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Injured Rangers FC Egwim to be moved into conducive apartment after surgery- GM

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Egwim

By Emmanuel Afonne

Abuja, Oct.13, 2016 (NAN)Rangers International FC of Enugu forward, Ifeanyi Egwim, will be moved into a conducive apartment for special care after a successful surgery on his broken leg.

Paul Ozor, the General Manager of Rangers disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that the Enugu State Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had directed that every necessary attention be given to the player to ensure speedy recovery.

“In one or two weeks from now he (Egwim) will be moved into a conducive apartment or a hotel for speedy recovery,” Ozor said.

NAN reports that Egwim broke his leg on Oct. 2 in Rangers last match of the season against El Kanemi Warrior of Maiduguri.

Rangers eventually defeated the Maiduguri team 4-0 to lift the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title.

According to Ozor, the player will soon be back on his feet to face his football career.

“Egwim is recuperating fast at the Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu; he is responding to treatment beyond our imagination.

“The hospital management is yet to decide when he (Egwim) will leave the hospital, but specialists are around him all the time based on the governor’s instruction.

“The state government will also take care of the bill incurred to ensure the player gets the best of treatment,” Ozor added.

The Rangers boss also said that doctor’s report indicated that Egwim would return to the field of play soon.

Rangers won the league title after amassing 63 points, while Rivers United finished on the second spot with 60 points. (NAN)

EMAF/OU/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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PVCs

By Cecilia Odey

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the distribution of unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) was ongoing in the territory.

Director, Voter Education of the commission, Mrs Ndidi Okafor, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.

Okafor said that the distribution of the PVCs was being carried out by the commission’s officials in the six area councils in the area.

The councils are Abuja Municipal, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Bwari and

In Abuja, the director said that registered voters in eight wards out of the 12 wards in the area were collecting the cards at INEC headquarters in the territory.

The wards, according to her, include Garki, Kabusa, Wuse, Gwarinpa, Jiwa and Gwagwa.

She added that the remaining four wards of Nyanya, Orozo, Karshi and Karu had collection centres in them.

According to Okafor, the new arrangement is to take the collection centre closer to the people.

She explained that most people found it difficult to go to Karu office to collect their cards, hence the new arrangement.

She urged all registered voters in the area who had not collected the card to go to the appropriate places to do so.

On Voter registration, Okafor said that FCT office was yet to get a directive from INEC national headquarters on the issue, assuring that whenever the order was given, the office would comply. (NAN)

COO/ AOM/OPI

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed and Olisa Ifeajika

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Reward
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, has promised N30, 000 reward to athletes who won gold medal in the ongoing Army Sports Festival.

Abdulkarim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the division will reward participants that would make them proud at all levels in the festival.

NAN reports that the 2 division won gold medals in men and women 400m, 1500m, high and triple jumps respectively at the festival.

“Most of my participants got gold medal which means that the effort we put in was not in vain.

“We have promised the athletes that anybody that will win a gold medal in any of the event will be rewarded with N30 000 inaddition to other incentives.

“So once you get a gold medal we give you N30,000 and we are doing it in all the events.

“The division will also try to reward athletes with silver and bronze medal to encourage them to do their best,’’ he said.

Abdulkarim said he had informed athletes from the 2 division that they would be given promotion and also be considered for posting to foreign missions.

He said that foreign mission posting would assist them to develop their sporting skills to improve themselves and the image of the nation.

Speaking on the revival of the festival, Abdulkarim said it was a welcome idea that would reunite the personnel in the military.

“I am very impress with the Nigerian Army Sports Festival because it has brought all the personnel together and we are all happy.

“This is what has been lacking in the last seven years but now that it has been rejuvenated it will help the personnel to keep fit and develop sports.

“The festival will rejuvenate the spirit of sportsmanship and allow personnel to know themselves in case of where they need to serve in an operational environment.

“Sports is a very good way of promoting `esprit de corps’ and for us to have rejuvenate it, we are grateful,’’ he said.

Abdulkarim said that the festival would help the Ministry of Youth and Sports and sports federations to get the needed talents to field in the national and international competitions.  (NAN)
DE/EAL/AFA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Felix Ajide
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Make hand washing a ritual- WASH coordinator

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Hand

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Oct.13, 2016 (NAN) The Media Network on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), an NGO, has called on Nigerians to make hand washing a `ritual’ in order to be free from some contagious diseases.

Mrs Lizzy Achuagu, the Coordinator of the network, made the call on Thursday in Enugu in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN recalls that Oct.15 of every year is celebrated as Hand Washing Day worldwide.

Achuagu said that such practice would keep diarrhea and other diseases in check.

The coordinator called on parents to inculcate such habits in their children early, adding that diarrhea was the third biggest cause of death among children under five years.

She said that 50 per cent of malnutrition cases were linked to chronic diarrhea.

Achuagu noted that scarcity of water as well as sanitation challenges in some localities had compounded the poor orientation on hand washing among children.

“Hand washing with soap should be seen as a ritual for long term sustainability in schools, health centres, market places, government and private offices and homes.

“One cannot instruct a child to wash his or her hands without providing water and for this campaign to succeed, government must provide clean water in schools, public places and homes,” she said.

She said that constant practice of hand washing was the panacea for the attainment of the goals of the campaign.

“Hand washing is a ‘do it yourself vaccine’ that should be done consistently at key times such as after using the toilet and before contact with food to prevent infectious diseases.

“It is cheap, easy, effective and affordable,” Achuagu said.

NAN reports that the theme for the 2016 Hand Washing Day is ‘Make Hand Washing a Habit.’ (NAN)

EOA/MNA/OU

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Obike Ukoh

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Awareness
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged the media to champion the creation of awareness among the people living in the disaster-prone areas.

The NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, made the call at a news conference on Thursday on the 2016 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja.

He said there was the need to create awareness on a sustainable basis around the communities faced with the risk of disaster in order to build resilience to mitigate it.

According to him, no one can stop natural disaster from happening, adding that it could only be mitigated by reducing the impact.

“I want the media to take the lead in creating awareness among the communities on what to do when disasters happen.

“The celebration today is aimed at raising awareness for actions that we all need to take collectively to reduce mortality rate around the globe.

“You are aware that there are increasing numbers of mortality as a result of disaster, because disaster can happen anywhere and at anytime.

“But the issue is how do we save lives when disasters happen, who lives to tell the story? We don’t want people to die as a result of disaster.

“We want people to live after disaster, not to die with the disaster.”

In his remark, Mr Taiye Olaniyi, the Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society, FCT Branch, said that the event was to further expand the educational capacity of parties involved in disaster management.

Olaniyi added that efforts should be geared towards disaster prevention through effective collaboration of all relevant agencies and organisations, adding that preventive measures were better than curative.

While commending NEMA’s efforts, he also called for improvement in disaster management in Nigeria.

“Disaster management in the country had not been too good, but thank God that we have NEMA that is a little better equipped to handle disasters in the country.

“There should be adequate training of personnel that are directly involved in managing disasters as well as the resources to handle them,’’ he said. (NAN)
OYS/KOLE/NKO
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Athletes
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Athletes at the ongoing Nigeria Army Sports Festival on Thursday appealed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to ensure their release for further competitions to boost sports development.

The athletes told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja that their release would make them train hard to improve on their performance and enhance the military‘s image.

Idi Yusuf, winner of the 800m men category, from 81 Division, said that the festival was a blessing for him to revival his skills.

“I was a runner before I joined the Nigeria Army but after I joined the army I stopped running because of my duty.

“But I thank God for this festival, I started training a month before the festival and I was able to win the 800m.

“I commended COAS for resuscitating the sports because most of us were of the view that sport was no more in the Nigeria army.

“Bringing back the physical training and sports had made us very happy.

“I am appealing to the Nigeria Army authority to ensure the release of athletes to go and train for other championship to better their performance,’’ he pleaded.

Ifeyinwa Onodugo, a triple jump winner from 1 Division, also appealed to COAS to ensure athletes release for competitions.

“I look forward to a time where I will be able to represent Nigeria in international competition to make the Nigerian Army and the nation proud,’’ she said. (NAN)
DE/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Alleged sack: Court fixes final address Oct, 17, reserves judgment Dec. 8
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Addresses
By Doris Esa
Abuja,Oct.13, 2016 (NAN) A former member of staff of Zenith Bank Plc, Tom Okpe, and parties in the suit will adopt their final written addresses at the  National Industrial Court on Oct.17.

Okpe sued Zenith Bank and joined Zenith Securities ltd and and Peoples Plus management Service limited as co-respondents in the matter.

The Claimant is challenging his purported dismissal by the Zenith Securities limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc.

The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, who adjourned the suit, also said that judgment would be delivered on Dec. 8.

Lifu said that the adjournment would enable parties to file an addendum to their addresses on the issue of defamation raised by the claimant.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Counsel to the claimant, Mrs Lillian Ojima, told the court that her client was not given fair hearing before the purported termination.

Ojima argued that fair hearing was very crucial when there was allegation of fraud allegedly committed by her client.

She said the claimant was a clearance officer with Zenith Securities Limited before he was allegedly relieved of his services in 2009.

The claimant’s counsel said that respondents were bound to give him an opportunity to hear him, pointing out that the right of the claimant was breached when he was denied fair hearing.

Ojima told the court that her client was transferred to Peoples Plus Management limited without informing him of the said transfer.

She said that all the respondents did was just paste a notice on the board that his appointment was transferred to another place.

Ojima urged the court to enter judgment in favour of the claimant, adding that “Okpe has not only been wronged but scandalised by the Zenith Bank”.

In his argument, Counsel to the respondent, Mr Felix Kachi, told the court that a disciplinary committee was set up by the respondent before the decision to terminate Okpe’ s appointment was taken.

Kachi argued that the claimant could not claim that he was not given fair hearing when he had failed to avail the court with the contract of service between him and the respondents.

He urged the court to dismiss the claimant’s case in its entirety.(NAN)
ORD/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Released 21 Chibok Girls: BBOG commends FG, Military

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Chibok

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The  Bring Back our Girls (BBOG) group has commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Military in securing the release of 21 abducted Chibok girls.

Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, the Convener of BBOG, on Thursday expressed the group’s gratitude on her Twitter handle from London.

Ezekwesili said the group was using this development as a point of contact for the remaining 197 girls.

“With tears of unspeakable joy at the release of 21 of our Chibok girls, we cry out and use them as point of contact for the rest of 197.

“We, BBOG, are thanking our soldiers in the frontline of battle. You have given and keep giving us so much hope and sacrifices; we wait for the Federal Government for release of the remaining girls,’’ she said.

On his part, the BBOG Spokesman, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, also commended the efforts of government and security agencies for the release of the girls.

“We welcome the development; we are delighted on the release of the girls.

“We thank the government and people have been on negotiation team, security agencies and all those who are part of their release.

“We want government to continue to work to ensure their safety and we urge the international community to support government in the release of 197 Chibok girls,’’ he said.

However, Abdullahi called for psycho-social support rehabilitation for the girls for them to live normal lives, saying government should provide the support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, as saying the release of the girls was the outcome of negotiations between the federal government and the sect.

Shehu said the negotiations were brokered by the International Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and the Swiss Government, adding that the negotiations would continue.

He said the released girls would soon be handed over to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo by the Department of State Service.

NAN recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had solicited the assistance of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in negotiations with Boko Haram for the release of the girls.

In May, one of the more than 200 girls kidnapped from their school dormitory on April 14, 2014, escaped from their captors with her baby. (NAN)

OEO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

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Forgery
By Olaitan Idris
Lagos, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) Two men –Chukwudi Williams and Bayo Akinjide — charged with forging a magistrates’ court’s affidavit and police report, were on Thursday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Both Williams, 49, and Akinjide, 46, whose addresses were not stated, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Police Prosecutor Roman Unuigbe told the court that the duo with others still at large  committed the offences on Sep. 29 at Mangoro/Cement Bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

He said the accused forged a magistrate’s notary public affidavit and police report of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court registry and Ikeja Police Station.

He said they forged the documents to impersonate a man, Mr Umoru Godwin and retrieve his Glo phone no. 08058579191.

The offences contravened Sections 363 (1), 378 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, admitted the duo to a bail of N250,000 each and two responsible sureties each in like sum.

The sureties must be blood relations, he said.

The case was adjourned to Nov. 18 for trial. (NAN)

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Edited by Dele Akinsola

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Mortality
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it is committed to enhancing efforts towards reducing mortality through appropriate risk reduction measures.

The Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said this on Thursday  in Abuja at the 2016 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with the theme “Live to Tell” in Abuja.

He said that the combination of natural hazards and vulnerability posed a constant threat to both lives and livelihood, adding that the world was witnessing a rapidly increasing impact of disasters.

NEMA boss noted disaster risks were on the increase in the African region with unacceptable impacts.

Sani-Sidi said  the threat from natural disasters was urgent and needed immediate concerted attention.

“Our response to this challenge will ensure the protection and well-being of our future generation by building resilience on a sustainable platform.

“Every single day, Nigeria loses thousands of under-five-year-olds and hundreds of women of child-bearing age.

“This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under-five and maternal mortality rate in the world.

“It is, therefore, pertinent that concerted efforts need to be taken by all to drastically reduce mortality rate in Nigeria.’’

Sani-Sidi said stressed that disaster risk reduction needed to be all inclusive with adequate budgetary allocation.

In his message, Mr Moses Beckley, the Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), stressed the need to promote a global culture of risk reduction and disaster awareness.

Beckley said the UN had indicated that women and children worldwide were up to 14 times more likely to die in disaster than men.

He said that 50 per cent maternal deaths and 56 per cent of under-age deaths take place in conflict settings, adding that people with disabilities and older people were also affected.

According to him, hundreds of millions of people all over the world live at the risk of one form of disaster or another such as floods, droughts, earthquake, mudslides and storms.

“Floods are ravaging many communities and have striped people of their livelihood while the fear of earth tremor is looming in the central part of the country.

“Therefore, there is need for concerted effort by the civil society and the private sector to partner with the government in elevating people’s exposure on the risk of natural disasters.

“Practical action is needed to connect humanitarian disaster, risk reduction and risk management with the need to build disaster preparedness to reducing loss of lives and sustaining its gains for the benefit of all,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day for Disaster Reduction is marked to assess how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters.

The day is also meant to raise awareness about the importance of limiting the risks that people face. (NAN)

OYS/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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