Blog

NAN-HE-18

Confirmation

by Kazeem Akande

Lagos, Oct 13, 2016 (NAN) Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have confirmed Mr Ayodele Zubair as the Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, had sent Zubair’s name to the House for approval as the new LIRS boss.

Zubair, born in 1960, is a graduate of Accounting from Manchester Polytechnic,and worked for five years at Pricewater before he later became one of the directors at his father’s firm, Hamzat Zubair Folami & Co.

He is a fellow of some professional bodies in the country, among which are Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Institute of Taxation.

The new LIRS boss told the lawmakers before his confirmation that he had worked as one of the pioneer directors at the state Lottery Board.

He promised to bring transformation to the tax collection process in the state, noting that through computerisation and collaboration, better results would be achieved.

Zubair promised to beam his searchlight more on those in the informal sector and incorporate them into the tax net of the state.

“Informal sector is very significant for effective tax collection.

“We shall, for a start, introduce presumptive tax at the informal sector, and through this, we will subsequently get additional information to raise more revenue.

“Through technology, computerisation and collaboration, there would  be coordination to have sufficient data about every prospective tax payer,” Zubair said.(NAN)

AKA/ GOM/SOA

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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Oluwole Sogunle

UN General Assembly approves appointment of Antonio Guterres as Sec.-Gen.

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Scribe

New York, Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The UN General Assembly on Thursday endorsed former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres’ appointment as UN Secretary-General.

He will start his five-year term as UN Secretary -General from January.

The 193-member assembly passed a resolution by consensus to officially approve a recommendation from the 15-member UN Security Council, which had previously appointed Guterres.

Peter Thomson, President of the UN General Assembly, praised the transparent selection process that led to the election of Guterres.

Guterres formerly served as the head of the UN refugee agency.

“I’m confident that Guterres will serve the global community with dedication as a moral authority and be the voice of our moral conscience and humanity throughout his term,” Thomson said.

Guterres will replace current UN chief Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, whose second term is coming to an end in December after serving 10 years in the post.

During the election process, which for the first time in the UN’s 71-year history included open hearings with all 13 candidates, Guterres emerged as a well-spoken and experienced leader.

He has a thorough knowledge of international affairs and the UN system.

Guterres, who has also been praised for his language skills, thanked UN member states for electing him.

He addressed the assembly in English, French and Spanish, which are three of the UN’s six official languages.

He promised to be “a convener, a mediator, a bridge-builder and an honest broker” in a world facing large challenges.

“The dramatic problems of today’s complex world can only inspire a humble approach – one in which the secretary-general alone neither has all the answers, nor seeks to impose his views,” he said.

Guterres later told reporters that he felt “deep solidarity” with the Syrian people who have been swept up in the largest humanitarian crisis currently faced.

“I’ll do my best to serve the cause of peace for the Syrian people,” he said.

Ban called Guterres a “wonderful choice to steer” the UN, welcoming his successor in four languages, English, French, Spanish and Guterres’ native Portuguese.

“Above all, Mr Secretary- General designates, congratulations, félicitations, felicitaciones, parabens!” Ban said. (dpa/NAN)

OYE/OU

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Canada questions EU as trade deal hangs in balance

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Deal
Karlsruhe, (Germany), Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Canada’s Prime Minister on Thursday, warned European leaders that failure to follow through on a massive EU-Canada trade deal could affect the EU’s ability to do business in the future.

“It’s time for Europe to decide what the European Union for is,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a news conference with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

The criticism came hours after the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU cleared a legal hurdle in Germany amid anti-globalisation criticism.

“If in a week or two we see that Europe is unable to sign a progressive trade agreement with a country like Canada, then with whom does Europe think it could to business in the years to come.

“In this post-Brexit situation, when there are many questions about Europe’s “usefulness.

“If Europe cannot manage to sign this agreement then that sends a very clear message not just to Europeans but to the whole world that Europe is choosing a path that is not very productive either for the world or for its citizens.

“That would be a shame,’’ Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister said.

His comments followed a ruling by the top court in export juggernaut Germany that the free-trade pact would not violate the German constitution.

The ruling means that Berlin has the go-ahead to give its blessing to the deal at an EU meeting on Tuesday.

The deal has been slammed as dangerous to European standards and has been linked to a similar, unpopular trade deal between the US and the European Union, TTIP.

German Economic Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who has had to balance his job’s trade promotion remit with hesitancy from his Social Democrats Party, joined business leaders in welcoming the ruling.

Gabriel said he was “very satisfied” with the outcome of the Constitutional Court hearing.

On a similar note, Ulrich Grillo, who heads up the Federation of German Industry (BDI) said he was relieved by the verdict on the CETA.

Opponents of the agreement between the EU and the world’s 10th biggest economy had appealed to the court to stop the German government from approving the agreement at a meeting of EU trade ministers scheduled for Oct. 18.

In handing down its decision, the court imposed certain conditions for Berlin’s approval of the deal.

This includes ensuring decisions made by CETA’s joint bodies were democratic and that Germany could possibly withdraw from the deal.

Gabriel insisted that the conditions imposed by the court had already, to an extent, been fulfilled.

“With this modern free trade agreement, the EU is taking an important step towards shaping globalisation according to our European values,” said Grillo.

Echoing Grillo, Ulrich Ackermann from the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) said: “The verdict is also a clear signal to our trading partners around the world that the EU is ready for comprehensive trade agreements.

The VDMA represents one of Germany’s key export sectors.

The Karlsruhe-based court issued the ruling less than 24 hours after also hearing arguments from critics which included Germany’s hard-left party, Die Linke.

Others are citizens’ action group More Democracy and the consumer organisation Foodwatch representing tens of thousands of opponents.

The court plans to issue a more detailed judgement at a later stage.

CETA is to be formally signed at a summit of EU leaders and Candian leader Trudeau in Brussels on Oct. 27.

The summit would then launch the ratification process with all of the EU’s 28 national parliaments as well as the Canadian parliament having to agree to the accord.

However, the accord could still run into opposition in other parts of Europe, including Belgium.

CETA critics had sought to head off the agreement provisionally coming into force in the EU before the approval of national parliaments, with the European Parliament likely to consider the deal possibly by the end of the year.

EU and Canadian leaders argue that by abolishing tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers as set out under the agreement will help to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

CETA opponents claim the trade deal will lower the EU’s consumer and environmental standards and that the negotiations were held behind closed doors.

The EU is Canada’s second most important trading partner after the United States.

Consequently, CETA is also considered by officials as helping set the stage plans for TTIP, which is facing even stiffer opposition on both sides of the Atlantic. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AFA
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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NAN-F-19

Hurricane
New York, Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will visit Haiti at the weekend to meet with communities affected by Hurricane Matthew and access the humanitarian needs of the victims.

At least 473 people were killed and more than 175,000 forced to seek emergency shelter in the wake of last week’s hurricane, which caused widespread devastation.

Ban will meet on Saturday with residents, government officials and aid workers.

Stephane Dujarric, Ban’s spokesman, said the UN scribe would visit the city of Les Cayes, one of the hardest-hit areas accompanied by the interim President Jocelerme Privert.

He said that the amount of humanitarian funding needed to provide much needed assistance for the people of Haiti is not coming as expected.

Dujarric said that out of the 120 million dollars required; only 6.1 million dollars had been donated so far. (dpa/NAN)

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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-94

Water

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Coordinator of water sports at the Nigerian Army Sports Festival, Tunde Giwa-Daramola, says he is optimistic of a robust participation in water sports.

Giwa-Daramola said at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday that all the army divisions were expected to take part in the event.

“We are expecting about 30 participants from the Army and various formations around the country, the Navy Sailing club group and the federation athletes from different states.

“All logistics have been put in place to accommodate over 30 athletes for the event,’’ he said.

He commended the leadership of the Chief of Army staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for showing so much interest in water sports.

“We are very proud of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for showing so much interest in water sports and for believing that water sports has a future in this country.

“The Nigerian Army will participate as an entity in the 2017sportsfestival,” he said.

Giwa-Daramola said with the landmark achievements recorded revealed that “it is a sports with bright future for Nigeria with so much expected from the new army trainees.(NAN)

DE/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-21

Volleyball

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The male volleyball team of 81 Division, Lagos, on Thursday continued their winning streak as they defeated Army Headquarters 3-0 to make it four straight wins in a row.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ongoing Nigerian Army Sports Festival taking place in Abuja entered its sixth day.

The game between 81 Div., Lagos and AHQ played at Package B of the National Stadium, saw the Division’s male team defeat their AHQ counterparts in straight sets 25-16, 25-20 and 25-19.

Levi Igbokwe proved once again to be the hit man for his side as he scored 34 of  81 Division’s points.

Igbokwe was a thorn in the flesh of the AHQ team as they found it extremely difficult to block his barrage of powerful strikes.

“The victory belongs to the team. Our serves and blocks were on point.

“Our captain also played a vital role as the `libro’. He was very mobile and ensured that they were no loose balls.

“We will be playing our final match tomorrow (Friday) and it doesn’t matter whether we lose or win; it would be a mere formality. The gold medal is already ours,’’ Igbokwe said.

In other matches played on Thursday, 1 Div., Kaduna defeated 3 Div., Jos, 3-0, while 2 Div., Ibadan, lost 1-3 to 81 Div., Lagos in the male category.

In the female category, the 1 Division team came from behind to defeat their 81 Division counterparts 1-3 in a four-set encounter to extend their lead to 4 wins in a row with 12 points.

Also Team 2 Division with nine points boosted their chances of finishing second with a 3-0 win over 81 Division.

Team AHQ on their part, defeated 82 Division 3-0 to record their first win of the competition.

The 81 Division male team, with nine points take on 1 Div with six points for the gold medal, while AHQ with seven points play 82 Division with no points for a podium finish.

Meanwhile 2 Division with nine points will also do battle against 3 Division with no points for the silver medal on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)

VO/AMY

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Edited by Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

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Cleaner
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct.13, 2016 (NAN) Mr Abayomi Oluwole, a cleaner at Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA2), in Lagos, has been promoted to the position of Supervisor because of his honesty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that Oluwole had on July 30, returned a passenger’s items to the security desk.
Oluwole found a bag containing cash, two cheque books, one international passport, two iPhone 5 handsets and car’s papers, among others and handed them over to security officials at the terminal.

They handed them over to the owner, who was full of praises for his honest conduct.
On Thursday, the management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), honoured Oluwole.
Capt. Jari Williams, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, presented Oluwole with a Certificate of Commendation, a table fridge and money.
Williams said the gesture was aimed at promoting the culture of truthfulness and uprightness in the work place.
“What the young man has done, without being prompted, is a reflection of what BASL instills in its staff and service providers: that honesty, service delivery and good customer-relation pay”, he said.
According to him, the vision of the terminal operator is to keep to best practices, doing things the right way, and providing top notch services from time to time to satisfy passengers’ needs and expectations.
Williams advised Oluwole to continue the good work, noting that honesty with hard work have rewards.
Mrs Ikeoluwapo Erinoluwa, Head, Human Resource, BASL, said the gesture was to promote the values that Oluwole’s action symbolised and to encourage others to emulate him.
Oluwole is an employee of Spakleen Professional, the concessionaire in charge of MMA2 upkeep. (NAN)
ASO/KOO/IEA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-S-19

Basketball
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Army Headquarters’ (AHQ) basketball teams on Thursday showed their dominance in the male and female basketball event respectively, defeating their opponents to reach the finals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that both teams had been ruthless during the round robin stages, posting blowout wins to reach the semi-finals.

The male basketball semi-final match saw AHQ defeat 1 Div., Kaduna 74-61, while the AHQ female team out- dunked 81 Division, Lagos 64-16.

The AHQ male team dominated the first and second quarter, but lost a little steam in the third quarter.
They, however, finished strong in the fourth quarter, winning 15-12, 23-14,16-20, 20-15.

Taiwo Tanko of AHQ was the most valuable player of the match as he amassed a total of 30 points.

He was closely followed by Odukunle Odunuga, captain of 1 Division who amassed 28 points for his side.

“Our team has got depth and a lot of experience. This is what has seen us through from the round robin stages up to this point.

“We are glad to be in the final and hope we can finish up by winning the ultimate prize.

“It wouldn’t be an easy match because we would also be playing a formidable side in 81 Division, Lagos, who have also been on a 3-match winning streak,’’ Tanko said.

Odunuga, on his part, said that his team played a very formidable side, adding, however, that most of his teammates were suffering from exhaustion after taking part in several other events.

“We have a good first team, but our bench is depleted as we don’t have enough substitutes to replace some fatigued players.

“We are, however, happy for at least making it this far. We will be playing 2 Div., Ibadan, in the third place match on Friday and we are confident that we can claim the bronze medal,’’ he said.

The other semi-final encounter also played on Thursday, saw 81 Div, Lagos, walk-over 2 Div., Ibadan, to book a final berth against AHQ on Friday.

In the female category, AHQ who have won all their three matches so far in the tournament, amassing a total of 9 points, will take on 1 Div., Kaduna, for the ultimate prize.

In the third place match, 2 Div., Ibadan, with two wins and a loss, will battle 81 Division, Lagos, who have won only one match for the bronze medal.

NAN reports that the Sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8, will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)

VO/AMY

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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

BBC to cut 300 jobs amid studio commercialisation

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Jobs
London, Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The BBC says it plans to cut some 300 jobs as it commercialises its studios after they lost the right to make at least half of the broadcaster’s programmes in-house.

The state-funded British broadcaster said on Thursday that it had worked in recent months to ensure BBC Studios “keeps creativity at the core while operating competitively and efficiently in the market place.

This is following the removal of a guarantee that 50 per cent of BBC programmes are made in-house.

It said the plans form part of a wider initiative to make the BBC “simpler, leaner and more adaptable to meet the challenges of the future.”

“It had already saved 2 billion dollars through improved productivity.

“However, we have also said more savings need to be found and staffing, which accounts for about a quarter of the BBC’s costs has to play its part in that.

“A strong, creative and competitive BBC Studios is crucial to maintaining the BBC’s role as one of the world’s great programme makers.

“We are committed to delivering the best content in all our genres, these plans will ensure we can compete successfully in the future, ” Mark Linsey, Director of BBC Studios said. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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