Blog

NAN-HG-23
Nurses
By Elusogbon Dorcas
Ile-Ife (Osun), Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Anthony Elujoba, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Wednesday advised the newly inducted nurses to be good ambassadors of the profession.

Elujoba gave the advice at the induction of new nurses that graduated from the institution in Ile-Ife.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university presented 189 graduate nurses of 2014/2015 set for the induction.

The VC, represented by Prof. Segun Fatusi, Provost of the college, urged the inductees to put to practice all the attributes of nursing impacted in them.

He also advised them to imbibe the ethics, rules and regulations of the profession for them to stand out among their colleagues.

Elujoba said that they should be honest with their patients and other members of the public.

In his remarks, the provost advised the inductees not to relent in their efforts to build a virile nation.

Fatusi appealed to the inductees to be caring and give proper attention to their clients, urging them to strive for the comfort of their patients.

He also urged them to be compassionate in understanding the feelings of their patients and treat them well.

Fatusi implored parents to assist the university in the area of infrastructure development and modern equipment.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, Miss Oluwaseun Ibiyemi, thanked their parents, lecturers and the university management for making them effective and efficient.

Ibiyemi urged her colleagues to be agile, intelligent, hospitable and aspire to attain more academic excellence with a view to achieving their dreams and professional standard. (NAN)
EDA/KOLE/GOK
(Editing by Remi Koleoso/Olagoke Olatoye)
=========

NAN-H-65
Training
Kano, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government says it has enrolled over 25,000 primary school teachers for the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme to enhance professionalism in the teaching service.
The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, made this known when he visited the Director General, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna, Prof. Garba Azare on Wednesday.
The Deputy Governor, who is also the state Commissioner for Education, said that the re-training programme was aimed at producing qualitative teachers in the state.
According to a statement by the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Malam Balarabe Abdullahi, the training would cost the state government over 200 million annually.
“From now on, the state government has stopped the recruitment of teachers without the minimum teaching qualification,’’ said the deputy governor.
The deputy governor also said that efforts were being made to extend the teachers registration to meet the requirements of Teachers Registration Council.
He assured the NTI boss of the state sincere participation in the professional teachers programme to enhance the quality of education in the state. (NAN)
BO/ORO/WOJ
================
(Editing by Razak Owolabi/Wale Ojetimi)

Niger: NIPOST generates N18m in 6 months
‎
NAN-H-64

NIPOST

Minna, Oct 12, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Niger Territory, generated N18, 654, 612.75 between January and June, its Area Postal Manager, Mr Simon Adoyi, said on Wednesday.

Adoyi made this known at an open forum organised for staff of the territory in Minna.‎

He said it was an improvement on the territory’s performance for the first half last year, when it generated N13, 562, 807.75 between January and June 2015.

Adoyi said that while this year’s figure may not have doubled that of last year as he would have desired, he was satisfied with the achievement, given the current harsh economic realities.‎

He saluted the courage of the employees, noting that the modest achievement would not have been possible without the support and contributions of all.

“I want to call on all of us that the journey is far from being over; success like we all know is not a destination, but a call for striving harder to achieve higher heights,” Adoyi said.

He said that he looked forward to the territory beating the target projections handed to it by NIPOST corporate headquarters by the end of the year.‎ (NAN)

AMEN‎/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-S-9
Tennis
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Unseeded Nigerian, Clifford Enosoregbe, created the first upset at the ongoing 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis as he defeated Sweden’s Maciej Smola, seeded five in three sets, winning 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match lasted for about three hours, 45 minutes at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

An elated Enosoregbe, a gold medallist at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, told NAN that he was glad winning and hoped to win his way to the final.

“It was not an easy match for me.  It took me a whole lot to defeat him.

“My opponent is a strong base-line player with a big serve and I had to make a way to curb his moves.

“I trained hard for this victory and I hope to win my next game up to the final, God willing,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Smola, who declined comment left angrily to the men’s dressing room.

NAN reports that the players at the tournament, who came from 39 countries, are fighting for ranking points and 50, 000 dollars prize money each in the men and women’s events.

The finals of the first leg will hold on Saturday. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-62
Car
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Oct.  12, 2016 (NAN) Two men, who allegedly stole a Honda Civic car valued at N6.7 million, were on Wednesday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on Lagos island.

The accused — Olamide Bello, 32, and Adebola David, 28 — whose addresses were not given, are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The duo and others at large allegedly committed the offences between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9, at Oniru Market, Lekki, Lagos, according to the Prosecutor Tubi Olajide.

He said the accused stole a Honda Civic saloon car with registration no. FD 304 LSR valued at N6.7 million, property of a woman, Fatimat Oseni.

Olajide alleged that Bello, with the intent to defraud, falsely presented himself as Olamide Bello, against his real name Kehinde Bello Kehinde.

“The duo and others still at large wilfully damaged the ignition of the car.”

The offences contravened Sections 285 (1), 378 (1), 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ajayi, granted the duo bail in the sum of N250,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She said the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood, tax payment and that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused.

The case was adjourned to Nov. 27 for mention.  (NAN)
OCC/ENN/DA
==========

Controlled by Dele Akinsola  & edited by Edwin Nwachukwu

NAN-S-7
Tennis
Lagos, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) All the Nigerian women in the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament are out in the second round as unseeded Aminat Quadri the last female had an injury and could not play.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that she had a work-over match against Isreal’s Deniz Khazaniuk, who is tournament’s number five seed at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club venue of the tennis event.

Russia-born Nigerian, Melissa Ifidzhen, ranked 1033, was the first to crash out in her opening game with India’s Thrombare, who won 7-5, 6-2.

Next in the line is unseeded Christie Agugbom, a four-time winner of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Competition who lost to Sweden’s Brenda Njuki, winning 6-1, 6-1.

Another top female Nigerian, who also crashed out in her opening match is unseeded, Ronke Akingbade, who lost to Alexandra Riley of U.S., who won 6-3, 6-1.

Meanwhile, in the doubles, the duo of unseeded Osariemem Airhumwunde and Patience Onebamhoin, both on wild cards, lost to France’s Fiona Codino and Harmony Tan, who won 6-2 and 6-1 in the first round.

Unseeded Agugbom and Samuel Blessing also suffered the same fate as Sweden’s duo, Njuki and Fanny Ostlund, defeated them in the first round, winning 6-2, 6-1.

Netherland’s Chayenne Ewijk and Rosalie Van Der Hoek sent off Akingbade and Deborah Gbadamosi, winning 6-0 and 6-0.

NAN reports that the players, who came from 39 countries of the world will be fighting for ranking points and 50, 000 dollars prize money each in the men and women’s events.

The finals of the first leg will hold on Saturday. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-72
Democracy
By Veronica Dariya
Abuja, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) A legal practitioner, Mr Jude Kaleijaye, has advised the Federal Government to consolidate on the gains of democracy rather than steps that will weaken it

Kaleijaye gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday

He appealed to government at all levels to make decisions that would protect the democratic system of governance and not those that would jeopardise it.

The lawyer commended the Federal Government for its efforts to curb corruption in the country.

Kaleijaye, however, stressed the need for government to follow due process for every step it takes because this the panacea toward  strengthening the system.

“A lot of sacrifices have been made in the past to get us to where we are today, let’s not forget that. I believe in the Federal Government’s fight against corruption and I am personally in full support of the entire idea.

“But we must act accordingly; we must not forget that international eyes are on us. To be found breaching the law is not good for our democracy at all.

“The three arms of government must work together, make and take decisions that are in line with the law. They should be decisions that will favour democracy and not otherwise.”

According to him, all powers must be shared accordingly and responsibly.

He said that in cases where parties under a particular arm of governance are found wanting, apex bodies of such institutions should be allowed to carry out investigations first.

“For instance, we all agree that there are corrupt judges in the institution. First, we write a petition to the CJN who should summon them.

“And then if at all it gets worse, the NJC is responsible for the discipline or punishing of corrupt judges in line with the law through their own panel of investigation.

“There is also where the police may come in and so on, it is that simple and no one cries foul.”

The lawyer also called on his colleagues to help restore the falling reputation of the profession and the growth of democracy.  (NAN)
DVK/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Association calls for more public enlightenment to sustain cashless policy
NAN-H-61
Enlightenment
Lagos, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN) has called for more public sensitisation on e-payment services to sustain the Federal Government’s cashless policy.

The EPPAN Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Onajite Regha, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that such campaigns would help to update the customers and allow them to enjoy e-payment services.

“Intense education needs to be carried out for customers to appreciate the convenience of e-payment.

“Also awareness about fraud and online security tips will be necessary to sustain government’s cashless policy,” Regha said.

She noted that apart from low awareness, some other challenges facing online payments in the country include security, epileptic power supply, interoperability and interconnectivity of networks.

The EPPAN chief listed weak risk framework and a lack of unique identifier for customers across institutions as hindrances to the development of online payment services.

According to her, these are some of the reasons customers that are compelled to resist patronage and embrace the new products.

On the part of operators, she noted that high operating cost, low level of card usage on Point of Sales (POS) posed a challenge to them.

Regha said that awareness was necessary to strengthen risk framework and encourage more customers to utilise the services.

She urged the government to invest more in infrastructure that support e-payment services by providing adequate power supply and free data charges. (NAN)
AKA/COF/TON
============

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Tony Nezianya

NAN-S-8
Basketball
Abuja, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The 81 Div. Lagos, and the Army Headquarters’ basketball teams on Wednesday lived up to expectations, posting blowout wins to reach the semi-finals of the male and female basketball event respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams had won their first matches coming into the 2016 Nigerian Army Sports Festival in Abuja.

The 81Div. male basketball team had defeated 3 Div., Jos 74-65, while the AHQ female team out dunked 2 Divison, Ibadan 51-32.

The team had struggled to reach their full potential, while the Army Headquarters team delivered much more than expected in also reaching the last four.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 81 Div. extended their winning streaks to 2 consecutive games by routing 3 Div. 81-29.

The team dominated all four quarters, winning 28-5, 14-7, 22-7, 17-10, with Joseph Abah amassing 21 points at the end of the one-sided encounter.

“We got our swagger back, offensively and defensively.

“We are very motivated and good to go. We are now in the semi-finals,’’ Abah said.

Coach Lambo Olusoji of 81 Div., who spoke to NAN, attributed his side’s success to good preparation and teamwork.

“We are very comfortable and confident in the way we play because we prepared so well for the games.

“I don’t think any team can stop our momentum,’’ he said.

On his part, the coach of 3 Div., Adekunle Odunuga, said that inadequate preparation was the reason for his team’s poor performance.

“We didn’t have time to prepare as a team for the games and this has clearly shown in our last two performances.

“We have so far lost all our two matches,’’ he lamented.

Also, the game between Army Headquarters and their 81 Div. counterparts saw the former out dunk their opponents 72-20 to ease into the last four.

In other matches played earlier, 3 Div. lost 47-95 to 1 Div., while 2 Div. edged 82 Div. 45-48 in a pulsating encounter of the male basketball event.

The 1 Div. male basketball team also narrowly lost 65-74 to 81 Div., while Army Headquarters defeated 2 Div. 51-32 in the female category.

NAN reports that the Sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8 will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)
VO/PDE
======
(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-63
Road
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Wednesday called on the state government to construct a 20-kilometre road in Rabah Local Government area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed a motion by Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari (APC-Rabah) which was seconded by Alhaji Aminu Bala (APC-Bodinga South).
Zakari said that the road would ease challenges being faced by farmers in moving their farm produce out to markets.
He said that the road would link villages like Tsamiya, Dan Ali, Sangiwa, Danbanjo, Gidan Malan Mande, Gwalgware and Yar-Tsakuwa, among others.
“The road will further boost the agriculture activities in the area and enable the farmers to have access to markets for their farms,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji (APC- Bodinga North), who presided over the sitting, called on the state government to expedite action on the road in view of its economic importance to the people. (NAN)
MNB/IS/TA
========
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi