Blog

Plateau SUBEB promotes education access for special needs children

Training
By Martha Agas
Jos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) In a bid to ensure all-inclusive access to quality education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Plateau has organised a capacity building training for special needs teachers and supervisors.

Prof. Matthew Sule, the Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Plateau, said at the training on Monday that the exercise was to ensure that teachers complement the state government’s efforts to improve education standards.

Sule said that the training, facilitated by the Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC) Special Education Intervention Fund, designed to ensure that all categories of children were mainstreamed in accessing quality education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day workshop include trainings on handling children with hearing impairment, learning disabilities and visual impairment, among others.

The theme of the training is: “Best Practices in Teaching Special Needs Children’’.

“The training, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, is to enhance the skills of special education teachers and supervisors because the sector has been neglected.

“We do not want to alienate any member of the society, especially the special needs children in accessing quality education which is the bedrock for a good future,’’ Sule said.

The chairman said the training illustrated the commitment of Gov. Simon Lalong’s administration in equipping its human capital with the requisite skills to discharge their duties.

“We are going beyond distributing instructional and learning materials to the special needs children to equipping them with skills on how to use them efficiently.

“We want the initiative sustained through the impact of this training because we are the pilot state for this scheme. This would spur other states to conduct the same workshop,’’ Sule said.

He said the schools would be monitored after the training to ensure that the teachers had improved on their skills through the performance of the children.

Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Saruaniya Mallum, the Director, Primary Education, SUBEB, urged the teachers and supervisors to fully participate in the training.

She urged the 150 participants to conduct a step-down training with their colleagues in their local government areas for maximum impact.

Meanwhile, Prof. Isuwa Jurmang, the Head of Department, Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jos, said the training was organised to evaluate and strengthen participants’ teaching skills.

Jurmang, who was the Chief Facilitator of the programme, said the workshop would concentrate more on enhancing practical skills than theoretical.

According to him, special education is all about practicals. (NAN)
MAA/COF/NKO
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Editing by Oluyinka Fadare/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Charles Inojie and a colleague with the award

Joy Obanya
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Nigerian actors Olumide Oworu a.k.a “Tari’’ and Charles Inojie known a.k.a “Mr Lucky’’ in the Television series “The Johnsons’’ joined the league of winners at the 2018 City People’s Movie Awards.

While Oworu won Most Promising Actor of the Year, Inojie won The Best Comic Act of the Year.

The City People Entertainment Awards is an annual accolades presented by City People Magazine to honour Nigerian and Ghanaian Entertainers.

This year’s edition brought together various actors from Nollywood, Gollywood.

Oworu took to his instagram handle@olumideoworu to thank everyone that voted “To everyone who voted, thank you. Another one!’’.

Expressing joy over the award, fans of the actor took to social media to congratulate him
@adeola_abata wrote, “Congrats Tari in Johnsons voice. More grace to excel in Jesus name’’.
@inodian also wrote “Congrats Tari’’.

The 23 year old model started his acting career at the age of six with the Television Series “Everyday People’’

In 2015, Owori won the Most Promising Actor at the Best of Nollywod Awards and supporting actor for his role in “Soldier Story’’ at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

Similarly, Inojie who is the originator of the slang “Na them dey rush us’’ took to his instagram handle @charlesinojie to thank God and his fans for the support.

“We took home the comic actor of the year awards at the City People Movie Awards 2018. To God be the glory’’.

Also, fans of the comedian took to social media to congratulate him.

Inojie joined the movie industry in 1999 and is known to always act in comedy movies.

He has featured in several home movies and Television series such as “ The Johnsons’’, “Police Recruit’’, “Love Wahala’’, “Wise Inlaws’’ and many others.

In 2016, members of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) unanimously appointed him as president of their labour union. (NAN)
JOYO/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Nigerian capital market key to economic growth

Economy
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Mr Boniface Okezie, the President of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), on Monday described the capital market as critical to economic development and wealth creation.

Okezie made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, adding that the capital market should be effectively explored for economic development.

“In spite of the challenging economic conditions in Nigeria, the capital market still remains one of the main vehicles for economic development and wealth creation,” he said.

Okezie said that the down turn being experienced in capital market were due to economic uncertainties, profit-taking by investors and end of year factors, among others.

“It is in the nature of capital market to fluctuate. When we talk about market data, we refer to the pre and post trade-related data of the financial instruments traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

“NSE market data inform traders, investors, media and others in the market on quotations, latest price and historical trends of equities, fixed-income and ETF products that are traded on its platform.

“This information is not only used in real time to make instantaneous buy and sell decisions; the historical data are used to make price projections as well as calculate market risk on investment portfolios,” he said.

Okezie expressed the need for periodic seminars and workshops to provide capital market participants with sufficient knowledge about NSE market data for smart investment decisions.

NAN reports that 960.940 million shares worth N18.329 billion were traded by investors in 16,896 deals on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) last week.

These were against 892.725 million shares valued at N13.075 billion exchanged in 15,607 deals in the preceding seeking.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 774.087 million shares valued at N9.244 billion traded in 10,637 deals.

The Conglomerates followed with 54.805 million shares worth N80.062 million in 740 deals.

The Consumer Goods Industry had a turnover of 43.013 million shares worth N3.341 billion in 2,468 deals.

The All-Share Index lost 1710.32 points or 5.02 per cent to close at 32,327.59 against 34,037.91 posted in the preceding week.

Also, the market capitalisation, which opened at N12.426 trillion shed N624 billion or 5.02 per cent, to close at N11.802 trillion. (NAN)
LUC/USO/TÁ
Edited by Sam Oditah/Tajudeen Atitebi

Agency threatens to remove illegal billboards of politicians in Kwara

By AbdulFatai Beki
Billboards
Ilorin, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Kwara Signage and Advertisement Agency has threatened to remove billboards of any political office seekers erected in various parts of the state without payment of prescribed fees as approved by the Agency.

Alhaji Ahmed Olufadi, the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in llorin on Monday.

According to him, over 90 per cent of billboards in the state are guilty of the offence.

“Most of those seeking political office in the 2019 dispensation in the state erected their billboards and posters illegally.

“We always wake up and find billboards and posters in major streets, especially in the state capital without approval to that effect, this is lawlessness, most of the billboards and posters are done in the night,” Olufadi said.

He, however, gave a week ultimatum to all political office seekers that have erected billboards or posters without the due payment or approval to remove them in their own interest.

Olufadi said the agency is collaborating with the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Police and other security agencies to ensure the removal of all illegal billboards and posters at the expiration of the one week ultimatum.

“The removal of illegal billboards will be executed without consideration of persons involved; I mean that no matter how highly or lowly placed in the society, once the approved due is not paid, such billboard will be removed,” he added.

He said the agency will not approve erection of billboards that constitutes nuisance to motorists and pedestrians in any part of the state.

NAN reports that some of the erected billboards in parts of the state capital have been damaged by rainstorm. (NAN)
BEKl/KOLE/AFA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Felix Ajide

Flood
By Mohammed Tijani/Tukur Muntari
Kano, ‎Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Government has confirmed the death of 31 people and destruction of more than 10,000 houses during the recent flood disaster in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.

Alhaji Ali Bashir, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday.

Bashir said that the cost of the disaster, which wreaked havoc on more than 10,000 houses in the affected areas, was estimated at over N5 billion.

“Thirty one people lost their lives and more than 10,000 houses that are estimated at over N5 billion were affected.

“Most of the affected houses were either totally or partially destroyed,” the Executive Secretary said.

He explained that no fewer than 35,000 farmers were also affected by the disaster in eight local government areas of the state.

According to Bashir, some of the farmlands were ‎submerged by water while others were completely washed away by the flood.

“The farm produce destroyed include maize, cotton, white beans, onion, rice, groundnut, millet and other cash crops,” he said.

Bashir said that 8,000 farmers were affected in Wudil, 6,000 in Warawa, 2,000 in Gaya and 3,000 in ‎Gabasawa among others.

The executive secretary said that the agency was compiling reports from the eight local government areas hit by the disaster to ascertain the value of the 35,000 farmlands destroyed.

He assured that a comprehensive report would be produced for onward submission to the state government for immediate consideration.

He also added that the agency received alert from Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that 20 local governments of the state would be affected by flooding.

NAN recalls that the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) recently disclosed that its members in Kano state lost over 5, 000 hectares of rice farms to flood in 10 local government areas of the state. (NAN)
MNT/MTM/IS
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After 2-month-old vacation, Federal High Courts resume, begin new legal year

Resumption
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Activities resumed on Monday at the Federal High Courts after a two-month annual vacation of the judges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Federal High Courts across the country had through a circular signed by the Chief Judge,
Justice Abdu Kafarati commenced vacation on July 9.

The circular had indicated that the Abuja Division of the court will handle cases from the Federal Capital Territory, North-Central, North-West and the North-East parts of the country.

It stated that the Lagos Division will adjudicate in cases from the South-West while the Port Harcourt Division were to handle cases from the South-South and South-East.

In Lagos, both Justice Sule Hassan and Justice Chuka Obiozor, a professor of law, sat as vacation judges to handle matters of extreme
urgency.

Meanwhile, activities marking the new legal year for the Federal judiciary have taken off

NAN reports that the week opened on Monday in Abuja with worships at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and at the National Mosque to be
followed by a special court session at the Federal High Court Complex, Abuja.

The court’s 34th Annual Judges’ Conference holds Sept. 18 at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. (NAN)

UNS/FLP/DA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dele Akinsola

Juve’s Ronaldo off the mark, Costa dismissed for spitting

Milan, Sept.17, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Cristiano Ronaldo broke his Juventus duck in his fourth game when his second-half brace gave them a 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday.

But the Turin side’s day was marred by a red card for Douglas Costa for spitting at an opponent in the keenly contested match.

Ronaldo, five-times World Player of the Year, opened his account in the easiest possible fashion by tapping into an empty net from less than two metres in the 50th minute, before finishing off a counter-attack to claim his second.

Khouma Babacar headed one back in the 90th minute but the game ended in ugly scenes as Costa became involved in a running feud with Sassoulo midfielder Federico Di Francesco.

The Brazilian escaped with a booking for elbowing and head-butting his rival as they tangled before the Sassuolo goal, but was sent off after cameras caught him spitting at the same player in another altercation.

Amid much less fanfare, Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain, who left Juventus on loan shortly after Ronaldo’s arrival, scored his first goal for AC Milan to earn them a 1-1 draw at Cagliari.

AS Roma warmed up for their visit to Real Madrid on Wednesday by squandering a 2-0 lead and drawing 2-2 at home to lowly Chievo.

Juventus, chasing an eighth successive Serie A title, have 12 points, three ahead of Napoli, while Sassuolo are on eight after their first defeat of the season.

“I was a little bit anxious as expectations were high,” Ronaldo said. “I really wanted to score, so I’m happy.”

Sassuolo allowed Ronaldo few openings in the first half apart from an early shot which was blocked and a header wide from Alex Sandro’s cross.

He also tried his luck from a 30-metre free kick, sending a disappointing effort harmlessly wide of Andrea Consigli’s goal.

But Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s prediction that it would be Ronaldo’s day proved to be right.

Ronaldo’s luck changed when Sassuolo defender Gian Marco Ferrari headed a corner on to his own post and the rebound left Ronaldo with the easiest of tap-ins.

Sassuolo, who caused Juventus trouble all afternoon, were then caught on the break, with Emre Can sliding the ball to Ronaldo to drill an angled left-foot shot into the far corner.

Ronaldo could easily have had a hat-trick but missed two more good chances and had a penalty appeal turned down.

He volleyed wide from an unmarked position six metres out and failed to hit the target when the rebound landed at his feet as Joao Cancelo’s shot was saved by Consigli.

Brazilian Joao Pedro, in his first game back after a six-month doping ban, gave Cagliari a fourth-minute lead with an untidy effort against Milan before Higuain levelled with an opportunist goal 10 minutes after halftime.

Roma were left with only five points from four games after another unhappy afternoon.

Stephan El Shaarawy and Bryan Cristante put them 2-0 ahead in under half an hour, but Chievo hit back after the break as Valter Birsa curled in a delightful effort and Mariusz Stepinski levelled with seven minutes left.

Winless Chievo are on minus one point after having three deducted on Thursday by the Italian federation over accounting irregularities.

A second-half goal by Krzysztof Piatek gave Genoa a 1-0 win over Bologna in another match marred by ugly scenes after the visitors had Erick Pulgar sent off for a shocking tackle on Romulo.

The rough tackle sparked a scuffle involving a number of players.

Torino midfielder Soualiho Meite was hero and villain in his team’s 1-1 draw at Udinese. His mistake led to Rodrigo de Paul’s opener for Udinese but the Frenchman made amends with the equaliser after halftime.

Lazio won 1-0 at Empoli in Sunday’s other game. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Silas Nwoha

2 men docked over alleged theft of goods worth N257,000

Goods

Theft

By Nana Musa

Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Police on Monday arraigned one Fidelis Frank, and Abdulmuminu Yakubu, at a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing goods worth  N257,000.

The defendants, who reside at Jabi Daki-biyu, Abuja, had pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against them.

The prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that one Hajiya Musa, of FMC Quarters, Jabi, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station, Abuja, on Aug. 28.

Ukagha said that the complainant reported that the defendants were her employees at her beauty salon, located in  Jabi,  Abuja.

She said that the accused persons on Aug. 25, dishonestly stole goods worth N257,000 from her shop.

The prosecutor said that the men could not give satisfactory account of the missing items during investigation, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of  Section 289 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, granted bail to the defendants in the  sum of N200, 000 with one surety each, in like sum.

He adjourned the case until Oct. 22, for hearing. (NAN)

NHM/FLP/OU

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Obike Ukoh

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Qualification

By Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Basketball enthusiasts have urged Nigeria’s senior national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, to resist the temptation of lowering their standard after securing qualification in style for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.

D’Tigers officially became the first team to qualify for the FIBA Men’s World Cup after overpowering Central African Republic 114-69 at the National Stadium, Lagos on Saturday.

The victory came in-between a hard-fought 84-69 victory against Ivory Coast and an assured 89-61 bashing of Senegal to become the first team to clinch a China World Cup spot.

Some basketball devotees who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday warned against any act of complacency.

Daddy Lawal, Coach of Gilali Basketball Club, said tougher opponents await D’Tigers in the Third Window of the FIBA games coming up in November.

“Their seamless qualification from Africa shows the development of basketball in Nigeria, but the team should understand that what lies ahead would be tougher.

“It is going to be tougher, so they really need to work more. They have qualified from Africa and going forward they will confront stiffer oppositions.

“The reward for their hard work is more work,” he said.

Nigeria qualified from Africa by maintaining a 100 per cent record, winning all nine matches and those who spoke with NAN said it meant the team was on the right track.

Peter Ahmedu, Assistant Coach of the Women’s National Team, D’Tigress, said: “It is a great honour that Nigeria is one of the first countries to qualify for the World Cup.

“That they booked their place in the qualifiers on home soil even makes it more interesting and we are proud of the team.

“There are still hurdles ahead, but it is not difficult to see that the team is on the right track,” Ahmedu, whose D’Tigress side are preparing for the Women’s World Cup in Spain has said.

Nigeria missed the 2010 and 2014 editions of the World Cup and last participated in the 2006 tournament.

Adeka Daudu, Coach of Mark Mentors of Abuja, said the success recorded by the team would go a long way to influence basketball development at the grassroots.

“We are happy that we have progressed. The players and coaching crew have so far done a fantastic job having gone through the rounds without losing any match.

“What is needed now is for the team to step up preparations. I am optimistic the team will perform well.

“I am not saying they will win the World Cup but hopefully they will give a good account of themselves,” he said.

“More importantly, we have to use the success of D’Tigers as a platform to develop basketball at the grassroots.

“Whatever we achieve at the international level, if it doesn’t trickle down to the development of the game at the local level then it makes no sense.

“That’s what I expect from the team; a performance that will aid grassroots development.”

In spite of their brilliance, there were moments when D’Tigers faltered against formidable oppositions during the qualifiers as shown during the game against Ivory Coast.

Lawal advised the team’s coaching crew to further work on their mental fitness. (NAN)
KIA/MO/PDE
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(Edited by Omolade Michael/Peter Ejiofor)

CCT: 3, 487 households receive N5,000 monthly stipends in Kaugama LGA
Stipend
By Nabilu Balarabe
Kaugama (Jigawa), Sept. 17, 2018(NAN) No fewer than 3,487 households in Kaugama Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa are currently receiving N5,000 monthly stipends under the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme.
Alhaji Ahmed Abdulhamid, the Vice Chairman of the LGA, disclosed this while speaking at a sensitisation programme for the beneficiaries of the scheme on Monday in Tauran Yamma in Kaugama.
According to him, the households are drawn from Unguwar Jibrin, Jae, Dabuwaran, Girbobo and Yalo wards of the area.
He commended the federal government for introducing the scheme and promised to provide all necessary support towards its successful implementation.
Earlier, the Head of Unit, Cash Transfer Programme in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Rabakaya, said the scheme was aimed at supporting the poor and the vulnerable in the society to enable them become self-reliant.
He, however, listed conditions for accessing the fund to include evidence of immunisation, antenatal attendance and environmental sanitation.
In his remark, the District Head of Tauran Yamma, Alhaji Tijjani Haruna, urged the LGA to create more awareness on the scheme with a view to protecting residents from activities of criminals who masquerade under the scheme to defraud the people.(NAN)
NB/KTO/ABI
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ali Inuwa