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Anti-graft watchdog delays report after Zuma court application

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Application

Jo’burg, Oct. 14, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa’s anti-graft watchdog has deferred release of a report into allegations of political interference by friends of South Africa’s  President pJacob Zuma.

A court application by Zuma had obliged Thuli Madonsela, Head of the agency that has spearheaded investigation of alleged involvement of an Indian-born family into political affairs.

This was to delay the release of the report that had been due on Friday, her last day in office.

The court will now hear Zuma’s case on Oct. 18 for more time to review details and to question the witnesses.

Madonsela has called a news conference for later in the day after publishing a list of 23 cases on which she would report”, saying “agreement in court requires us to wait till Tuesday.”

The list did not mention the Gupta family at the centre of the investigation into whether top political decisions, including cabinet appointments, have been unduly influenced.

Both the family, which has wide-ranging business interests in South Africa, and the president have denied any wrongdoing.

Zuma applied for that order on Thursday on the grounds that he had not had the chance to question witnesses and review any evidence that implicated him.

However, the ruling party had said earlier that it supported the release of the report despite the court bid by Zuma to block it.

Zizi Kodwa, spokesman for Zuma’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), said it was in favour of Madonsela releasing her findings, including information on the Guptas.

However, critics of Zuma have express the fear that the deferment of the release of the report. could lead to a watering down of its conclusions.

The critics said that they fear that the delay in the report could be further extended and its content diminished with the end of Madonsela’s tenure.

The claims of undue influence have become known as “state capture”.

“From our point of view, we are looking forward to the report because the allegations of corporate state capture are very serious.

“For us whether it is today, or any other day, we are looking forward to the release of the report,’’ Kodwa said.

He said that he was not surprised that Zuma had sought a court order to block the report, as that was his right.

On Friday, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen also filed a court application to block the release of the report. (Reuters/NAN)

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere

FG seeks state Govts partnership to bolster housing infrastructure

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Infrastructure
By Ella Anokam
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Friday called for federal and state governments’ partnership in developing infrastructure to bolster affordable housing nationwide.

Fashola made the call after an inspection tour of the Camp Luvu Housing Estate, Millard Fuller Foundation (MFF), a faith-based organisation, situated at Luvu-Madaki, off Masaka, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GrandLuvu housing estate has a price range of between N1.6 million and N3.7 million but with poor access road network.

However, Fashola assured that the ministry was ready to intervene by working with the Nasarawa State Government to provide infrastructure, which could encourage private business and economic development in the area.

The minister said that the inspection was to facilitate the commitment of the ministry towards checking its partner’s activities for housing development.

“Though in the recent housing summit organised by the ministry, some of the housing partners displayed their projects, it is better to see from the inside the extent they have gone.

“The MFF effort is quite inspiring in some local efforts so what we need to do is to double this kind of capacity to address the problem of sustainable housing development,’’ he said.

The minister, however, said such efforts could also be replicated yearly across the country in order to bridge the housing deficit.

Fashola said that the inspection will address the challenges the housing developers’ face, the methodology, designs and materials being used in the sites.

Mr Sam Odia, the National Director of the foundation, said that the organisation was focused on providing affordable housing to solve the housing crisis plaguing the nation by targeting low income earners.

Odia stated that the housing price at N1.6 million was believed to be one of the cheapest housing schemes in Nigeria.

He said that the studio apartment could also be expanded to one bedroom unit.

“Our major challenge has been finance, getting access to reasonable finance for most developers and poor road,’’ Odia said.

NAN reports that MFF partners with the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ), Fuller Centre for Housing, REALL UK and Selavip International for the scheme. (NAN)
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Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide
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Market

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday traded 220.85 million shares worth N1.53 billion in 2,381 deals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was in contrast with a total of 380.75 million shares valued at N1.83 billion transacted in 2,954 deals on Thursday.

A breakdown of the activity indicated that Diamond Bank was the toast of investors, accounting for 85.19 million shares worth N102.22 million.

Access Bank followed on the activity chart, having sold 30.78 million shares valued at N172.63 million, while GT Bank transacted 21.22 million worth N 502.68 million.

Transcorp exchanged 11.93 million shares valued at N11.94 million and FBN Holdings recorded a turnover of 10.76 million shares worth N32.39 million.

NAN also reports that the market indices posted a marginal growth of 0.02 per cent.

The All-Share Index improved by 6.25 points to close at 27,861.03 points, compared to 27,854.78 points recorded on Thursday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation rose by N2 billion to close at N9.57 trillion against N9.56 trillion achieved on Thursday.

7UP recorded the highest price gain to lead the gainers’ table, garnering N5.40 to close at N159.90 per share.

Guinness inched N2.94 to close at N83 and Guaranty Trust Bank increased by 64k to close at N23.50 per share.

Oando rose by 15k to close at N5.61 per share and MRS Oil gained 10k to close at N40 per share.

On the other hand, Forte Oil, for the second consecutive day topped the losers’ chart, dropping N6.88 to close at N145.12 per share.

Lafarge Africa lost N3.10 to close at N42.50 and Cadbury dipped 82k to close at N15.67 per share.

Nigerian Breweries decreased by 50k to close at N148.70 and UACN dipped 40k to close at N20.40 per share. (NAN)

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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka and Olisa Ifeajika

Skye Bank tasks entrepreneurs on capacity building

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Skye

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokoema

Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Mr Tokunbo Abiru, the Group Managing Director, Skye Bank, says capacity building is paramount to entrepreneurial development.

Abiru charged entrepreneurs on the importance of capacity building to the success of their businesses.

A statement from the bank in Lagos said that Abiru gave the advice at the just concluded Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja with theme: “Driving SMEs Growth for MADE IN NIGERIA Products & Services”.

He said that business owners should seek to have contextual understanding of their business ideas by engaging in extensive research. building managerial skills and capacity before approaching financial institutions for the required funding.

Abiru also advised that government must play frontal role in the provision of massive infrastructure such as power and roads to enhance for business to thrive.

“In order to ensure the accelerated growth of SMEs in Nigeria, government must play a frontal role in the provision of massive infrastructures like power, roads to enhance movement of goods and services across the country,” he said.

Abiru said that the environment should be conducive for businesses to thrive to optimise national productivity.

“When we patronise locally made goods, we are invariably contributing to enhanced operations of local manufacturers and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Abiru said that patronage of locally made goods would aid more jobs creation, improve quality of products and ultimately stimulate local consumption that would impact positively on the local economy.

He said that there were currently over 17 million SMEs across all sectors of the Nigerian economy, contributing up to 60 million jobs and 48 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Abiru said that these enterprises served as the vehicle for poverty alleviation through employment generation and improved living standards, bringing about substantial local capital formation, enhanced level of productivity and capability in the country. (NAN)
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Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

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Sports

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Maj-Gen Adeniyi Oyebade, General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, said the Nigeria Army Sports Festival was aimed at building formidable sports team for the army.

Oyebade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the team would represent the army in both national and international sports tournaments.

He said his division was doing well in the ongoing army sports festival and attributed their success to planning and preparation.

“1 Division Nigeria Army is doing very well in the festival and our performance so far has been very inspirational and the secret to our success so far is planning, preparation and motivation.

“The Nigeria Army sports festival is supposed to hold once every two years but because of the operation we are handling, we have not been able to hold it in some years past.

“But it is a good thing that we are doing it this time around and it is a forum for all the officers to come together from all the divisions to compete among themselves in various events.“

“It is a forum from which we are going to select individuals to form the army team that will represent the army at national and international tournaments.

“ To a large extend we have achieved these objectives,”he said.

Oyebade said that sports had positive impact on the performance of the officers during operations.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen Turkur Buratai for making the festival possible.

Oyebade said that the division tends to reward athletes that would win gold in the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1 division had so far won four gold medal in athletic.

NAN also reports that the 2016 Nigeria Army Sports Festival would end on Oct. 15, at the Abuja National Stadium.(NAN)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/ Tukur Muntari.

Nigeria spends $1bn annually on medical tourism- Minister

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Tourism

By Nabilu Balarabe

Jalingo, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN ) Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, says Nigeria is spending over $1billion annually on medical treatment.

He spoke on Friday while commissioning the newly constructed Amenity and Labour wards at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.

Ehanire said spending such a huge amount of money for treatment abroad was not good for the nation’s economy.

He said the Federal Government was committed to upgrading health facilities nationwide to minimise medical tourism.

“The beautiful edifice I am seeing here today will surely provide world class medical services to the people of this state.

“It will further reduce the high rate of travelling for medical treatment abroad which costs this country over $1 billion annually,” he said.

The minister, however, said provision of infrastructure must be complemented with good attitude towards patients.

“There is a need for doctors, nurses and other health personnel to treat patients with dignity.

“In spite of the state- of- the- art facilities, bad attitude towards patients can be destructive,” he said.

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba represented by the Commissioner for Health, Mr Innocent Vakkai, commended the Federal Government and other partners for their support in effective health service delivery.

He said his government was committed to effective health service delivery to the citizenry.

“To show our commitment, we have so far spent N 1.3 billion in fighting hepatitis and other infectious diseases.

“Recently, we recruited 160 nurses to improve our service in the health centres across the state,” he said.

The Medical Director, Dr Inusa Wiza, said the hospital had achieved remarkable development since his management team came on board in 2011.

He identified lack of X-ray machine, scarcity of potable water, shortage of consultants and indiscipline among staff as some of their major challenges. (NAN)
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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FCTA suspends 13 officers being prosecuted by EFCC

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Prosecution
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Administration has approved the suspension of 13 officers undergoing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Malam Hazat Sule, said this in a statement he issued on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, made the disclosure on the officers.

The permanent secretary explained that the suspension was in line with the Public Service Rule 030406.

The rule states inter alia: “Where a prima facie case, the nature of which is serious, has been established against an officer and it is considered necessary in the public interest that he/she should forthwith be prohibited from carrying out his/her duties, pending the determination of the case”.

Ajakaiye said that based on that rule “it therefore becomes expedient to suspend the following officers in line with the extant rules’’.

He listed the suspended officers as Malam Suleiman Idris (Assistant Director, Transportation Secretariat); Malam Idris Usman (Assistant Director, Engineering Services Department, FCDA) and Malam Mohammed Ishaq, (Chief Planning Officer, Urban and Regional Planning Department).

Also suspended are Mrs Helen Olokpo (Principal Town Planning Officer, Urban and Regional Planning Department); Mr Bamidele Olaitan (Principal Education Officer, Education Secretariat); Mr Ambrose Samchi (Principal Accountant, Treasury Services Department).

Others are Malam Hassan Argungu (Principal Land Officer, AGIS); Malam Saba Mohammed (Senior Data Officer, AGIS); Malam Yusuf Baba (Senior Administrative Officer, AGIS) and Malam Abdullahi Musa (Senior Administrative Officer, Deeds Registrar’s Office).

The rest are Mr Abraham Murtala Belel (Senior Accountant, Treasury Services Department); Mr Andrew Gwani (Land Officer) and Malam Abdulmalik Teina (Senior Accountant, Treasury Services Department). (NAN)

KM/DO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Court slams N100,000 bail on hairstylist for alleged absconding with employer’s money
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Stylist

By Monday Ajogun

Benin, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) An Oredo Magistrates’ Court on Friday admitted an 18-year-old hairstylist, Chibuzor Juliet, to bail in the sum of N100,000 for absconding with her boss money.

The Magistrate, Mrs Caroline Ejale, who granted the bail after the accused pleaded not guilty, ordered him to produce one surety in like sum.

Ejale said the surety mush be gainfully employed, and adjourned the case till Dec. 12 for hearing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Thomas Ojo, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 14, at No. 6 Lawani Str., Off Iyaro, Benin.

Ojo said that the accused was sent by her boss to collect N102,000 from a customer, she did but claimed that some spiritual forces took the money away from her.

He said the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code. (NAN)

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Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Katsina targets 73,000 pupils for hand washing campaign – Official

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Hygiene
Katsina, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 73,000 primary school pupils in Katsina State have been targeted for “hand washing campaign’’ under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme funded by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Alhaji Aminu Dayyabu Safana, the Executive Director, Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Katsina.

He said that the campaign was part of activities to mark the 2016 Global Hand Washing Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Make Hand Washing a Habit’’ has been selected as the theme for this year.

Safana said that the pupils were from 246 primary schools in the 11 local government areas of the state participating in WASH programme.

He revealed that the local governments were Bakori, Faskari, Dutsin-ma, Safana, Batagarawa, Kaita, Ingawa,Musawa, Matazu, Sandamu and Mai’adua.

He said that water and sanitation facilities had already been provided to the schools for demonstration to the pupils.

According to him, the campaign is aimed at inculcating hand washing habit among children at their tender age.

“We want hygiene to be the habit of our children, because they are the change agents,’’ he said.

He explained that would assist to prevent the children from water-borne and other communicable diseases.

“The intervention will also assist to keep the children in schools,’’ he said.

He explained that they had provided water and sanitation facilities to a number of communities, schools and healthcare centres across the 11 local government areas.

Safana also urged women to always clean their hands before breast feeding their babies to protect them from such diseases.

He further enjoined residents to maintain clean environment and wash their hands after using toilet facilities as part of measures to prevent diseases outbreak. (NAN)
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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Bridge
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Alumni Association on Friday says it will construct a multi-million Naira pedestrian bridge at the university’s north gate to curb students’ death while crossing the busy highway.

Its national President, Dr Ahmed Tijjani-Mora disclosed this at the 11th Annual General Assembly of ABU Alumni held at the main campus of the university at Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Tijanni -Mora said the north gate overhead bridge, which would be constructed across Zaria-Sokoto Highway, would certainly reduce traffic congestion apart from reducing loss of students’ lives while crossing the road.

While noting that the construction period for the project stood at 24 months, Tijjani-Mora said it was one among many more projects that were very dear to the alumni.

The president said other interventions by the association included laptop computer loan scheme initiated for students as well as shuttle services for students within the university campuses.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Garba had pledged an enabling environment for teaching, learning, research and development.

Garba said the name of the university would continue to vibrate not only across Nigeria and Africa but the world at large.

He urged the university alumni to continue to support the university to enhance education growth and development. (NAN)
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/ Tukur Muntari.