Blog

Lagos company employee arraigned for head-butting police inspector
NAN-H-7
Policeman
By Ngozi Njoku
Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) After pleading not guilty to giving a policeman a head-butt, 36-year-old Temitope Fagbemi, is on temporary reprieve as he was granted a N50, 000 bail by a Lagos court.

Fagbemi, an employee of Superior Belt and Game Company, Maryland, Lagos, is being tried for serious assault at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum.

The sureties are required to deposit N25, 000 each in the account of the court’s Chief Registrar.

In addition, Sule-Amzat said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the government.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the policeman, an inspector, attached to the company, was assaulted by the accused.

“The inspector reported the assault at Anthony Police Station.

“The accused and some of his colleagues had a disagreement and this prompted the intervention of the inspector.

“Suddenly, the accused got provoked and he took on the policeman; he held his uniform and gave him a head-butt.

“He sustained injuries on his head and mouth, “Ihiehie said.

The offences contravened Section 172 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, on conviction, may be sentenced to a three-year jail term.

Counsel to the accused, Mr A.O Aliu, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

But the prosecutor objected to the bail, informing the court that the accused had jumped police bail leading to the arrest of his surety.

The case was adjourned to Oct. 31 for mention. (NAN)
NG/KOLE/DA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Dele Akinsola

Sokoto State Govt. approves N246m for construction of 39 boreholes

NAN-AE-2
Boreholes
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Sokoto Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Executive Council on Friday approved the construction of 39 additional boreholes across the state at the cost N246 million, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The State’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, disclosed this at a news briefing on the outcome of the weekly executive council meeting in Sokoto.

He said that the project was aimed at boosting water supply for both human and animal consumption.

The commissioner explained that already 30 per cent down payment had been made to the contractor by the state government.

Tureta appealed to residents to always report broken down boreholes and pipes for prompt repairs. (NAN)
AAG/TO/AFA
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye /Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-46
Roads
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Enugu State Government says it will continue to fix failed portions of federal roads in the state in spite of the N22.8 billion being owed it by the government for rehabilitation of federal roads.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, made the statement on Friday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the state Executive Council.

He described the poor state of federal roads in the state as `worrisome.’

Udeuhele said the state government had previously spent huge amount of money in rehabilitating some federal roads in the state and expressed optimism that the money would be reimbursed in due time.

He said that the state government could not afford to gloss over the deplorable state of the federal roads in the state.

He said, “the roads are used by our people and their deplorable state is affecting economic activities.’’

Udeuhele said that the latest approval made by the government was the rehabilitation of some failed sections of Enugu-Onitsha highway at the cost of N114.8 million.

According to the commissioner, the job was awarded to Comag Steel and Construction Company Ltd.

“This approval is as a result of the negative effects of the poor state of the road on the economic and social life of the people.

“It is also manifestation of the governor’s commitment to improve the lives of the people,” he said.

The commissioner said that all was set for the simultaneous commencement of construction of road projects in all the 17 local government areas of the state on Saturday.

He said that the council also approved the engagement of Trusthouse Investment Ltd. as investment adviser to the government.

Udeuhele said the council gave approval that N880,307 be paid to him as his commission for the revenue he generated for the state. (NAN)

EOA/MNA/AEA
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-9

Concession

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has summoned trade unions in the sector for a meeting on Oct.18 to deliberate on the looming crisis in the industry.

Mr Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

NAN reports that the committee had said it would convene a public hearing to discuss the proposed concession of some airport terminals by the Federal Government, among other issues.

Abioye told NAN that the unions would continue to oppose the concession of the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports.

He said:” We have been officially invited to appear between Oct. 18 and. Oct. 20 before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

“The letter said we are to deliberate on the looming crisis in the industry but we know that airports concession is one of the things we will be talking about.

“We are profoundly against the concession of our airports because that is not the best option.

“If there are areas of weakness, it is not concession that will stop the problems. We need to sit down together, look at such areas and proffer workable solutions to such problems.”

According to him, there are about 80 per cent of activities that have been concessioned at the airports but over 40 per cent are currently embroiled in litigation.

“So, we want to avoid the mistakes of the past and move forward because our industry is the engine room of the nation’s economy and we cannot afford to play politics with it, he said. (NAN)

ASO/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-HE-13
Gas
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The  Federal Government says it  is developing a creative and innovative gas policy as well as regulatory frameworks to meet the aspirations of the Nigerian people  and prospective investors.

The Minster of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said this at the Powering Africa Conference in Abuja on Friday.

Kachikwu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Fiscal Matters, Dr Timothy Okon, said that the move became imperative because of the large gas reserves in the country.

He said because of the abundance of gas reserves in the country, Nigeria should be a gas-based economy and not one hinged on oil.

The minister said that Nigeria  had been exposed  to  a  favourable  international  gas environment marked by high prices, strong global demand and large  flows of investment .

He said there  were opportunities for investments in emerging markets for power and gas- based industrialisation such as in petrochemicals, methanol and fertiliser.

Kachikwu said that government had over the years developed various initiatives to encourage investment in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the gas value chain.

He said that government’s vision was to extend gas penetration in the domestic market to facilitate the growth of electric power and the industrial sector.

Other reasons, he said, were  to ensure the presence of  Nigerian gas in the international market as well as to end gas flaring and address environmental challenges.(NAN)
KC/TO/OJO
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(Edited by Tola Okinbloye and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-HG-12
UNICEF
By Kate Obande
Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said it would establish a girls group in schools to address the abuse and challenges facing the Nigerian Girl-Child.

Mrs Azuka Menkiti, an Education Specialist with UNICEF, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Menkiti said that that the planned group would be called “Girls for Girls Group (G4G)’’.

She said that the group would serve as a forum for girls to interact with the professional women, who had excelled in life, to help them build self-confidence.

“We want girls in our society to accept that they are great people.

“We want to build their confidence so that they can aspire higher and not limit their thinking and dreams to household chores.

“We want them to speak out when violated, and train them on how to prevent domestic violence or any other form of abuse.

“The group will improve their attitude toward enrollment, retention and completion of their education,’’ she said.

Menkiti said that UNICEF was working with the Federal Government to see how the issue of girl’s education would be placed in the front burner of the nation’s policy.

The specialist said that the organisation was determined to address the barrier that kept the girl-child out of schools.

She also mentioned the Girls Education Project (GEP) as part of the programmes established by UNICEF to promote the girl- child education.

According to her, the programme is operational in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Niger and Kebbi. (NAN)
KTE/DUA/GOK
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Olagoke Olatoye
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NAN-H-45
Returnees
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said that no fewer than 562 Nigerians have returned in batches from Libya in the last three months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was contained in the data made available in Lagos by Mr Ekekiel Manzo, NEMA’s Information Officer.

Manzo said that 167 returned from Libya in June, 241 in August and 154 in October under the Assisted Voluntary Returnee initiative of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

He said that Dr Nahashon Thuo, the head of IOM Office in Lagos, said the returnees had opted to return voluntarily, adding that the Swedish and Swiss governments assisted in the successful process.

Manzo said that the returnees were received by officials of NEMA, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Police, the Air Force and the IOM on their arrival.

He said 154 returnees were received on Oct. 10 by the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, who was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Salisu Mohammed.

“ The returnees comprised 96 women and 58 men. There were nine pregnant women, three minors and three others with medical challenges,’’ he said.

Sidi, he said, warned Nigerians at the forum against travelling out of the country unless they were sure of legitimate and decent employment where they intended to go.

He said that one of the returnees, Miss Omogui Happiness, commended the Federal Government and IOM for facilitating her return after a harrowing experience in the quest to enter Europe through Libya.

Recounting her ordeal, she said it was by God’s grace that she survived a boat mishap on the Mediterranean sea after three nights of floating on the water.

”We ended up being detained for about four months before the opportunity for the voluntary return back home came our way,” she said. (NAN)
YO/IS/OJO
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(Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-31
Commendation

Lagos, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) Some clerics on Friday commended the Federal Government over the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The clerics, however, advised the government to ensure the full rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration of the girls.

Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Bishops Mathew Audu and Felix Ajakaye, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that efforts should also be intensified to release the remaining girls.

It would be recalled that 217 Chibok girls were abducted on April 14, 2014 from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno by Boko Haram insurgents during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said, “ this is cheering news to the parents that they would be reunited with their abducted daughters after a long while.

“ Personally, I received the news with mixed feelings, because, the girls must have been brain-washed and abused by their abductors during the period; some may have been forcefully married out against their wishes.

“The abduction brought shame to Nigeria and the international community said that Nigeria was not safe for investors to do business.

“I call on governments at all level to make security a priority in this country, especially with the incessant cases of kidnapping, even in our schools.

“It is only when this is achieved that I can say it is totally good news to me,’’ he said.

Audu of the Catholic Diocese Lafia, North Central Nigeria, said, “ It is good news that the girls are still alive as at the time of their release by their abductors.

“We pray that the remaining ones will be released very soon.

“I advise the federal government to organise a comprehensive rehabilitation for the girls, as they must have passed through various traumas and abuses in the hands of their abductors during their captivity.

“They will need good counsellors and psychologists to counsel them on post-abduction, before being reintegrated into the society.

“Also, the government must keep their identities very secret from the larger society so that they will not be stigmatized,’’ Audu said.

Also, Ajakaye, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, called on the government to take special interests in the mental, physical and social welfare of the girls and their parents.

“These months would have been very traumatic for these girls.

“They have experienced untold hardships and ordeals during the period of separation in the hands of their abductors.

“So, they must be properly handled by experts; their parents, especially their mothers, must also be expertly handled.

“Nigerians must come together to fight and expunge evil and savagery in our country,’’ he said. (NAN)
ECO/VIV/MZA
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

Nasarawa residents  laud released of 21 Chibok girls
NAN-H-44
Chibok
By Awaayi Kuje
Karu (Nasarawa state), Oct.15, 2016 (NAN) Some Nasarawa State residents have hailed the efforts of the Federal Government in  negotiating the release of the 21 abducted Chibok girls held by Boko Haram insurgents

They gave the commendation in a separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karu Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

According to them, the release of the abducted girls has proved that the Federal Government is committed toward ending Boko Haram in the country.

The residents called on Nigerians to joining hands with government to tackle the security challenges facing the country.

Alhaji Abu Sani, a trader in Karu, said the traders were happy about the release, adding:“the news is not only exciting but also give us the hope that the remaining Chibok girls will be released.

“I commend the Federal Government’s  efforts and commitments for ensuring the release of the abducted Chibok girls,” Sani said.

Sani called on Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its fight to end insurgency and other security challenges facing the country so that the people could go about their normal activities without fear.

Another trader, Mrs. Esther Nicodemus, also lauded the Federal Government commitment for the return peace in the North-East,  adding that no society could develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.

“I am also joining other Nigerians to express my joy and to commend the Federal Government for the release of the Chibok girls so that they can be reunited with their parents and other families members,” Nicodemus said.

Mr Mohammed Abdullahi and Mr Bulus John, told NAN in Karu that they were happy with the release of the 21 Chibok girls and also laud the Federal Government effort in that direction.

NAN also recall that on April 14, 2014 Boko Haram insurgents abducted over 2oo school girls in Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno. (NAN)
AKW/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-6
Seedlings
Birnin Kebbi, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) In a bid to boost agriculture and enhance food security, the Kebbi government plans to distribute seedlings to 10,000 farmers at subsidised rates.

Alhaji Garba Dandiga, the Commissioner for Agriculture, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi, on Friday.

He said the distribution of the seedlings would facilitate mass production of crops and encourage more people to take to farming.

“We will distribute wheat, rice, tomatoes, guinea-corn and Sesame seedlings to our registered farmers,” Dandiga said.

He said the state government would also provide fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides and other relevant agricultural implements to achieve bumper harvest.

“We will commence the distribution of the seedlings as soon as possible to avoid lateness,” the commissioner said.

Dandiga urged farmers who benefitted from the Anchor Borrower Scheme to hasten repayment of the loan to enable others to benefit.

He said the government would soon commence another round of loan disbursement to deserving farmers.

Dandiga said that the end had justified the means in the Anchor Borrower Scheme, as the initial target was to produce 2 million metric tons of paddy rice, which had been exceeded.

NAN reports that the state government has registered another 5,000 farmers to produce tomatoes in commercial quantity.

The pilot scheme has commenced in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state. (NAN)
BKD/FLP/SOA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Oluwole Sogunle