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Communications Ministry inaugurates committee on legal advisers

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Committee

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Communications has inaugurated a six-man committee of Legal Advisers for the ministry and its agencies to harmonise laws establishing the sector.

This information is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Mrs Funmi Oyemade, Deputy Director (Press), in the ministry.

Oyemade said that the mandate is to harmonise the laws establishing the ministry, its agencies and the ICT sector.

She said the committee would also advise the ministry and its agencies on issues relating to contract agreements, cyber security and effectively “co-ordinate the legal system to address the challenges facing the ministry and the status of its agencies’’.

The members are drawn from the legal advisers of the ministry and its agencies, including the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee is the first of its kind since the creation of the ministry. (NAN)

COA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Council chairman tasks parents on polio immunisation

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Immunisation

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman  Abdullahi  Candido has appealed to parents and guardians to release their children and wards for polio immunisation, to reduce the number of disabled children in the society.

Candido made the appealed at the launch of the 2016 Outbreak Response Round 2 on Friday in Abuja.

He advised parents and guardians to take advantage of the free house-to-house anti-polio campaign and fixed post outbreak response  to bring out their children and wards between ages 0-59 months for immunisation.

He said that this would go a long way in reducing the number of crippled and disabled children in the country.

The chairman further urged traditional rulers, women leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders to come out en masse to join the fight against polio

He also urged residents to give maximum support to the vaccinators, while calling on elected leaders to offer support for the campaign programme to rid the Abuja of polio.

Candido said that the council would ensure positive outcome of the implementation of the outbreak response against polio, adding that the increasing influx of people into the capital city made it more compelling.

“We are all aware that poliomyelitis can deform our children and cut short their future; that is why all effort is being made to ensure that every child is immunised in the council.”

He said that the vaccinators were fully mobilised for the job, adding that the council had produced identity cards for them for easy identification as they go from house-to-house.

Dr Modupe Adeyinka, the Head of Health Department, AMAC, commended the move to vaccinate children in the council, saying that this would prevent polio and other related diseases in the capital city.

He said that all hand would be on deck as the council was moving toward achieving a polio free city. (NAN)

BOL/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-HE-7
Forex
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a Special Secondary Market Intervention Retail Sales (SMIS) for airlines operating in the country to enable them to access foreign exchange.

Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, announced the plan in a statement  in Abuja on Friday.

Odaudu explained that the intervention was a direct result of the interaction with CBN by the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on behalf of the airlines.

He said the intervention was an important one off exercise dedicated to the clearance of the backlog of matured foreign exchange obligations.

Odaudu said the resolution by the apex bank to intervene in the Inter-Bank foreign exchange market through forward settlement was expected to engender market confidence.

According to him, it will also ensure access to Forex by the airlines to settle their obligations and sustain the integrity of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Foreign Exchange market.

“The import of this peculiar exercise is that the CBN will not apply the relevant provisions under clause 2.4.3 (i) of its Revised Guidelines for the Operation of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Foreign Exchange Market.
“It provides that ‘all SMIS bids shall be submitted to the CBN through the FXPDs.’
“Consequently, CBN shall receive bids from all the authorised dealers.
“The CBN will also not apply the relevant provisions that ‘Spot Forex sold to any particular end-user shall not exceed one per cent of the overall available funds on offer at each SMIS session.’
“According to the CBN, whereas the bids are on Spot Forex basis as the Authorised Dealers’ accounts with the CBN will be debited in full for the naira equivalent of the dollar bid amount.
“The CBN will settle the bids through forward settlements of two months,’’  Odaudu said.

He said that customers that were not willing to accept the settlement terms had been advised not to participate in this Special SMIS- Retail.
Odaudu credited Sirika as describing the special intervention by CBN as a “great relief’’ for airline operators in the country.
He said the operators had complained bitterly over their inability to access the required Foreign Exchange to settle the backlog of their obligations which had adversely affected their operations.
Sirika said the aviation sector was critical to the nation’s economy, adding that CBN had taken the right decision that would strengthen existing airlines and inspire confidence in aspiring operators.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that airline operators at a recent meeting with the minister complained of a lack of access to Forex.

The airlines said that many airlines were not operating profitably.
Sirika, at the meeting promised, to take up the issues with the authorities of the apex bank and seek for intervention on their behalf.
Also to benefit from the intervention is raw materials and machineries for manufacturing companies and agricultural chemicals. (NAN)
OYS/FF/JCE
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-‎64
Projects

By Mohammed Nur

Kano, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government has approved N837 million for the reconstruction of 14 km Gwarmai to Kofa road in Bebeji local government and Zaria road. ‎

The commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting on Friday in Kano.

He said that the council also approved N600 million for the construction of additional classrooms across the state to facilitate educational development in the state.

Garba said the council approved N94 million for the construction of office complex for Shariah courts at the premises of Audu Bako secretariat.

“The council also approved N77 million for the accreditation of National Certificate of Education at the famous state College of Art, Science and Remedial Studies (CARS).

‎“The council also approved N22.5 million for the total rehabilitation of Garko Shariah Court complex,’’ he said.‎

Garba said that the council had approved another N21 million for the conversion of government building to Government Girls Arabic Junior Secondary School.‎

The commissioner said that the state government would continue the development of infrastructure across the state as part of effort to improve the welfare of the people. (NAN)‎

MNT/IS/MTM/

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/Tukur Muntari.

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Transporter
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) A transporter, Metu Ikoku, who allegedly stole his employer’s N5.5 million, was on Friday released on bail on the order of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

He was granted bail in the sum of  N500, 000 and two responsible sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Ikoku, 53, an employee of Ifeanyi Chukwu Transport Company, is facing a five-count charge bordering on stealing, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

Prosecutor Emmanuel Silas told the court that the accused committed the offences between March and May 2015 at Ifeanyi Chukwu Transport Company premises at Ido in Oyingbo, Lagos.

He alleged that the accused with a man still at large had refused to remit the sum of N5.5 million into the company’s account; instead, converted it to personal use.

The offences breached Sections 284, 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused risks 15 years in jail on conviction, according to Section 312.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Ajibade, adjourned further hearing till Nov. 1. (NAN)
OAT/IOI/DEB/DA
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Edited By Debo Oshundun/Dele Akinsola

Albino Foundation wants policy to address vision impairment

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Policy

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Albino Foundation (TAF), an NGO, on Friday called on the Federal Government to formulate an eye care policy that would address challenges of vision impairment in the country.

Mr Jake Epelle, Founder of the organisation, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja against the backdrop of the commemoration of this year’s World Sight Day on Oct 13.

He stressed the need for government to work with stake holders to formulate an eye care policy in the country that is well articulated and streamlined for effective implementation, adding that no fewer than 40 million Nigerians have one form of vision impairment with inadequate access to care.

Epelle, who outlined the challenges and possible solutions in addressing issues of sight among Nigerians, said that the policy would further promote and provide a guide for development partners, ophthalmologists and optometrists to function efficiently.

According to Epelle, the ophthalmologists and optometrists that are responsible for providing care to the visually impaired in the country were at conflict with no collaboration among them.

He said the conflict had lingered over the years which have affected their common objective of providing succour to the vision impaired individuals in the society.

“This challenges confronting the two organisations have lingered because there is no eye care policy in the country, no specific policy document and therefore no policy direction.

“We want the government to intervene and find a lasting solution to all the challenges both organisations are confronted with,’’ he said.

He added that the eye care policy would stipulate a clear mandate of operation for each organisation thereby providing a common platform for both organisations to work effectively.

Epelle explained that Albinism as a group of hereditary disorders that involve an abnormality of melanin distribution which clinically presents as a pigmentation abnormality of the skin, hair and eyes.

He said persons living with albinism were among the group of persons who expresses sight challenge of low vision.

He said oculocutaneous albinism involves both the skin and the eyes while ocular albinism affects the eyes with minimal or no skin involvement.

The founder further called on government and stakeholders to create more awareness and provide intervention strategy to the visually challenged person in the society especially those residing in rural communities. (NAN)

TIM/EAL/MST
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-55

PDP

By Oloniruha Emmanuel and Abiemwense Moru
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) A House Representatives member, Rep. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members to close rank for unity ahead of Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo state.

He said that reconciliation and unity in the party was imperative now because division within the party was the cause of its failure in the Sept. 28 governorship election in Edo.

Agbonayinma, who represents Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha Constituency of Edo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that PDP would have won the Edo poll if it was united.

“We went to the election with two candidates, one for Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and the other for Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

“We all went to the election divided and some of us saw ourselves as enemies.

“We forgot that we are brothers and we can only win when we are together. We cannot win when there is division.

“We failed to realise that united we stand, divided we fall.

“It was obvious that the disunity among us led to the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) victory in Edo. So, we shouldn’t blame anybody; we should blame ourselves,’’ he said.

The lawmaker, therefore, said that PDP must go to the Ondo poll as one party if it must be victorious in the election.

He commended the courage of Sheriff and Makarfi on their reconciliation move, and called on all members, including elders and leaders, of the party to join the peace process.

He pointed out that if the peace path being taken by the party now was adopted before the election in Edo, “PDP would have won that election’’.

Agbonayinma described Makarfi and Sheriff as eminent leaders who had contributed to the development of PDP and Nigeria, and urged them to ensure that the crisis was resolved before the election in Ondo state.

“I am optimistic that the crisis would be resolve before Ondo poll and that is what we are working towards. It will be the best thing that will happen to our party.

“That is what I think every meaningful member of PDP will wish; we should all wish and work that before election in Ondo, we will be united and what happened to us in Edo will not repeat itself.

“There is no party that does not have crisis, even APC has its own crisis which is even worse than that of PDP, but today I think we are forging ahead.’’

On decision of the party on outcome of the Edo poll, Agbonayinma said that he supported Sheriff’s stance that facts and figures of what happened in the election should first be studied.

He, however, disclosed that as an indigene of Edo, he was on ground and observed the election, adding that he was happy with voters’ turnout and could say that the poll was peaceful in his constituency.

“The election was free, fair and just. Election cannot be 100 per cent perfect, even in America or elsewhere in the world.

“ I stand to say that election in Edo, I think we must give kudos to INEC for the way they conducted themselves and the exercise.

“Instead of inconclusive election, we had a conclusive one,’’ he said. (NAN)
OBE/AMM/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-16
Products
Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Sule Magaji of the Department of Economics, University of Abuja has called on the Federal Government to strengthen awareness that will encourage Nigerians to patronise local products .

Magaji made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said that patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods would facilitate the country’s recovery from economic recession.

He told NAN that dependence on imported products was detrimental to the growth of the economy.

The don said that reliance on locally produced commodities had the tendency to generate employment, conserve foreign exchange and revitalise the value of the naira.

He blamed dependence on imported goods in the country on ignorance.

Magaji said that local products were not as substandard as many imported commodities.

“To change this trend, there must be a kind of awareness for people to know the importance of patronising locally produced goods and services.

“We must use all necessary measures –  traditional rulers, religious leaders and all other avenues – to discourage people from patronising foreign goods,” he said.

He said that relying on imported goods and services would only help to boost the economy of other countries at the expense of Nigeria. (NAN)

IMC/EEM/IGO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Ijeoma Popoola)

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Station
By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Omu-Aran Youth Forum (OYF) in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Friday hailed the state government for locating a fire service station in Omu-Aran.

The Forum President, Pastor Doyin Lawal, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran.

He described the establishment as fulfillment of promise, noting that the station was the second in Kwara South Senatorial District.

He noted the first fire service station in the district was located at Offa.

“The community has just witnessed the establishment of Airtel and MTN service centres to serve numerous telecom subscribers in the locality, among several other expansion projects.

“It is worthy of note that much goods and other property had been lost to fire in Omu-Aran and Offa in the last four years.

“Therefore, establishing a fire station to complement the one in Offa is a welcome development.

“It is also a promise fulfilled on the part of the present administration; we are grateful for this intervention,’’ he said.

The OYF boss appealed to the three tiers of government to channel more resources toward attracting youths to mechanised farming.

“This is a sure way and veritable alternative to bail the country out of the present economic downturn,’’ he said.

Chief Mogbonjubola Awoniyi, the Market Leader in the council area, also told NAN  that the establishment of the station would allay traders’ fears of destruction of their goods by fire.

Awoniyi urged the traders not to hesitate in notifying the station in the event of any fire outbreak.

She called on the traders to stop keeping huge amounts of money in shops and warehouses to minimise loss as a result of fire outbreak

Awoniyi said that the establishment demonstrated the determination of the government to impact positively on the lives of the people. (NAN)
ISHO/FF/IGO

(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ijeoma Popoola)

DSS sting to Judges: Lawyers caution on handling of allegation

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Caution
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Some Abuja-based lawyers have cautioned on the handling of corruption in the judiciary, describing the issue as sensitivity and delicate.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the issue on Friday that the issue must be handled cautiously and carefully too.

Mr Collins Ndubuisi  told NAN that the NJC should be proactive in handling petitions against judicial officers, adding that the NJC spend much time to investigate and decide on issues before it.

“I think that the NJC needs to handle complaints against judges with sense of urgency. It is important to deal with such cases with dispatch in order to avoid misguided opinion by lawyers and the society at large.

“The NJC should act as a fair umpire and needs to make pronouncements that will meet the justice of any complaint. After all, justice is said to be three way traffic, the complainant, the defendant and the society at a large.

“It will always be in the interest of the NJC to strike a balance and this is the only way to ward off desperate actions or interference by the executive,” Ndubuisi said.

Similarly, Mr Martins Ochu, said corruption must not be tolerated, especially from the judiciary that had the power of life and death.

“Judges are the only authority that can pass a judgment that a man be hanged and it will be carried out. So, to allow such officers vested with such enormous powers to be corrupt will spell doom for the society,” Ochu said.

Also, Mr Elias Akor, said,  “we need to be careful not to diminish or whittle down the respect and authority of the judiciary.

“The executive arm needs to be circumspect the way and manner it wants to tackle corruption within the judiciary, otherwise it will end up throwing the baby away with the bath water.

“Once the judiciary loses its integrity, it will be difficult to restore, and the society will be the causality. Lawlessness may be enthroned as a consequence. So, caution is advised,” Akor said.

But, Umaru Usman, advised that “fighting corruption within the judiciary must be pursued through due process because judicial officers are not just any other citizen of this country.

“It is important to fight corruption within the judiciary through due process. I say this because perception is everything here, once the impression is given rightly or wrongly that a judge is corrupt, that perception sinks into the populace.

“And any decision reached by that judge one way or the other may be seen as tainted,” Usman said.

Usman, therefore, cautioned that investigation of judges must be as discreet as is humanly possible, and could be made public only when there was prima facie case.

“In this way, the sanctity of the judiciary can be preserved, while at the same time the fight against corruption rages. (NAN)
NEO/KOLE/OFN
Edited by Remi Koleoso//Felix Nwadioha