge both indigenes and non indigenes to experience it by all means.
“Everywhere is colourful and this symbolises how flourishing Eheneden’s reign will be as an Oba,” Ikhilriwin told NAN.
Two female chiefs, who spoke to NAN, similarly expressed the same sentiment.
While Chief Mrs Helen Edoror, the Unuinorivie of Benin said Eheneden’s reign would transform Benin for good,
Chief Mrs Aiyivieb Asia, the Aiyivieweuboya of Benin said “his reign as oba will sustain the growth and development of Edo people.” (NAN)

(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-159

Anti-corruption

By Dianabasi Effiong

Calabar, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) A workshop to support anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria opened on Friday in Calabar with a call on the media to support current efforts by security agencies in the fight against corruption.

In his paper, the lead speaker, Prof. Lai Oso, stressed the need for a common understanding of what corruption is all about and ways to control it

Oso, former Dean, School of Communication at Lagos State University, also identified different forms of corrupt practices which included political, bureaucratic, and of recent, judicial corruption.

He also said that effects of corruption on the economy was enormous especially in investment climate.

Oso said the role of the media had gone beyond providing information from anti-corruption agencies in the campaign against corruption in Nigeria.

According to him, the media should be much more involved in finding a common meaning, framing issues in setting agenda and reassessing its position in the campaign.

Oso said that agencies of government should synergise with the media through consensus-building and sharing of information.

He also identified the need to re-design core national values, adding that journalists should maintain “social distance and independence’’ in the campaign because corruption is also fighting back through the media.

Speaking on the role of the media in curbing corruption, the Editor-In-Chief of Tell Magazine, Mr Ayodele Akinkuotu, said that society had abandoned its traditional values of integrity and protecting family name.

He described some Nigerians’ corrupt tendencies as that of a “mental asylum ” which needed to be cured.

He said that although corruption did not start today, but that governments’ efforts to curb its spread had not been consistent.

He stressed the need to enforce good governance to strengthen the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

According to Akinkuotu, there is a co-relation between poverty and corruption.

He said that these were evidenced by what he called collapsed socio-economic infrastructure visible in our early education sector, moribund healthcare sector and the power sector among others.

In his presentation, the Provost of the Nigeria institute of Journalism, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, said the role of the media in the fight against corruption need not be over-emphasised.

He said that the media remained the only organ with roles in the Nigerian Constitution to be socially responsible and make governments accountable to the people.

Ogunleye, a former Editor of Punch newspaper, said there was need for the media to re-chart its direction towards achieving good governance.

“When corrupt leaders are uncovered by the anti-craft agencies they usually fight back. Their weapons are ethnicity, politics, religion and filthy lucre,’’ he said.

Earlier, Christina Albertin, the Country Representative of the United Nations office on drugs and crime, the implementers of the project for the Nigerian Government, said the project is funded by the European Union.

Participants, drawn from the media, no fewer than 14 anti-graft agencies including the EFCC and the judiciary in Nigeria, called for the establishment of Special courts to try corruption matters.

The forum called on the media to monitor good governance through bringing the Freedom of Information law to test in the fight against corruption.

The media was also charged to set up Anti-corruption Desks to support relevant agencies in the fight against corruption. (NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Nigerians lack commitment to righteousness – Osinbajo

NAN-H-94

Commitment

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said on Friday in Abuja that although Nigeria had people who could pray, they lacked commitment to righteousness.

He made the remark at a Special Banquet to mark the 20^th anniversary of Nigeria Prays, the pet project of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

Osinbajo said that if the citizens truly believed in and walked in the ways of Jesus Christ whom they profess to adore and stood up for the truth, righteousness and justice, the country would clearly witness a turn-around.

According to him, there is the need to pray to God always but it is more important that Christians turn away from evil in order to make the country great.

“If we want to be a nation that can feed its people, we must turn from evil ways and work for righteousness.

“When our pulpits preach righteousness, our people will rise up and become salts of the earth; Christians will stand up and be honest if we preach righteousness in the pulpit,’’ he said.

Osinbajo said that preachers had failed to tell the people that it was wrong to take bribe or accept money from government official, adding that nations that followed the principles of scripture had emerged great.

He said prayer and fasting were good, but that they were not enough to lift the country except the citizens turned away from evil.

“The principles of hard work, integrity and innovation are things that made other countries great and they are all in the gospel and if we follow the principles, we can be great,’’ he stressed.

The vice president extolled the virtues of honesty, integrity and hard work of Gowon and urged Nigerians, especially leaders to emulate him.

Earlier, Gowon said that the group had spent the past 20 years praying for the sincere intercessions for the healing of the country.

He said that passage of time had not diluted the vision of Nigeria Prays group.

“It has been an eventful journey to prepare a highway for God in our nation.

“By His grace, we have succeeded in laying a solid spiritual foundation for national reflections and intercessions.

“Through prayers, rallies, seminars, Nigeria Prays has created an opportunity for Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, irrespective of denominational affiliation and religious background,’’ he said.

According to the former head of state, we have to continue to promote the virtues of patriotism and transparency in the citizenry and good governance and incorruptibility in leadership.

He said that in spite of how much Nigerians had prayed to exit difficulties, a lot needed to be done and expressed optimism that the Holy Spirit would lead the way for the nation to be healed.

A cleric, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, in a sermon said that Gowon was an exemplary leader and urged others to be patriotic and avoid partisanship so as to help in building bridges for development and unity of the country.

He prayed that God would lift Nigeria and its leaders up and heal the country from the harm of corruption.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was used to present a book on Gowon titled “God’s Praying General’’ and launch of a N2 billion fund for the erection of Nigeria Prays centre. (NAN)

DCU/OPI/OPI

Our nation lacks commitment to righteousness — Osinbajo

NAN-H-94
Commitment
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016(NAN)The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said on Friday in Abuja that the country was blessed with people who could pray well but lacked a commitment to righteousness.

He made the remark at the Special Banquet, project launch, awards and presentations to mark the 20^th Anniversary of Nigeria Prays, the pet project of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

The Vice President said that if the citizens “are called by His (Christ’s) name, stand up for the truth, righteousness and justice, clearly our country will turn around’’.

According to him there is the need to pray to God always but it is more important that Christians turn away from evil in order to make the country great.

“If we want to be a nation that can feed its people we must turn from evil ways and work for righteousness.

“When our pulpits preach righteousness our people will rise up and become salts of the earth.

“Christians will stand up and be honest if we preach righteousness in the pulpit,’’ he added.

Osinbajo said preachers had failed to tell the people that it was wrong to take bribe or accept money from government official adding that nations that had followed the principles of scripture had emerged as great.

He said prayer and fasting were good but not enough to lift the country except the citizens went further to turn from evil.

“The principles of hard work, integrity and innovation are things that made other countries great and they are all in the gospel and if we follow the principles we can be great,’’ he said.

The Vice President extolled the virtues of honesty, integrity and hard work of Gowon and urged Nigerians especially leaders to emulate him.

Earlier, Gowon said the group had spent the past 20 years praying for the sincere intercessions for the healing of the country.

He said that passage of time had not diluted the vision of Nigeria Prays group.

“It has been an eventful journey to prepare a highway for God in our nation.

“By His Grace we have succeeded in laying a solid spiritual foundation for national reflections and intercessions.

“Through prayers, rallies, seminars Nigeria Prays has created an opportunity for Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, irrespective of denominational affliction and religious background to be involved in the mission of birthing a new nation,’’ he said.

According to the former Head of State, Nigerians have to continue to promote the virtues of patriotism and transparency in the citizenry and good governance and incorruptibility in leadership.

He said that in spite of how much Nigerians had prayed to exit difficulties a lot needed to be done and expressed optimism that the Holy Spirit will lead the way for the nation to be healed.

A cleric, Pasto Paul Adefarasin, in a message noted that Gowon was an exemplary leader and urged others to be patriotic and avoid partisanship as their elevation was an opportunity to build bridges in the country.

He prayed that God will lift Nigeria and the leadership up and heal the country from the harm of corruption.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was used to present a book on Gowon called “God’s Praying General’’ as well as launch a N2 billion fund for the erection of a neighbourhood centre for Nigeria Prays.(NAN)
DCU/YAZ
====

Edited by Yusuf Zango

NAN-84
Race
By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said that Nigeria will be one of the major contender in water sports in 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Dalung said this at the 2016 Nigerian Army Sports Festival Boat Race event in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, the Nigeria army have venture into water sports and this is a very good development.

“We are sure that with the talent discover here, Nigeria will be a major contenders in water sports come 2020 Olympics.

Dalung said that Chierika Ukogu’s participation in water sports in the 2016 Rio Olympics broke the record of an African qualifying in water sport to semi final.

“Her performance sets the tune that Nigeria neglected water sports for a long time because she is coming to Olympics for the first time and set the world record in canon and rowing.

“This was one of the greatest achievements Nigeria had in the Olympics and judging by what has happen there today, we as sports administrators has been challenged to go back back to the drawing board.

“Look more of what we can do for water sports because certainly water sports have more medals than any other sports.

“I think that Nigeria can launch itself if we invest very well in water sports and the military is going to be a very good partner,’’ he said.

Dalung, however promised to assist the army to buy more boat to enable it consolidate training for the athletes that have been discovered.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, promised to establish sailing and open water club in all the military formations.

He said the army decided to move into competitive water sports to assist in the formation of its men and officers.

Retired Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni, President of Rowing Federation, while presenting a boat and paddle to Buratai, said it was a symbol to consolidate on the talent discovered in the event.

He said that water sports had 32 medals in Olympics and Nigeria stand a chance to reap from it if the talents discovered were nurtured.

Meanwhile, 3 Division came first in the boat race followed by 2 Division in the second place and 81 Division came third.

Some highlight of the event include an eight-year-old girl opening the event with the open water swimming followed by events like 100m open swimming for men and women.

The closing ceremony of the 2016 Nigerian Army Sports Festival will hold on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.(NAN)
DE/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NICO begins weekend Indigenous language programme Oct 15

NAN-H-83

NICO

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has said that it will begin the 2016 Weekend Edition of its Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) on Oct. 15.

A statement signed by Mr Caleb Nor, the media assistant to the agency’s Executive Secretary, made the disclosure in Abuja on Friday.

Nor said that the programme would begin on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Institute’s Head Office, located on No. 23, Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

He said six Nigerian indigenous languages – Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv, Efik and Gbagyi – are expected to be taught during the Weekend Edition of the programme.

The spokesman said participation in the programme was free for interested persons and lectures would start from 1noon to 4p.m. every Saturday and from 2p.m. to 6p.m. on Sundays.

He said the programme was in line with NICO’s mandate of harnessing culture for national development.

“The institute has over the years, used its indigenous language programme platform for reviving interest in speaking our indigenous languages to avoid them going into extinction.

They Institute recently organised a one-month long version of intensive indigenous language learning programme.

The programme attracted participants from the public and private sector as well as diplomats in its efforts in reviving interest in our local languages. (NAN)

EPA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Plateau Govt. offers free eye treatment to over 1,500 persons

NAN-HG-18

Thompson Yamput

Treatment

Pankshin (Plateau) Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Plateau Government has offered free eye treatment to no fewer than 1,500 persons with eye sight problems.

Dr Kuden Kamshak, the Commissioner for Health, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Pankshin.

He said the treatment was part of activities to mark the World Sight Day in the State.

The commissioner said that 100 of the beneficiaries had their eyesight’s restored through corrective surgery.

“This is a laudable programme introduced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration of the state in conjunction with some health organisations and agencies, “Kamshak said.

He said that the free eye treatment carried out in Pankshin General Hospital was successful, and commended the doctors for volunteering their time.

According to him, the exercise will go a long way to save the lives of many of the affected families from the trauma and pains of eye problems.

He said that the exercise which commenced on Friday would last for three days and appealed to the people to come out en masse.(NAN)

TYC/ECN/OU

===========

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Obike Ukoh

=============================