Blog

NAN-DS-21
Surrender
Maiduguri, Oct. 12, 2016(NAN) The Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday said it had opened a window for Boko Haram members wishing to surrender to do so, after intensive bombardment at their Sambisa forest hideout in Borno.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this at a news conference in
Maiduguri.

He said “we have conducted intensive bombardment that lasted more than eight days at the Sambisa forest.

“We have now opened a window for those wishing to surrender to do so.”

Abubakar added that the target was to eliminate the terrorists and ensure the return of peace in the North East.

“Our aim is to restore the sanity of our people and to ensure that there is peace everywhere in the North East.” (NAN)
ABI/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-115

Workshop
By Sylvester Thompson
Abuja, Oct.12, 2016 (NAN) A group, the Rebuild Project Initiative, is organising a two day national workshop for all local council chairmen and heads of administration in the country.

The workshop is schedule to hold today Oct.12 and 13, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.

According to a statement signed by the programme coordinator, Mr Fehinti Dada on Wednesday, the workshop is to sensitise participants on the way out of economic recession.

The workshop will sensitise them to the reality of the nation’s dwindling economic fortune, and expose them to emerging opportunities in economic diversification.

Dada added that during the workshop, the council administrators shall interact with the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo.

“This is to enable them familiarise with their roles in the ongoing process of economic diversification and other issues affecting the economy.

“The participants shall also be addressed by top government officials and other key players in the economy on new opportunities in the agricultural, solid minerals and industrial sectors.

“A communiqué shall be issued at the end of the two-day workshop,” he said. (NAN)
SET/AK/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-90

Education

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun says he has no regrets in committing the largest part of the state’s resources to education development.

Aregbesola spoke when he unveiled a new block of 10 classroom in Attan-Ayegbaju town, Osun, on Wednesday

The classrooms was built by the Anglican Church in honour of Chief Bisi Akande. a former Governor of Osun and interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress.

According to him, by investing massively in education, his administration is preparing the state’s future leaders for a better tomorrow

“Education by far has commanded our greatest engagement and resources and we owe no one any apology over this,.

”As I often let people know, we are preparing for the next 25 years, what we want our children to become and where we want them to be in an increasingly digitised and fiercely competitive world.”

Aregbesola said that the dedication of the classrooms resonates with the vision of his administration’s education programmers.

In his speech, Akande, attributed decadence and immorality in Nigerian schools to the forceful take-over of the missionary schools by successive military governments.

Akande said the consequence of the military take-over of the schools across the country resulted in the displacement of people with moral integrity by fraudsters and and the vagabonds from political leadership space.

He said that the major reason why the military took over schools from missionaries was to lay the foundation for their own immorality and corruption.

According to him, whether in Islamic schools or in any evangelical learning centres, all Missionary schools known to Nigerians are institutions for moral instructions.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria ( Anglican Communion), Mst. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, said religion remains a veritable tool for the promotion of peaceful cohabitation and tolerance in the society.

Okoh, who decried religious crises in some parts of the country, expressed hope that with a Christian faith building a school in honour of a Muslim statesman, Nigeria would soon get out of religious vendetta.

He described Akande as a true Muslim whose ideology and faith have impacted greatly in the lives of fellow beings without discrimination. (NAN)

VE/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-113
Anxiety
By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) There was palpable anxiety at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Wednesday over the alleged sack and demotion of not fewer than 22 directors and general managers of the agency.

A reliable source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos that majority of the directors were relieved of their duties while the general managers were demoted.

The source said some of the affected general managers, who were not properly placed in their appointments, were demoted from Grade Levels 17 and 16 to levels 10, 12 and 14 respectively.

NAN gathered that the restructuring was done by the Ministry of Transport following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee chaired by the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had said aviation agencies, particularly FAAN and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), were over-bloated

The committee, in its report, discovered that FAAN had no fewer than 40 general managers and 11 directorates created from existing directorates thereby raising overhead cost immensely.

Similarly, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), had complained about the inappropriate placements.

They had alleged that some senior management personnel were appointed into sensitive positions through political connections without the prerequisite experience or qualifications.

They alleged that some personnel who were employed between 2012 and 2013 had just completed their National Youth Service between 2008 and 2010 but were given management positions. (NAN)

ASO/AK/IEA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Idahosa Asowata

FG denies ignoring plight of Nigerian students in Turkey

NAN-H-110
Students
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct.12, 2016 (NAN) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it was determined to ensure cases of Nigerian students experiencing any form of maltreatment in Turkish and elsewhere are urgently addressed.

The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr Clement Aduku, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Aduku was reacting to a report that the Federal Government had not taken appropriate actions to protect the welfare of Nigerian students in Turkey caught up in its post-coup situation.

He said that contrary to the report, the leadership of the Ministry had taken series of proactive steps to adequately address the situation.

“The Ministry wishes to assure Nigerians that its leadership has ensured that adequate steps were taken here in Nigeria and in Turkey to uphold the well being of Nigerian students in Turkey.

“The Ambassador of Turkey in Nigeria was summoned to the Ministry on three separate occasions during which the request for the closure of Turkish Schools was flatly rejected.

“The Ministry also rejected the option of returning students to Nigeria to obtain fresh Visas to enable them continue in the schools to which they have been transferred,” he said.

According to him the Federal Government, in addition to that, demanded immediate release of detained Nigerian students in Turkey.

He stated that this position was strongly conveyed by the Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria in Ankara to the competent Turkish authorities, who had been working diligently to this end as well.

“At this point virtually all the students have been released with the demand for fresh Visas dropped as to allow the students continue with their studies unhindered,” he said.(NAN)
IAA/AK/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-112
Teachers
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The UN Children Fund (UNICEF) says the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will employ 106 girls as primary school teachers under the Girls Education Programme (GEP 3).

Hajiya Zainab Kaita, the UNICEF Desk Officer at SUBEB, disclosed this during a press briefing in Katsina on Wednesday as part of activities to mark the 2016 UN Girl-Child Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme for this year’s girl-child day is “Girls Progress Equals to Goals Progress.”

The desk officer said that under the programme, UNICEF would provide scholarship to the girls up to National Certificate of Education (NCE) level.

She added that “after obtaining NCE, the girls will be employed by SUBEB and posted to their respective rural areas to teach in primary schools.

“That will assist to reduce the problem of inadequate female teachers in primary schools across the state.”

According to her, UNICEF has selected Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Niger and Zamfara states for the programmme.

Kaita revealed that the girls would also be given access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to improve their healthcare condition.

She said that poverty, security challenges and inadequate female teachers were some factors responsible for low girl-child school enrollment in the country.

The Chairperson, High Level Women Advocates (HilWA), Hajiya Mariya Abdullahi, also told newsmen
that the state had 19,274 teachers, out of which, only 4,341 were females, representing 23 per cent.

She said that out of the 13,051 teachers who were qualified for teaching, only 3,238 were females, representing 25 per cent.

“You can see why there is the need for all and sundry to put hands together to ensure that more girls are enrolled in schools up to tertiary level,’’ she said.

She said that the organisation’s activities for this year would focus on increased investments in girls’ health, safety and education.

Abdullahi urged parents to take their daughters to schools for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) .(NAN)
ZI/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-108
Scavengers
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, sentenced two scavengers, Ibrahim Suleman and Jamilu Hassin to one month in prison for stealing iron rods and chairs.

Suleman, 24, and Hassin, 22, of Dumping Ground area, Mabushi, Abuja, were sentenced on one-count charge of being in possession of items suspected to be stolen.

The presiding officer, Abubakar Sadiq, gave the sentence after they pleaded guilty to the charge.

Sadiq, however, gave each of the convicts an option of N5,000 fine, and warned them to desist from committing further crime.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had told the court that a crime prevention unit led by one Insp. Abah Gabriel arrested and brought the two to the Mabushi Police Station, Abuja.

Zannah said that the team caught the scavengers at about 2. 40 a.m. on Oct. 10 at Banex junction, Wuse 2, Abuja, with iron rods, Aluminu poles and plastic chairs, suspected to be stolen.

He said that the convicts could not give satisfactory account of where they got the items during police investigation.

He added that the case was still under investigation and the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates five years imprisonment for stealing, with an option of fine or both. (NAN)
UGO/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-107
Duties
By Bababusu Mohammed
Lafia, Oct 12, 2016 (NAN) Gov.Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state, has called on civil servants in the state to exhibit high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties

The governor made the call on Wednesday in Lafia when he swore-in Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumini, as one of the Permanent Commissioners to oversee the affairs of the state Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulmumini, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), is one of the four Permanent Commissioners appointed in the CSC.

Abdulmumini was in Saudi Arabia for this year’s holy pilgrimage when Al-Makura swore-in the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musa Danganaand and the other three commissioners.

Al-Makura noted that exhibition of high professionalism and diligence by civil servants would complement the transformation agenda of his administration.

“Nasarawa state is one of the states in the country blessed with high quality workers judging by their outputs in various segments of the civil service,” he said.

The governor advised the workers to shun absenteeism, lateness and insubordination to enable the state move forward.

He warned that it was not going to be business as usual for some staff who had cultivated the habit of coming late to work and others who  failed to turn up for duty.

“Staff must shun truancy, indiscipline, corruption and lateness to work, among other bad habits,’’ he said.

He urged the former SSG to use her wealth of experience to reposition the state’s civil service, having served in various positions.

In her remark, Abdulmumini expressed gratitude to the governor for giving her the opportunity to serve as one of the permanent commissioners in the civil service commission.

She promised to “do everything possible’’ to promote the state civil service. (NAN)

BAB/DUA/AEA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Archibong Asuquo

Police Pension: EFCC witness reveals how funds were moved to different accounts

NAN-H-89

Witness

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Mr Mustapha Gadanya, an Economic and Financial Criminal Commission (EFCC) witness, on Wednesday told an FCT High Court how the then Director of Police Pensions moved funds into different accounts

Gadanya was among the team that investigated the matter and Esai Dangabar was the former Director Police Pension Fund.

Dangabar, Atiku Kigo, Ahmed Wada, Veronica Onyegbula, Sani Zira, Uzoma Attang and Christian Madubuke, are standing trial for complicity in the over N24 billion scam in the police pension office

Gadanya, in his testimony, told the court how Dangabar deposited some money in accounts in different banks.

Led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said that the bank analysis revealed that Dangarbar fixed some amount in the bank to yield turnover

He said that about N320 million was deposited in Skye bank between May, 2008 and July 2009 for his companies, Marine Logistics and leisure Integrated Ltd.

Gadanya told the court that the roll over accrued for him amounted to N249.8 million and N241 million, respectively which was later sent to the Federal Government after it was discovered.

He informed the court that between February, 2009 and June 2010, the manger of Syke bank, Jabi branch, help the first defendant to launder about N840 million.

Gadanya said the first defendant was also discovered to be the Managing Director and the sole signatory of Damule Nigeria Limited, the company his son was listed as director

The witness told the court that Dangarbar’s 16 duplexes at Wuyi District and six flats at Efab, in Abuja,had been forfeited temporarily to the Federal Government.

The judge, Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf, adjourned the trial till Oct. 13 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

NEO/OFN

edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-105
Youths
Kano, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Some angry youths on Wednesday chased away members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria popularly known as Shi’ite who came out in a procession in defiance of police order.

An eye witness, Muhammadu Yusuf, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that the incident happened around 1 p.m. at Kofar Mazugal in the abbatoir area.

Yusuf said the incident happened when the Shi’ite sect moved in a procession toward Abdullahi Bayero Jama’at Mosque, Fagge, where they normally convene before going round the city.

He added that the members blocked schools and markets around the area which angered some
people and as a result, angry youths came out with weapons, including machetes, sticks and knives in order to attack the Shi’ite members.

On sighting the mob, however, the Shiites took to their heels.

NAN reports that the quick intervention of policemen deployed to the area to maintain peace and order prevented what would have been a bloody clash between the sect members and the youths.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.

He said that the incident took place around the abbatoir area when members of the sect blocked some schools and markets around the place.

He added that the police had to rescue scores of women, children and the aged to safety, noting that “some members of the public stoned and attacked them but we had to rescue some women, children and the aged.

“We rescued between 40 and 50 persons and they are now in our safe custody,” Majiya said.

He dispelled the rumour that some people were killed during the fracas, adding that no casualty was recorded.

He, however, explained that the command had taken proactive measures to maintain law and order and that normalcy had since returned to the area.

“We have deployed a good number of policemen to strategic places in the state to prevent possible outbreak of law and order in the metropolis,” he added. (NAN)
MTM/NNO/HA
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(Edited by Nick Nicholas/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)