Blog

NAN-H-86
Pension
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 13, 2016(NAN) The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Chapter, has vacated the 14-day ultimatum it served on the Oyo State Government over the non-payment of pension arrears.

Mr Gbadegesin Akande, the NUP Chairman in the state, said this in Ibadan on Thursday after a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the NUP had on Monday in Ibadan issued  the ultimatum to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

It called on the ministry to address the payment of gratuities and monthly pensions of retired primary school teachers and local government staff, saying the union might embark on picketing.

Akande, however, described the NUP’s meeting with the government as peaceful, saying further talks  would continue.

“We have been able to discuss the grey areas and we are comfortable now.

“ We hereby vacate the 14-day ultimatum, having seen improvement and assurances of payment,” he said.

Mr Bimbo Kolade, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, also described the meeting as  fruitful.

Kolade said that the NUP executives and members at the meeting discovered that government was committed to their welfare, blaming the rift on lack of communication.

He said that money had been released for payment of pensioners, adding that representatives of banks present at the meeting had assured the NUP.

Kolade said that both the NUP and government were aware that the N880 million set aside for payment would not cover all pension arrears, adding that the balance would be paid as agreed.

“The state government has set aside the sum of N250 million for the payment of gratuity.

“ This will be paid after the ongoing verification exercise.

“Let me assure you that the money will be paid from 2008 but will be strictly on merit,” he said. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-88
Sale
By Martha Nuhu
Jos, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Plateau, under the administration of Gov. Jonah Jang sold seven state-owned filling stations to private individuals.

Mr Dauda Gashi, Director of Commerce in the ministry, made the disclosure on Thursday in Makurdi.

Gashi made the statement when he appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry constituted by Gov. Simon Lalong to probe the activities of government between May 2007 and May 2015.

The commission was constituted in August this year.

Gashi told the commission that some of the filling stations were sold for N2 million, while others were sold for N1 million.

He said that several individuals in the state indicated interest when the tender and advertisement for the sale of the filling stations were made public.

He said that the petrol stations, which are located in Langtang, Dengi, Pankshin, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bassa and Wase, were leased over a period of time and were eventually sold in 2014.

The director, however, did not present documents that gave approval for the sale of the stations before the commission.

Counsel to the Commission, Mr Obende Sunday, said that the ministry, which has several projects and properties, did not indicate the revenue generated from such properties, in the period under review.

He listed the projects to include Tomato Processing Plant in Dorowa, two Fertilizer Plants in Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, Plateau Ceramic Company and Kabong Main Market.

Responding, Gashi said the fertilizer plant in Bokkos had not taken off since 2002 and was not in the budget while the one in Barkin Ladi was in the budget but still at the foundation level.

He said that Kabong Main Market, which belonged to the ministry, was built with loan obtained by the Ministry of Finance which had since been liquidated.

He said that all revenues generated from the market were duly documented.

The director however, denied knowledge of the existence of tomato plant in Dorowa.

The commission chairman, Justice Stephen Adah, asked Gashi to present all the documents for the sale of the filling stations, revenue generated and other related documents to the commission on or before Oct. 17. (NAN)

ADY/ CEO/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-HE-22

Energy

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016(NAN) The Kaduna State Government says it will require N150 billion to be sufficient in energy generation and supply by 2020 .

Gov. Nasir El Rufai announced this in Abuja on Thursday at the 5^th Annual Powering Africa Nigeria Conference.

El Rufai, represented by Dr Abdulkarim Mayere, Managing Director, Kaduna State Power Supply Company, said Kaduna like other states, was facing challenge of paucity of power supply and energy development.

He attributed the challenges to generation and transmission limitations.

The governor said that the estimated energy demand and supply between 2016 and 2020 was 538 Mega Watts (MW) and 787MW.

El Rufai said that the current supply of unstable power in the state was about 196 MW with a gap of about 342MW.

He said that the state government had significant interest in pursuing initiatives that would increase electricity supply to its citizens and drive economic growth.

The governor said that the state required an energy policy to guide its activities, adding that the policy would ensure the attainment of energy security and sustainability.

According to him, energy policy developed by the state will govern four key areas of incremental power supply, energy efficiency measures, capacity building and rural electrification access.

El Rufai also identified four key energy mix to achieve its plan of sufficiency in electricity.

The energy mix includes grid power supply, which involves energy imported to the state through the national grid,  Gas/ LPFO power supply, which entails energy generated in the state using any form of  gas/liquid fossil fuel.

Other energy mix to be utilised by the state are solar energy, coal, hydro and energy saving measures.

He said that the Federal Government had already invested some amount toward the development of power plants in the state, which would provide 50 per cent of the projected energy demand.

This, he said, would lead to a balance of N75 billion to meet the proposed demand by 2020.

He said that about N19 billion was required annually over the next four years to meet the energy demands of the state. (NAN)

KC/MNA/IA

(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Idris Abdulrahman)

Alternative Medicine: Medical practitioner warns against self-medication

NAN-HG-14

Medication 

By Aisha Ahmed 

Kano, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) A medical practitioner, Dr Fawziyyah Ahmed, on Thursday warned against arbitrary use of traditional medicine as it could pose dire consequences to health.

Ahmed gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano in view of the rampant cases of drug reactions to unprescribed traditional medicines.

“We have a lot of malaria and typhoid cases and people have resorted to taking traditional medicine for the cure, especially due to its cost implications.

“This act has triggered hazardous reactions that are manifested in many ways.

“The traditional doctors themselves, hardly even give their medicine without advising on how it should be taken, and as such, people should not engage in self-medication,’’ she said.

Ahmed said that based on clinical observations, people just hear about plants and other mixtures and they start taking them for the treatment of some ailments, after which, they would start having reactions.

She therefore called on people who believed in alternative medicine, to make proper consultations before using any of such medication, to avoid dangers that such acts posed. (NAN)

AAA /VIV/MST

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Don says education solution to nation’s security challenges

NAN-DS-10
Education
By Yahaya Isah
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Mande Samaila of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) said proper and quality education of youths would solve the current security challenges facing the country.

He made the statement at a Book Launch at the National Defence College on Thursday in Abuja.

Samaila, who was the reviewer of the book, Tagged: “African Cowboys:’’ Boko Halal’’, said that the launching of the book was timely.

He said the book could be used as a tool to effectively solve some of the social problems that the country was facing today.

The Don said that the contents of the book were enough to reshape the mindset of the youth as well as reduce the menace of youth restiveness in the society.

“If youths are enrolled in schools and other meaningful ventures, hardly will they be used as instruments of destruction,’’ he said.

Samaila noted that the problems that had bedeviled the country were thoroughly discussed in the book, urging parents to get copies for the benefit of their children.

He said that the book would also serve as a vital tool for combating terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.

He recalled that in the past, the kind of perception people had about education in the country, especially in the North, was that whoever embraced education, that person would be seen as an agent of Westernisation.

“So, that kind of wrong impression we had, is part of the problems we are facing today.

“The Boko Haram is a typical example of those who are against western education, whether we like it or not,’’ Samaila said.

He called on the parents and the relevant agencies to embark on serious enlightenment campaign about the importance of education to humanity.

He also called on stakeholders to do everything within their power to take school age children out of the streets and engage them in meaningful ventures.

In a remark, the Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Adm. Samuel Alade, who was represented by the Coordinator Officer of the college, Col. Omotosho Ariyo, commended the Author for “such a beautiful work’’.

Ariyo said that such a good book written by a rating officer would go a long way in promoting the Armed Forces.

He said that the book would also serve as a solution to the security challenges facing the country as the content was basically on education, and that with education, insecurity would be reduced.

The Author, Staff Sgt.- in the Nigerian Navy, Darwood Abdulkareem, said his people’s hatred for western education prompted him to research and write the book.

Abdulkarim said with education the present security challenges facing the country could be solved.

He urged parents to send their children to school in order to be become useful members of the society.

The Writer also called on the Federal Government to make education affordable to Nigerians to rid the country of crimes.(NAN)
YI/JPE/AMY
Edited by Joseph Edeh and Abdullahi Yusuf

World Sight Day: FRSC tasks commercial drivers on routine eye-check

NAN-HG-13

Sight

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has advised commercial drivers and other category of motorists to undertake routine eye checks so as to reduce road crashes in the country.

The Head of FRSC Operations in FCT, Mr Udeme Eshiet, gave the advice in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of this year’s ‘World Sight Day’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which was organised by the Nigerian Optometric Association in collaboration with the FRSC, has as its theme “Universal Eye Health: Stronger together”.

NAN also reports that the ‘World Sight Day’ is commemorated annually on every second Thursday of October.

Eshiet said that some of the road crashes in the country could be as a result of drivers’ visual problems.

“When you don’t have a good eye sight one cannot drive well.

“Good eye sight is important in driving and that is why we ensure the eye is properly checked before obtaining driver’s license.

“Even though people with visual impairment try to compensate for their difficulties usually by avoiding crowded route and slower driving.

“It is not enough to make up for a reduced ability to recognise road signs, hazards and pedestrians,’’ he said.

Dr Ozy Okonokhua, Lions International’s District Community Chairperson for Sight, said there was need for regular checks to detect any eye defect.

He said most of blindness in the country could be preventable if individuals ensure regular checks from professionals.

“Most Nigerians are nonchalant about their eyes and most times they don’t see reasons why they should check.

“The reason why we are here today is to sensitise members of the public on the need to check their eyes; it could be cataract or glaucoma,’’ he said.

On his part, the President of Albino Foundation, Dr Jake Epelle, charged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on more enlightenment of Nigerians on eye health.

“We albinos have more issues with our eyes and that is our makeup.

“That is why today is very important to us as albinos,” he said.

The Supervisory Councillor for Health and Environment in AMAC, Mr Muritala Karshi, said the day was historic and it would add value to many Nigerians as they would be given free eye treatment. (NAN)

OEO/DO/MST

Edited by David Onilede/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HG-23
Blindness
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) An ophthalmologist, Dr Mojoyin Akinwale, says more than 65,000 people are currently blind in Oyo State due to cataract.

Akinwale, who is the Vice Chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, South-West Zone, said this on Thursday at the flag-off of  an  eye outreach and free cataract surgery exercise in Ibadan.

The outreach , which was organised by the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria in collaboration with Lions Club of Ibadan 401, was in commemoration of the 2016 World Sight Day.

Ophthalmologists say about 80 per cent of cases of blindness could be prevented or cured.

According to Akinwale, one person in the world goes blind every five seconds while a child goes blind every minute.

She said that the World Sight Day focuses on global issues concerning avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

The ophthalmologist said that no fewer than 100 people would benefit from free surgery while some would get free eye screening, drugs as well as glasses during the programme.

She said the right to sight was now a joint initiative of WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, adding that they were committed to tackling avoidable blindness by 2020.

Also speaking, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said the free eye care initiative by the Society would bring succour to many beneficiaries in the state.

Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Moses Adeyemo, expressed government’s readiness for public/private partnership.

According to him, the partnership was expected to engineer collaborative efforts and synergy to ensure achievable goals.

“Our aim is to build on a sustainable system which will respond to various challenges that may arise and affect the healthy living of the people of the state,’’ he said.

The governor called on other partners to join the state government to provide the best available quality health care for the people, especially in rural communities. (NAN)
MAM/AOM/OJO
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(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed  and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

President Zuma asks court to block anti-graft report

NAN-F-17

Report

Johannesburg, Oct. 13, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday asked a court to stop the Public Protector, an anti-corruption watchdog, from releasing an investigation into alleged political interference by his wealthy friends.

The report quoted a source within the Public Protector’s office as saying that the report could not be released until a court had made a ruling on Zuma’s request.

In a new development, the premier of South Africa’s most economically important province said that fraud charges levelled against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan were frivolous and undermined efforts to avoid a ratings downgrade.

Speaking at a Thomson Reuters conference in Cape Town, David Makhura said that President  Zuma’s administration was guilty of “recklessness”.(Reuters/NAN)

OYE/OU

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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Obike Ukoh

Cultural art: Expert calls for international exhibition

NAN-ELS -11

Exhibition

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) A sculptor, Mr Izueke Okolo, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, has called for more international platforms for the exhibition of Nigeria’s peculiar cultural art.

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

He said that there are not enough platforms to showcase Nigerian arts and culture abroad.

“Nigeria has cultural peculiarities or traits in aspects of arts, crafts, cuisine, dance, music, folklore, dress code and language, which should also be improved on and rebranded for the global market.

“At the state and national levels, yearly exhibitions on arts, crafts and cuisine usually ends there without these exhibitors being exposed to international experience.

“Nigeria’s art and culture should be streamlined and repackaged, and as a matter of fact be held yearly at our embassies all over the world just like the Chinese embassy does yearly.”

He said that not every artiste has the opportunity to showcase his works or export Nigerian arts to other countries or continents.

“There are few international exhibitions where very few of our members put their works on display, but not everyone can afford such exhibitions.

“For our works to be exported, the government should through our embassies create more avenues in other countries where Nigerian works of art will be exhibited,” he said.

“We should take our culture and art to them just like the Chinese and Japanese do all over the world on a regular basis.

“As a result of this, these countries’ cultures and traditions are being widely propagated around the world.

“Occasionally, we exhibit Nigerian arts in both local and international arts exhibitions, but not everyone is opportune to attend these exhibitions due to financial constraints and visa problems.

“Nigerian arts will be better appreciated in other countries if Nigerian embassies abroad could provide a yearly platform where the country’s arts and culture could be exhibited.

“Nigeria is so richly blessed in terms of culture that we owe it to our generations yet unborn, and to the global community to spread this rich and colourful endowment,” he said. (NAN)

EPA/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Peaceful co-existence: Films strategic to information management – Specialist

NAN-H-64
Information
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Oct.13, 2016 (NAN) Mr Manfred Nzekwe, the Senior Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on Tourism matters, says films are key to strategic information management for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

Nzekwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that films would play a critical role as a tool for propaganda in uniting the nation.

He said that films have great impact on children and teenagers, and to some extent on the adult mind.

“Everything we watch and listen to affects and influences us at some level and if not consciously, leaves its traces in our psyche.

“Films affect our behavioural patterns in so many ways; in fact in 60 per cent of the cases, negative films are responsible for encouraging criminal tendencies and increased negative moral beliefs.

“Worse hit are the young ones, whose minds are immature and can easily be influenced by what they see.

“Also the unlettered adults who do not know the facts and have no analytical mind, and therefore are easily influenced,” he explained.

Nzekwe liken a film to a monologue delivered to an audience with a view to inform, influence, entertain and educate the viewers, therefore, it was critical to information management.

However, he appealed to film producers to make films that would promote peace, unity and oneness of the country.

“Producers of films; be it in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or any other language, should show story lines that will effectively manage, disseminate information that will promote a peaceful Nigerian society.

“Our producers should work to make films that will create awareness about the real socio-economic and political state of the nation.

“Films that will stress the importance of education, government policies, brotherly love and the evils of drug abuse, sexual perversion and alcoholism, among others, should be encouraged.

“Socially enlightening films help strengthen moral beliefs and influence thought process in positive ways, which in turn lead to a more credible and peaceful society generally,’’ the aide said. (NAN)
EPA/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola