Blog

NAN-H-75

Donation

By Mohammed Mamman

Gujba (Yobe), Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe government said on Monday it would share 5,136 bags of rice donated by the Federal Government to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in 21 communities across the state.

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam stated this in Gujba while receiving the donation from the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadijah Bukar.

Gaidam, who was represented by his deputy, Abubakar Aliyu, said the donation of food and non-food items would facilitate the resettlement and rehabilitation of the returning people of the communities.

“They will obviously need continuous delivery of relief materials up to the time they will consolidate themselves in the returned communities,” he said.

According to the governor, 3,000 bags will be shared to inhabitants of Katarko, Gujba, Buni Yadi, Buni Gari, Goniri, Gotala, and Kukuwa Tasha communities.

He said IDPs in Gulani Local Government Area would share 1,200 bags, just as those in Damaturu Local Government Area would share 492 bags.

“Gambir, Mitiri, Malumti, and Alhajiri local governments will share 200 bags while, Pompomari, Kukareta and Usmanti were allocated 244 bags.”

Earlier, the minister said the Federal Government donated the food through the National Logistics Committee for movement of relief items coordinated by the Nigeria Customs Service.

Khadijah expressed satisfaction with the process of distribution adopted by the state committee on resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced persons chaired by the deputy governor.

She assured the people of government’s continued support to persons displaced by insurgency in the state. (NAN)

MM/DO/YEE

Edited by David Onilede/Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-AE-9
Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday with chances of early morning isolated thunderstorms over Jalingo, Makurdi, Mambilla and environs.

NiMet gave the predictions in its Weather Outlook issued by the Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday in Abuja.

It added that localized thunderstorms would prevail over the high ground areas of Abuja, Jos, Southern Kaduna and Minna in the evening/night hours with maximum temperatures of 28 to 33 degrees Celsius.

The agency also predicted that the southern states would experience increased cloudiness in the morning with probability of localised rains over Lagos, Warri, Enugu and Awka.

It also predicted localized thunderstorms/rain showers over Port Harcourt, Calabar, Benin, Akure, Ibadan, Owerri and Enugu during the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 29 to 32 degrees Celsius.

NiMet predicted that northern states would experience partly cloudy to sunny conditions with possibility of localized thundery activities around Yelwa axis in the evening and maximum temperatures of 32 to 37 degrees Celsius.

According to the prediction, influx of moisture laden winds from the south up to the central cities is expected to induce rainfall activities over the regions.

“The extreme northern cities are expected to be stable in the next 24 hours,’’ it said. (NAN)
OYS/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-HG-16
Health
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Stakeholders in the health sector have urged agencies of government and international donor organisations to pay more attention to mental healthcare.

They contended that those living with the condition were `significantly more’ than those living with HIV/AIDS.

The stakeholders made the remarks on Monday in Abuja at a summit organised by Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI), an NGO, to mark World Mental Health Day.

Dr Olusola Ephraim-Oluwanuga, Chief Consultant Psychiatry at the National Hospital, said there were more people with mental health problems than those living with HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

She expressed concern that more attention was being paid to people living with HIV/AIDS than those with mental health.

She said that the devastating effects of insurgent attacks and other crises across the country had left several people in need of psychiatric evaluation.

She declared that though victims of these crises are often affected psychologically, little or no attention is given to provide them with health care services that would cater to their needs.

“Mental health is as important as physical health.

“But you find that agencies of government and international organisations focus more on catering to the physical needs of the people rather than mental needs.

“Nigeria has mental health policy, but this policy is not being implemented.

“This is not a document that needs reviewing because it is in line with global health practices,” Oluwanuga said.

Mr Haruna Wakarni, member, Board of Trustees, MHEI, expressed concern that `triggers of trauma’ are on the rise due to increasing spate of crises in the country.

He warned that as a result of the development, cases of mental health would continue to increase unless urgent measures to taken by the government to resolve the crises.

Mr Solomon Mamman, member, Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria, stressed the need for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to work together to  address issues of mental health.

He said that several people, especially those in rural communities, who are in need of psychological evaluation and support, could not access them due to the poor state of mental health institutions.

He decried the poor state of the institutions and lack of facilities and equipment for medical experts and psychiatrists to function.

“The world is going through crises and psychological trauma is precipitant to mental breakdown.

“We are eager to use our skills in helping the less privileged, but due to these constraints we are yet to achieve this,” Mamman said.

Mr Omotayo Hamzat, NPO, Essential Drugs and Medicines, World Health Organisation (WHO), reiterated the commitment of the organisation to support NGOs and Civil Society groups in addressing issues of mental health in Nigeria.

He urged the Federal Government to make building a mentally stable society one of its major priority.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day is set aside to raise global awareness and advocacy on mental health.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Psychological First Aid.” (NAN)

KRY/EAL/AEA
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Editorial Ekemini Ladejobi/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-S-20

Meeting

By Emmanuel Afonne

Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday met with the Chairman of Heartland FC, Owerri following decision of the League Management Company (LMC) which relegated the club to a lower division.

Media Officer of the club, Cajetan Nkwopara, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone that the meeting was in connection with the different positions taken by the club’s management over the LMC decision.

NAN reports that Heartland Chairman Goodfaith Otuemena and other members of the management team have different views over the LMC‘s verdict which saw the club relegated to the lower division.

Nkwopara said  that the meeting with the governor was to harmonise  position and think of the next line of action on the matter.

He said that the outcome of the meeting would be communicated to the media once a position was taken.

The LMC after a review of reports and video of the week 38 match against Plateau United said Heartland breached the rule for abandoning the match following a dispute with the referee’s call.

The match played on Oct. 2 saw the club fined N3 million and a forfeiture of the three points and three goals for not continuing with the tie.

The points and goals were later awarded to Plateau United after the tie was abandoned by Heartland in the 75th minute at 1-1.

This is the first time Heartland will be relegated from the elite league to a lower division since it was formed in 1976.

The management of Plateau United which was also fined N1 million for not controlling its fans, had accepted the verdict.

United fans were caught on camera throwing objects into the field of play which led to the delay in the start of the second half, an act considered a breach of rule B13.18.

The LMC’s decision is subject to the ruling of Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. (NAN)

EMAF/MEMO

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Edited/Controlled by Mike Mbonye

NAN-H-74
Students
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Oct. 10 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Turkish Nile University (NTNU) says it is ready to offer admission with 50 per cent discount tuition fees to any Nigerian student affected by the crisis in Turkey.

Behlul Fatih-Basaran, the Director of Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) Foundation said this when a delegation from the university visited Abike Dabiri, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs.

Fatih-Basaran, who said that the NTIC was ready to help any student who was ready to study at the university, noted that NTNU had already absorbed 29 students that returned from Turkey.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that some Nigerian students at various universities in Turkey suffered persecutions ranging from arrest to deportation over alleged link with the country’s  failed coup.

The director explained that out of 54 students on different foundations scholarship in Turkey, 29 had returned to the country and were absorbed by NTNU on full scholarship.

He stressed that the remaining 25 would also enjoy scholarship with a monthly token.

He said “the 25 students offered scholarship in Turkey will still enjoy their full scholarship by the NTIC Foundation, this is separate.

“Other than that, there are other Nigerian students who are going through hardships because of the development in Turkey.

“Some of them have been moved to other universities where they face various hardships ranging from faculty difficulties and language barrier, among others.

“The students were simply forced to go back to their country; some of them were even deported and now the Nile University under the umbrella of NTIC Foundation decided to help these students.

“If they decide to accept to study at NTNU, they will have 50 per cent of their tuition fee cut.”

NAN reports that Fatih-Basaran was accompanied by NTNU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Huseyin Sert and Dr Yaqub Alhassan, a parent to one of the Nigerian students in Turkey.

Dabiri-Erewa in her remarks commended the Foundation for the gesture and pledged to monitor the offer in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

The senior special adviser said that the present administration had good policies for Nigerians both in the Diaspora and at home, especially on education.

She, therefore, appealed to parents to be wary of sending their children to volatile countries to study. (NAN)
IAA/AK/HA
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(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-HG-15
Law
By Yetunde Fatungase
Abeokuta, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Unless the mental health bill is passed into law, patients will continue to suffer from social stigma, Dr Oluseun Ogunnubi, a Consultant Psychiatrist, has said.

The medical expert made this known on Monday at a seminar organised by the Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria, Neuropsychiatric Hospital Unit, Aro, Abeokuta.

Ogunnubi spoke on “Dignity in Mental Health: Psychological and Mental First Aid’’ at the forum to commemorate the 2016 World Mental Health Day.

According to him, the bill will seek to address the issue of social discrimination against people suffering from mentally related ailments.

Ogunnubi contended that the law that operates in Nigeria is an “archaic lunacy law’’ which had been in use since the early 1980s.

He called on members of the National Assembly to pass a comprehensive mental health bill to create room for the protection of the rights of mental health patients.

“This mental health bill in Nigeria has been at the NASS since the 80s; we even refer to it as ‘orphan’ bill as no one is ready to sponsor it.

“Unless this bill is passed into law like Ghana did two years ago, mental health patients will continue to suffer this social stigma,’’ he said.

The psychiatrist pointed out that the country’s response to natural disaster is negative.

He stressed the need for government to employ the use of psychological first aid for victims of disasters in order to mitigate their traumatic condition.

The medical expert said like other patients who are suffering from various ailments, people with mental ailment should be shown empathy and not discriminated against.

He disclosed that 31 per cent of diseases affecting people in the world were mentally and psychologically related,

Ogunnubi called for more budgetary allocation from the government to support mental health challenges.

“Thousands of mentally ill people are deprived of their rights and suffer from discrimination and stigmatisation.

Another 78 per cent of Nigerians will be upset working with people with mental ailment while some won’t relate with relatives suffering from this disease.

“Even Neuropsychiatric Doctors and Nurses are not spared of this stigma,’’ he said.

Earlier, Abosede Olaifa, the Chairman of the association, said the event was organised to draw attention to mental illness and its effects on people’s lives.

She noted that the theme of this year’s World Mental Day as announced by the World Federation of Mental Health was quite timely.

“This is the time our dear country is going through an exasperating time and psychological first aid should be a component of the overall response to emergencies which should be incorporated into disaster preparedness,’’ she added. (NAN)
YAF/AOM/OJO
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(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-DS-12
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Lynchin
Abakaliki, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the murder of a man, Philip Ugwu, 60, by suspected worshipers following a land dispute in Afikpo Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr George Okafor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Monday that the incident occurred at Amebo-Ndebo village.

Okafor said that the matter was reported to the police on Sept. 30 by the wife of the deceased, Mrs Abani Ugwu, adding that one Tochukwu Okoh, an evangelist, had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said the deceased’s wife alleged that Okoh and three others attacked her husband with stones.

The officer also quoted the widow as saying that her husband who could not withstand the attack eventually became unconscious and was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

He said that his body had been deposited in a mortuary and would undergo autopsy.

The spokesperson said that the divisional police officer for the area led a team of detectives and anti-crime patrol officers to the scene and arrested the suspect.

“We are currently on the trail of other suspects and I am sure that they will soon be arrested due to the useful information at our disposal,” he said.

“We assure the public that the matter will be investigated thoroughly while the culprits will be duly prosecuted,” he said.

NAN learnt that the victim, popularly called Boxer or Coach, had argued with the worshippers in a new generation church over the erection of a fence to demarcate their lands.

“We heard Boxer’s wife screaming that her husband had been attacked by some worshippers and before we could get to the scene, he was lying unconscious.

“He was immediately rushed to the hospital but his wife identified one of the attackers still with a stone who was immediately apprehended and handed over to the police.

“The victim’s wife explained that he had purchased and built on the parcel of land even before the church came to lay claim over it,” an eyewitness who preferred anonymity said.

The witness said that the matter had previously been reported to the traditional council during which the head pastor of the church, still at large, was invited. (NAN)
RCO/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-HE-8
Workshop
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has concluded arrangements to host an inaugural Market Data Workshop in partnership with the Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Market Data Vendors (MDVs).

The NSE’s Head, Corporate Communications, Mr Olumide Orojimi, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

It said that the major aim of the workshop was to increase awareness on the critical role of market data in making sound investment decisions on both the buy and sell sides.

It said that the theme of the workshop “Understanding Market Data for Savvy Investing and Wealth Creation’’, coincided with the
third anniversary of NSE’s X-GEN, a next generation trading platform.

The statement said that the X-GEN had contributed to increasing market access, order flow and market transparency.

The Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, was quoted by the statement as saying that the delivery of market data to users was highly time-sensitive and requires specialised technologies designed to handle collection process.

“At the NSE, this effort is underpinned by our ‘next generation’ trading engine, X-Gen, which was built in collaboration with NASDAQ in 2013.

“X-Gen is not only built to trade a wide range of securities, it is this system that we rely on daily to deliver approximately 2.5GB worth of data to our various domestic and global market data consumers”, Onyema said.

Mr Ade Bajomo, NSE Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, was also quoted by the statement as saying that the conference would bring to fore the critical application of market data in making sound investment decisions.

Bajomo said that the workshop would highlight the various data products available in the Nigerian marketplace, thereby allowing investors to maximise their wealth creation opportunities.

Some of the speakers for the event include: Dr Yemi Kale – Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria; Mr Uwa Agbonile, Managing Director, Infoware Ltd.
Others are: Mr Obiora Anyichie, Global Trybe Solutions; Mr Natasha Punwani – Business Manager, Bloomberg; and MrsKemi Oluwashina – Director, ARM Securities.

Some of the expected speakers at the event scheduled for Oct. 18 are
Dr. Yemi Kale, Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria, Mr Uwa Agbonile, Inforware Ltd. Managing Director and Mr Obiora Anyichie of Global Trybe Solutions, among others. (NAN)
JNC/AJA
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

Presidency releases 2 more helicopters to NAF to cut costs
NAN-DS-11
Helicopters
By Angela Atabo
Abuja Oct.10, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday ordered the release of two Augusta AW 101, VVIP helicopters from the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The National Security Adviser (NSA),Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, who presented the helicopters to NAF, said the gesture was in fulfillment of the President’s promise to reduce the cost of the amount expended on the PAF .

Monguno said that in line with this philosophy, two aircraft, 1x AW109 helicopter and 1x King Air Beechcraft ,had earlier been released to the NAF in 2015, immediately the president took over.

He said it was given out in realisation of the need to immediately enhance the capacity of the armed forces in its campaign against insurgency.

He said that the president had also given approval for the sale of one of the 2x Falcons 7x and the Hawker 4000 aircraft operated by the fleet.

The NSA also said that a committee for the sale of both aircraft was already sitting and would soon complete its assignment.

“AW 101 is a highly versatile helicopter used in both VIP civil and military applications.

“These two helicopters handed to the NAF today have ballistic defence capabilities and are equipped with defensive aid suites against certain forms of missile attacks.

“Mr president appreciated the need to enhance the airlift capacity of NAF to strengthen the efforts of the ongoing campaign against insurgency in different parts of the country.

“This is compatible with his philosophy to reduce the cost of governance and enhance capacity of our armed forces,’’Monguno said.

Responding, the Chief of Air Staff, Avm. Sadique Abubakar, said the gesture had encouraged NAF to focus on the fight against insurgency in the North-East and militancy.

Abubakar said that the 2x Augusta Westland 101 helicopters were executive helicopters designed for the transportation of VIPs and equipped with ballistic defence capabilities and defensive aid suites.

“ Like the two aircraft earlier handed to us, we intend to reconfigure these helicopters and deploy them for tactical airlift of troops and logistics in support of combat operations.

“Incidentally, the acceptance of these helicopters and the intended reconfiguration efforts are in line with two drivers of my vision.

“These provides for robust logistics support and maintenance culture to sustain platforms /equipments service as well as reinforcement of the culture of self-reliance and prudent management of resources,’’ he said.

Abubakar thanked the president for his support to NAF, adding that the use of the helicopters would be justified.

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said that the handing over of the aircraft would augment NAF’s aircraft inventory, boost its air power capability and consolidate in the realisation of its vision.

Dan-Ali said the vision would help to reposition NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiative for effective, efficient and timely employment of power in response to security.

He expressed optimism that with the addition of the two helicopters, more accomplishments would be achieved to decisively win the war against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminalities.(NAN)
ATAB/EAL/AMY

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi and Abdullahi Yusuf

Nigerians react to crackdown on judges

NAN-H-67

Commendation

By Mohammad Bashiri/Jonathan Emmanuel

Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Mixed reactions continues to trail the crackdown of judges by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In Dutse, the residents commended the Federal Government for the crackdown on judges for alleged corruption.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the crackdown was a step in the right direction.

Malam Muhammad Ahmad, a civil servant, urged the Federal Government to maintain the tempo, adding that it would help in sensitising the entire judiciary and the country at large.

“I must commend the Federal Government for this bold step, in short, no one expected this because judiciaries think they are untouchable,” Ahmad said.

Another resident, who gave his name as Rufa’i Hamza, said the action was a pointer that the present administration was serious about its fight against corruption.

“We are very happy to witness this in our lifetime, this shows that government is serious about fighting corruption,” Hamza said.

Hamza further urged Nigerians to ignore threats by the Nigerian Bar Association and any other group, saying that “they are trying to distract our attentions from supporting the government in this direction.

Hajiya Maryam Shehu, a trader, said Nigerian judges had been abusing the independence of the judiciary for long, saying that “It high time they knew that they are not above the law too”.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has really shown that it really fighting corruption with all sincerity.

“So, the crackdown on the judges is a welcome development and showed no one is above the law, including judicial workers,” Shehu said.

Shehu, therefore, urged Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe or section to support Buhari to ensure that corrupt civil servants and others were fished out and dealt with.

“If this is achieved, I swear the future of the country will be brighter,” Shehu said. (NAN

In Uyo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom has criticised the crackdown.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ini Ememobong, made the party’s position known in a press conference in Uyo on Monday.

Ememobong described as shameful the flagrant display of military action in a democratic dispensation.

According to him, the invasion of the judges houses can be further described as ‘burglary and kidnapping’ of these persons by the DSS.

He said that if Nigerians and professional bodies did not rise up to defend democracy and left judiciary undefended, democracy would be threatened to its roots.

“The president should know that this country is ruled by law and as
Nigerians; we will defend those laws and democracy with all we have.

“If there were reasonable suspicions the law created the National Judiciary Council (NJC) and gives them the responsibility to discipline judges.

“Recently, the Chief Judge of Enugu state was disciplined without the intervention of anybody and therefore the act of burgling into their homes and kidnapping them is totally condemned.

“Every security agency is established by law, the law sets out the
level to which they can act.

“The law establishing the DSS says they shall be concern with the detection and prevention of crimes that relate to internal security, not fraud, not bribery and corruption which they are envisaging,” he said.

He alleged that this action by the DSS might not be unconnected with the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government plans to intimidate judges.

He called on Nigerians to support the judiciary, adding that the judiciary would come out of this stronger and firmer and would do justice according to the law. (NAN)

MNB/IE/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha