Blog

Jigawa Revenue Board wants motorists to replace faded number plates

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Numbers

Dutse, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Board of Internal Revenue has advised vehicles owners in the state whose number plates had faded and no longer identifiable, to replace them.

Alhaji Salisu Sani, the Coordinator of Road Taxes of the board, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday.

Sani said that vehicles with such faded number plates could be used to commit crimes since the information on them was no longer visible.

“We want to urge such vehicles owners to as quickly as possible replace the faded numbers.

“This is because such numbers are no longer identifiable, and as such, some criminals can hide under that and commit certain crimes.

“And the replacement can also help the board to generate more revenue for our dear state,” Sani said.

He explained that replacing the worn-out numbers would help in identifying vehicles from a far.

The coordinator expressed the board’s willingness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to check such vehicles. (NAN)
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi and Abdullahi Yusuf

OPEC plan to limit output, says energy agency

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Agency
Paris, Oct. 11, 2016 (dpa/NAN) A glut of oil, twinned with lackluster prices, indicates suppliers are following the right path as they seek to rein in production and relieve pressure on markets, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday.

In September, the 14 members OPEC agreed to set a cap on production to prop up prices.

These have been below 50 dollars per barrel much of the time since early 2015.

The IEA welcomed that decision in its monthly report, but said that details still need to be decided at the next OPEC meeting in November, which will have a significant impact on markets.

These include limits by country, with exports starting up again from Libya and production recovering in Nigeria.

It also said that the OPEC limit, set at between 32.5 and 33 million barrels per day, will also be impacted by the level of cooperation of non-OPEC producers like Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a visit to Turkey on Monday that Russia is ready to join OPEC in limiting production of crude oil.

Declining demand growth has added impetus to the need for supply side rebalancing, with demand growth shifting from a five-year high in the third quarter of 2015 to a four-year low in the third quarter of 2016.

The IEA said that global output was 97.2 million barrels a day, up by 0.2 million barrels per day compared to a year ago.

It also said that demand is expected to grow 1.2 million barrels a day in 2016, though the growth rate of demand is slowing.(dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)

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Tower
Dubai, Oct. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Dubai said on Monday it had started building what would be the world’s tallest tower, another record for the city that is already home to the highest skyscraper – the Burj Khalifa.

The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour – a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding, the investment vehicle of the emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum – will be completed in 2020.

The government’s statement did not say how high the tower would be or how much it might cost.

Guinness World Records defines a tower as a structure in which less than 50 per cent of the total height is useable floor space.

The world’s tallest tower is the Tokyo Sky Tree, a 634-metre-high broadcasting, restaurant and observation tower.

Dubai, a major tourism and entertainment centre, is continually laying plans for new attractions.

Its new tower, part of a plush new residential area next to a waterfront, will feature several garden-themed observation decks, it said.

The Burj Khalifa is 829.8 meters (2,722 feet) high. (Reuters/NAN)
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Girl-Child
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Oct.11, 2016 (NAN) The Deputy Governor of Rivers, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, has called for the enactment of more laws that would guarantee protection of girl-child in Nigeria.

Banigo said in a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Mr Paul Damgbor, in commemoration of the 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of the Girl-Child is celebrated annually on Oct.11 around the world.

Theme of 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child is: “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement”.

“This is a call for action for increased investment in collecting and analysing girl-focused, girl-relevant and sex-disaggregated data.’’

Banigo described the girl-child as “strategic in societal development’’ and “a vulnerable group that needs adequate protection against all forms of harmful traditional practices’’.

She also called on the political class to midwife a process that would trigger the eradication of extant obnoxious laws that undermine the wellbeing of the girl-child.

“This day crystallises the reality before us; it should also awaken us to our collective responsibility to check the enactment of laws that disfavour the girl-child.

“We should also work toward facilitating the process of ensuring speedy justice in cases concerning girl-child rights abuse,’’ the deputy governor said.

Banigo said that cases like rape, early child marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse against the girl-child should be discouraged.

She urged parents to invest more in the education of their female children, saying, “when you educate a girl-child, she grows to become a mother to all’’.

UN Women, in its online publication said, “One year into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, improving data on girls and addressing the issues that are holding them back is critical for fulfilling the SDGs.

“One such issue that is standing in the way of girls’ progress is child marriage.

“The data is daunting- one in three girls in developing countries (except China) gets married before they turn 18.

“Girls who are child brides miss out on education, are more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, and bear children before they are physically or emotionally prepared.’’ (NAN)
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(Controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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Mrs Buhari alerts on extortionists defrauding rural women over loan

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Extortion

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has alerted rural women not to pay for forms being distributed for inclusion in the women empowerment programme under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Mrs Buhari decried reports of extortion of the women by some unscrupulous Nigerians who were collecting money for the forms.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by her media aide, Adebisi Olumide-Ajayi, said the forms for the interest-free loan was free.

She expressed sadness that some unscrupulous individuals were using her name to collect monies ranging from N1, 500 to N5,000 from unsuspecting members of the public.

Mrs Buhari noted that those involved in the act were deliverately sabotaging efforts to allow rural women feel the change promised them by the Federal Government.

She, therefore, urged security agencies to track down the perpetrators, so as not to sabotage the programme.(NAN)
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

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Knockdown
By Ayodeji Alabi
Akure, Oct.11, 2016 (NAN) A staff member of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo in Ondo State, Ayodele Alejo, who allegedly drove his car recklessly and knocked down a girl on a highway, is facing trial at an Akure Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, 44, however,  pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of reckless driving preferred against him.

Prosecutor Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 29 at about 8.10 a.m. on Oba-Ile-Airport road.

He alleged that Alejo drove an Octavia car with registration no. AGL 677 CB on the road recklessly without respect for other road users and knocked down a girl, Bimbo Omolere.

“She sustained injuries on the head and other parts of her body which later resulted into mental disorder for the accident victim.”

The offence contravened Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Abraham Yakubu, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Mrs M.T. Ulebe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to Nov.4  for mention. (NAN)
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Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola

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Flood
Abeokuta, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Ogun Government has urged residents living in areas severely affected by flood to relocate in order to guide against loss of lives and property.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, made the plea in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

According to him, some of the affected areas include: Kara, Isheri, Denro, Akute, Wawa and Warewa, all in Ifo and Obafemi Owode Local Government Areas of the state.

The commissioner said the state government had engaged in media campaign and road shows to sensitise residents.

Oyeleye said that failure of residents to heed the warnings could result to loss of lives and properties by the time the Oyan Dam of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) is released.

According to the commissioner, residents are advised to relocate to safer grounds to guide against flood coupled with heavy flow of rivers that are tributaries to the Ogun River.

Oyeleye urged residents to imbibe good environmental practice such as erecting buildings on flood planes and run-off routes.

He also called on residents to alert the state government of any impending disaster that might arise from flooding in these areas.

Oyeyemi said that the state government would work in conjunction with other relevant agencies and the Federal Government to provide succour to affected communities. (NAN)
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

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Pilgrims

Birnin Kebbi, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency says it has successfully completed the 2016 hajj operation with the return home of 4,105 pilgrims that performed the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Alh Bala Sakaba, the Executive Chairman of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the last batch of 296 pilgrims arrived the state through the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, the pilgrims arrived on Monday with their luggage “in high spirit and good health.”

The chairman lauded the conduct of the state pilgrims while in the Holy Land.

“Our pilgrims proved gentle and they complied with the rules and regulations of the Saudi-Arabian authorities.

“Not a single report of devient character was recorded by the board during the holy pilgrimage,’’ he said.

According to him, the agency would soon begin preparations for the conduct of the 2017 hajj.

Sakaba also commended the management of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for diligent handling of the 2016 hajj.

NAN reports that 4,107 pilgrims performed the 2016 Hajj out of which two pilgrims died due to ailments.

The two pilgrims reportedly died after completing all hajj rites in Mecca. (NAN)
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Edited by Abdulfatah Banatunde and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

South African finance minister issued with summons

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Summon
Pretoria, Oct. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South African prosecutors on Tuesday issued Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan with a formal summons in relation to the establishment of a tax department investigation unit a decade ago, the report said.

According to the summon, the action has sent the rand reeling.

The currency fell as much as 3 per cent when prosecutor Shaun Abrahams made his first announcement at a news conference.

The currency then extended its falls, trading at 14.2950 against the dollar at 08:33 a.m., a 3.5 per cent decline.

Gordhan, who is highly respected by financial markets, has painted the allegations about his role in establishing the special tax unit as “political mischief”.

He said that the prosecution officials delivered a summons to his house on Tuesday morning.

He was not at home at the time, he told reporters, adding that his lawyers would be issuing a statement shortly.

Abrahams denied any mischief in the handling of the case, saying the surveillance unit was set up in a “very strange manner” and had not been cleared by the national intelligence services.

In a latest development, the state prosecutor denied that there was  no “political mischief” behind an investigation into Gordhan’s role in the establishment of a tax department surveillance unit a decade ago. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)

Central African Republic, Chad, Zambia top global hunger index

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Hunger

Rome, Oct. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) An annual index that was published on Tuesday said that hunger levels in developing countries have fallen to 29 per cent since 2000.

It said that efforts to curb hunger must be accelerated in order to meet an international target to eradicate the level of hunger by 2030.

“Hunger levels are “alarming” in seven countries, with Central African Republic (CAR), Chad and Zambia experiencing the worst levels.

“Haiti, reeling from last week’s Hurricane Matthew and still recovering from a massive 2010 earthquake, has the fourth highest hunger score.

“Another 43 countries, including India, Nigeria and Indonesia, have “serious” hunger levels,’’ the 2016 Global Hunger Index sated.

It said that the current rate of decline affects more than 45 countries, including India, Pakistan, Haiti, Yemen, and Afghanistan will have “moderate” to “alarming” hunger scores in the year 2030.

“Countries must accelerate the pace at which they are reducing hunger” if they are to meet the 2030 target.

“Ending global hunger is certainly possible, but it’s up to all of us to set the priorities right.

“We must ensure that governments, private sector and civil society devote the time and resources necessary,” Shenggen Fan, Director General of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said.

World leaders agreed on a 2030 deadline for ending global hunger last year as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – an ambitious plan for tackling poverty, hunger and inequality.

IFPRI produces the annual index along with aid agencies Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf