Blog

NAN-H-101

Advice

Lafia, Oct 13, 2016 (NAN) The Wife of the Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Al-makura, has advised girls to live a life of moral integrity to enable them to secure better life in the future.

She gave the advice in Lafia on Thursday when graduates from her pet project, ‘’Mother and child Care Enhancement Foundation (McCEF)’’, came to congratulate her on recent award of excellence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an Abuja-based magazine, “Tozali Magazine”, gave the governor’s wife “Award of Excellence”.

The magazine said she was the best initiator of pet projects that had direct bearing on the life of people in Abuja.

Al-Makura said: “If you are able to live moral life and uprightness, you will be able to secure better future for yourselves and good life in the future.’’

She said that by so doing, they could have confidence in themselves and brighter future that would make them succeed in life.

Al-Makura said that the society had thrown too many challenges in the way of the girls which consequently weighed them down, make them lose their confidence, sense of security and turned out largely unfulfilled.

‘’We live in very challenging times that have made our girls to be wrongly exposed and frustrated their future”.

“Some of those challenges include assault, child labour, open discrimination, rape, and domestic violence.”

The wife of the governor, who added that the challenges had negatively affected the girls, urged them not to allow that to make them fall short of societal expectations.

She further advised them to build their self-confidence and move with the assurance that they were capable of overcoming such challenges and become responsible leaders of tomorrow.

Al-Makura called on the girls to engage in deeds that would add value to them, stressing that whatever they did, now, would form the foundation of their future adult life.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Miss Aisha Muhammadu, commended Al-Makura for using her project to impact positively on the life of the ordinary citizens of the state.

She urged the governor’s wife to see the award as a challenge that would spur her to do more to uplift the social and economic condition of more people in the state.(NAN)
BAB/DUA/IA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Idris Abdulrahman
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NAN-H-99
Anniversary
By Tukuer Muntari
Kano, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Special prayer sessions would be conducted for peace and progress of Nigeria during the 10th anniversary of the coronation of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar on Friday, Nov. 4, in Sokoto.

The Chairman of the Organising committee and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, made the statement on Thursday in Kano while briefing newsmen on preparations for anniversary.

He said that other activities lined up for the occasion include International symposium on the Sokoto caliphate which would feature prominent scholars and academics from the UK, USA, Canada, the Sudan and Nigeria.
He said that during the symposium, two publications on the Caliphate would be presented and a photo exhibition would be staged.

“In addition, a model for Nana Asma’u College of Medical Sciences being promoted by the Sultan will be unfolded at the symposium,”he said.

According to the emir, a mini durbar would be staged on Nov. 5, to entertain guests expected from far and near to attend the ceremony.
NAN reports that other members of the Organising committee include the emirs of Arguing, Kazaure and Fika.

Others are the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Yariman Kano, Alhaji Umar Sanusi and Wamban Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero among others. (NAN)
MTM/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-98

Corruption

By Oloniruha Emmanuel and Abiemwense Moru

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) A member of the National Assembly, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, on Thursday called on Nigeria to support President Muhammadu Buhari and anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption.

Agbonayinma, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency of Edo in the House of Representatives, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that the wish of every patriotic Nigerian should be for the fight against corruption in the country to succeed.

“Anybody that does not want to support the fight against corruption does not mean well for the country.

“People should support the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), support the Attorney-General of the Federation for us to succeed in the fight against corruption,’’ he said.

The lawmaker pointed out that everybody should get involved in the anti-graft crusade and fight, saying that it was not for the president and anti-corruption agencies alone.

He said that Nigerians should not see the ongoing clampdown against alleged corrupt judicial officers as witch hunt.

According to him, the level of corruption in the country is too high and it is all sectors of the economy and all levels and arms of government, and if not addressed, will destroyed the system.

“Corruption is not limited to a particular sector of the economy but cuts across all sectors, including the judiciary.

“People in the petroleum sector who constituted themselves as cabal robbing the country of big income must be pursued and fished and prosecuted.

“Tomorrow you will see that when the president is trying to fight the cabal to apprehend them, people will say he does not follow due process.

“Don’t be surprised to hear such statement when the cabal is apprehended and brought to book; you hear some Nigerians crying that the president did not follow due process,’’ Agbonayinma said.

He urged all stakeholders, including the media and civil society organisations, to beam their searchlight on corrupt agencies and individuals in the country.  (NAN)
OBE/AMM/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-HE-23

Power

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Oct 13,2016(NAN) The Management of Geometric Power Ltd. says the Federal Government needs to intensify its efforts to support private-sector investments in the power sector by consolidating on the gains from the   Sector Reform Act of 2005.

The Managing Director of the Company, Mrs Agatha Nnaji,  made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of the  Powering Africa Nigerian Conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Nnaji said Federal Government had put in a lot of efforts to  set the power sector on a path of self-sustainability.

She, however, said there were still a number of impediments to the achievement of the nation’s power reliability goal.

According to her, apart from the general concerns about the Nigerian economic environment, there are specific issues which the government needs to address.

Nnaji said government needed to work on the gains made from the sector reform roadmap to continue to develop   enabling policies and enforcement of the policies and laws governing the sector.

According to her, critical areas where more work is needed include cost reflective tariff to ensure currency adjustments and other market shifts.

She said government agencies must be sensitive to private sector time and efficient management of costs in project development.

Other areas that require government attention includes the development of human capital by relevant government agencies,  attraction of knowledgeable, experienced, well-exposed personnel that understand global commercial and legal issues inherent in the power sector.

Other measures, according to her, is the mustering of strong political will to address the sectorial challenges, stable and transparent policies and respect  for contracts terms and agreements.

On Geometric Power Company, Nnaji said that the building of Aba IPP facilities would result in the improvement of quantity and quality of power supply with steady electricity.

She said that the excess power from the facilities would be sold to the national grid

She said that the project had been virtually completed and should have been delivering electricity about three years ago.

She said there were issues it encountered which  the current government was working on to ensure confidence of investors and sanctity of contracts.

She said with the support of the present government, the Aba IPP project would go into commercial operations within six months, barring any unforeseen circumstances.(NAN)

KC/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Grazing: FCTA prosecutes 16 herdsmen, impounds 32 cows, 38 sheep in Abuja

NAN-AE-14
Grazing
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on environmental sanitation have impounded 36 cows and 38 sheep, grazing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Hazat Sule, the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, 16 herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted by the Sanitation Mobile Court in the FCT.

He said that the AEPB and the FCT Task Team on environmental sanitation had commenced arrest and prosecution of herdsmen grazing cattle in the FCT, Abuja.

The minister spokesman said in the seven days exercise so far, 36 cows and 38 sheep have been impounded, while 16 herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted by the Sanitation Mobile Court.

According to him, the AEPB and the task team thus, tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibit to secure the conviction of the arrested herdsmen.

“The exercise is sequel to the directive of the FCT Minister, for the AEPB and the Task Team on environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis.

“Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have paid various fines to serve as a deterrent to others with strong warning to desist from doing same,’’ he said.

Sule added that the exercise that commenced about seven days ago by the AEPB and the Task Team on the instruction of the minister is a continuous one.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCT Minister had on Sept. 19, banned cattle grazing within the territory.

NAN also reports that the minister said that the FCT Administration would continue to collaborate with the Security Agencies to ensure that the ban is made effective while following all due processes. (NAN)
KM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Adeosun says eliminating wastes is national duty

NAN-HE-25
Expenses

By Tajudeen Atitebi
Lagos, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on Thursday said that the Federal Government would soon issue a new template on approved expenses for state-owned enterprises.

Adeosun said this would be part of efforts to control the nation’s recurrent expenditure.

A statement from the ministry said the minister disclosed this in Abuja at a workshop on Cost Management on Overhead Expenditure for Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers of Departments and Agencies.

The Efficiency Unit, under the Federal Ministry of Finance, organised the workshop.

The minister said that the Federal Government needed to create headroom to be able to invest in capital projects.

According to her, there is the need to control recurrent expenditure, especially overheads, a drive which necessitated the creation of the Efficiency Unit by the Presidency in 2015.

The minister said government was determined to plug all loopholes which were encouraging revenue losses and make state-owned enterprises productive and accountable.

She said that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was working on a new template to determine what would be allowed or disallowed expenses for state-owned enterprises.

“We will also be improving the level of disclosure that is even when transactions are done. We noticed funds are really leaking through a loose framework.

“At the moment, the Accountant General of the Federation is working on a new template to determine what are allowable or unallowable expenses for state-owned enterprises.

“There will be a requirement for certain transactions to be disclosed in the audited financial statements of state-owned enterprises, so that there will be transparency around certain areas where clearly money is leaking.”

Giving the details of the new plan, the minister said:“The days when cost to income ratios of 99.9 percent was the norm are over.

“We have secured technical support from IMF with the state-owned enterprises template.”

Adeosun expressed regret over situations.whereby state-owned enterprises from other countries came to bid for contracts in Nigeria, whereas some of the home-based ones were not that productive in terms of income generation.

She said: “We have observed that many state-owned enterprises in other countries actually come to Nigeria to bid for contracts.

“Many of the Chinese companies, are actually state owned, why will Nigeria’s state owned enterprises be cost centres?

“That is no longer acceptable and we are going to correct it.

“The results we are looking for, as the Head of Service has said, are an entrepreneurial and innovative public service that will serve Nigeria and form the foundation for our future and collective well being.”

The Minister challenged accounting officers to be alive to their responsibilities, saying they would be held responsible for any infractions going forward.

“I want to remind you that being accounting officers is not just a promotion or a title. It is actually a huge responsibility and we are going to be taking it seriously.

“You are accountable where public funds are spent and we are building systems to ensure that everybody that is in charge of public budget is held accountable.

“Eliminating waste is a national duty for every public officer and as the President has told us, change begins with me.

“Every amount that we save by controlling overheads is being redirected to investment in power, in roads, in rail and in housing and those investments will revive our economy, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living for Nigerians.

“I want to urge you, please don’t just sign. When it comes to public money, yes is an answer. No, is an answer. Why is an answer.

“Convince me is also a valid answer. I urge you to be your own auditor. Be circumspect, be curious.

“In fact, be suspicious because we will hold you accountable for whatever happens while you are doing your work,” she said. (NAN)
PR/TA

World Sight Day: Gov. Ganduje flags off free eye surgery for 5,000 patients

NAN-HG-18

Surgery

Kano, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN)‎ Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Thursday flagged off the state-wide free eye treatment for 5,000 patients to commemoration this year’s World Sight Day.‎

‎Flagging off the exercise at the Wudil General Hospital, Ganduje said some of the patients would be given free medicine and glasses.‎

The governor added that the number include people from across the 44 local government areas of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 70,000 patients benefited from the exercise last year.‎

He assured that the exercise would be sustained until most of the victims in the state are treated.

Ganduje lamented that despite the increase of eye problems in the state, government was doing everything possible to reduce it drastically.

On other sicknesses bedevilling the residents, the governor reiterated that anti-malaria vaccine worth N100 million were purchased and distributed to patients freely.‎

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, said that the exercise would last for five days.‎

Getso added that 40 doctors and 80 nurses as well as 80 technicians were recruited by the present administration, revealing that 120 hospitals are undergoing upgrade across the state.‎

‎The Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi, said that the Emirate was happy with the initiative of free eye treatment.‎

The Emir, who was represented by the District Head of Wudil, Malam Sarki Ibrahim, appealed to people with various eye problems to come forward for consultation and medication. ‎‎(NAN)

MNT/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola‎

FCT CJ pardons 6 prisoners in Suleja prison

NAN-H-91

Pardon

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, has freed six inmates of Suleja prison.

Bello pardoned the inmates during a jail delivery on Thursday.

Abubakar Usman, Sadiq Garuba, Joseph Sylvanus and Pilot Paul had who have almost completed their term were freed.

The chief judge also pardoned Danjuma Dauda and Christopher Sunday, convicted for compensation-related issues.

He said that the purpose of the visit was to ascertain the welfare of the inmates as well as review some of their cases pending in FCT courts

Bello cautioned against imposing stringent bail conditions which had many convicts and awaiting trial inmates to remain in custody.

He decried the situation where were granted bail but could not perfect their bail and warned against detaining people on compensation- related issues

Bello promised that such visits would be done from time to time to ascertain the welfare of the inmates and address some challenges in the prison.

He would paid similar visit to Kuje continues on Oct. 17.

The controller of the prison, Mr Suleiman Ilesi, told the chief judge that they need vehicles to transport the inmates to courts

Ilesi, deputy controller of prisons, said they had only two vehicles that tours round all the courts in the FCT.

No fewer than 164 inmates, including Elizabeth Ogah, a nursing mother whose baby was less than one year-old was among the awaiting trial inmates.

Ogah, who jumped bail, was remanded in prison for alleged breach of trust and theft by servant.

Her baby, according to prison official, is being catered for by Christian bodies and non-governmental organisation. (NAN)

NEO//OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-77
By Aisha
Interception
Lagos, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Tin-Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted a consignment of eight bags containing substances suspected to be cocaine.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Yusuf Bashar, told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that the suspected substance, numbering 200 pieces, was concealed and un-manifested inside a container with cement raw materials.
“The container originated from New Zealand and the shipment point is from Spain,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Bashar as saying while handing over the consignment to narcotic officials.
The comptroller urged regulatory agencies at the ports to work together as a team, adding that the law would take its course over the un-manifested concealed item.
Mr Yashim Danladi, Head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Tin-Can Island Port, said that the substance was suspected to be cocaine based on preliminary test on the consignment.
The narcotic chief added that the concealed substance would go through other laboratory tests to further confirm its contents. (NAN)
AIC/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)