Blog

NAN-H-25
FAAN
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has intensified efforts toward finding a lasting solution to the incessant power outages at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Yakubu Dati, said the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, made the assertion in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.

The statement said the Dunoma gave the assurance during an inspection visit by Mr Raymond Chan, the Caterpillar Vice-President for Asia, Pacific, CIS, Africa and Middle East Distribution Division.

It said Dunoma, represented by the Director of Maintenance and Engineering, Mr Femi Ogunode, assured airport users, airlines and stakeholders that the era of power cuts at the airport would soon be over.

The statement noted that the visit by Caterpillar, the original manufacturer of the six generators at FAAN Power House, was part of the management’s response to find lasting solution to the series of power outages.

According to the statement, in the event of any power failure, FAAN has these generators as backups to power the terminal.

It said that as part of the long lasting solution to the power outage, the agency had re-routed most of its cables that passed through the construction site to prevent recurrence.

It disclosed that FAAN had six standby generators capable of generating 24 megawatts, adding that the generators would act as backup system in the event of any power cut from the main source.

The statement added that Chan expressed satisfaction with the current condition of the FAAN power house, noting that the generating sets were expensive but very efficient.

“I am very proud together with the dealers, MANTRAC, that we have the opportunity to provide our service to Nigeria, especially for very important infrastructure, providing critical standby power to airport,’’ it quoted Chan as saying.

NAN reports that power outages at the international terminal of the Lagos Airport had been a source of worry to FAAN following the several disruptions and discomforts it had caused airport users. (NAN)
ASO/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-6

Pilgrims

Yola, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Adamawa Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has introduced a training programme on agriculture  in Jerusalem for its pilgrims .

Bishop Jinga Mayo, Executive Secretary of the Board, stated this in Yola on Sunday while delivering a lecture titled “Touch a Heart”, organized by the board to encourage sponsorship of pilgrims to Jerusalem.

Mayo said that the  programme would ensure that between 50 to 100 pilgrims from the state benefited from agricultural training while in Israel.

He said that those trained would, on their return to Nigeria, serve as facilitators in training others in their communities.

The secretary urged rich Christians to support the pilgrimage by not only performing it, but also sponsoring others.

He lauded the support and cooperation given to the board by the state government and urged intending Christian pilgrims to reciprocate by praying for peace and prosperity of the state and nation in general while in the Holy land.

In his message at the occasion, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa commended the board for its effort in encouraging self-sponsorship.

“Today is remarkable in the history of the State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board for organizing this wonderful programme.

“I am glad seeing these category of personalities that responded to the call by the management of the board towards private sponsorship which is gratifying,” he said.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Education, Dr Kaletapwa Farauta, also lauded the infrastructural transformation going on at the office of the board, initiated by its executive secretary.

In their respective remarks at the occasion, chairman of the board, Bishop Amos Yakubu and the National President of Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Mr David Kadzai, lauded Adamawa government for it commitment to transforming the state in spite of the daunting challenges.

They called for unity among the diverse people of the state to facilitate the effort of government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the occasion included the presentation of Identity Cards to Christian Liaison officers (CLOs) and inauguration of the state Pilgrims Ambassadors. (NAN)
YMU/ASH/ASH

NAN-H-27
Commendation
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has commended the publisher of Tozali Magazine, Maimuna Abubakar, for organising the ‘Tozali People’s Award’ and for recognising distinguished Nigerians.

Dogara gave the commendation during his opening remarks in Abuja at the “2016 Tozali Magazine People’s Award.”

He appreciated the organisers for bringing out distinguished personalities to be honoured.

The Speaker explained why he accepted to chair the occasion, saying “I accepted to chair this occasion because it is in our place to support entrepreneuship; if we have thousands of entrepreneurs doing businesses, imagine how many of our brothers and sisters will be employed.

“Secondly, I was told that this will touch the area of charity to the Internally Displaced People in the North Eastern part of the country.”

Dogara then congratulated the Governor of Adamawa, Alhaji Bindo Jibrilla “for the great work you are doing for the people of your state.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s edition of the Tozali Magazine People’s Award, the fourth in the series is “Creativity and Philanthropy.”

Tozali, which literally means “the eye liner” in Hausa, is a magazine that showcases events, activities, issues, people, places, fashion and style and other contemporary issues. (NAN)
CMY/HA
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NAN-H-21
Release
By Tukur Masanawa
Kano, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The authorities of Bayero University, Kano, have confirmed the release of its lecturer, Mr Saminu Aliyu-Kiri, who was kidnapped in Kaduna State on Thursday night.

The Director, Public Affairs of the University, Malam Ahmed Shehu, confirmed the release of the abducted lecturer in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

Shehu said the lecturer, who regained his freedom on Oct. 7, had since been reunited with his family in Kano.

“As I am talking to you now, the lecturer has regained his freedom since Friday, Oct. 7, and reunited with his family,” he said.

Shehu, who, did not state whether ramson was paid before the release, said it was by the miracle of God that the lecturer regained his freedom.

NAN recalls that Aliyu-Kiri of Faculty of Computer Science of the university, was kidnapped along with two other persons in Kaduna State while he was returning from an official assignment in Shaki, Oyo State.(NAN).
MTM/AMY

Edited by Abdullah Yusuf

NAN-ND-4

Hotels

Asaba, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) The current economic recession in the country has forced some hotel operators in Asaba to slash their tariffs by between 35 per cent  and 39 per cent  to attract customers and remain in business.

Some of the operators told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday that the tariff cut followed decline in patronage experienced by hotels in recent months.

One of the operators, Mr Clement Odeiga, General Manager of Nelrose Hotels, said patronage had dropped significantly in the last six months, as such the only way to remain in business, was to reduce charges.

“Following the current economic situation in the country, we decided to reduce our rates to reasonable amount, just to attract more customers.

“ For instance, we have reduced the rates for our super executive room from N40,000 to N25,000, while our standard room now goes for N15,000 as against N25,000,’’ he said.

Odeiga said the hotel management had also introduced some new services to attract more customers.

Mr Kingsly Osakwe, a staff of Emerald Hotel, also complained of low patronage in recent months and adding that the hotel slashed its tariffs to attract more patronage.

“The charge for our standard room per  night is now N14 000 as against N23, 500,” he said.

Osakwe commended the Delta Government for its laudable programmes and called for the development of the tourism sector in the state.

He noted that if tourism was developed in the state, it would boost the economy.

Meanwhile, a businessman in Asaba, Mr Philip Edeh, has commended the Asaba hotel operators for scaling down their charges, urging them to also improve on their services and ensure clean environment. (NAN)

MOA/EMO/ASH

NAN-H-20
Pilgrims
By Tukur Masanawa
Kano, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) Max Air Ltd. said it had completed transportation of its pilgrims back to Nigeria after the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The Airline’s Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Ibrahim Dahiru, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

Dahiru said the last flight with about 500 Kano State pilgrims and officials would leave the King Abdul’Aziz International Airport Jeddah this Sunday by 2 p.m. Nigerian time for Kano.

“We are now at the King Abdul’Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, and any moment from now, the aircraft will take off.

“With this flight, we have completed the transportation of our pilgrims who performed the 2016 Hajj back home,”he said.

The public relations manager said all the pilgrims that had earlier returned home had collected their luggage on arrival, pointing out that no pilgrims’ luggage would be left in the Holy land.

“No single luggage of pilgrims will be left behind as all pilgrims who returned earlier have collected their luggage,” the spokesman said.

He commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and all State Pilgrims Welfare Boards for their support and cooperation to the Airline during the operation.

NAN recalls that no fewer than 30,112 pilgrims were allocated to the airline for transportation to Saudi Arabia for the 2016 Hajj. (NAN).
MTM/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-ND-1

Medical

Nathan Nwakamma

Otuoke (Bayelsa) Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) Dr Numbere Preye, Head, Clinical Services, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, said on Sunday that the hospital had commenced free medical services to 120 indigent patients in the state.

Preye, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Otueke, Bayelsa, said the gesture was under the hospital’s Rapid Result Initiative Programme.

He said that under the programme, 70 males, including adults and children, as well as women with fibroids cases would be offered free service, mostly surgery.

He also said that 50 other patients with refractive errors would have their sight deficiencies corrected, adding that all the 30 surgeries so far performed, were successful.

According to him, the programme is being funded by the Federal Ministry Health Ministry, adding that the 120 patients had been screened to ensure that only the less privileged with medical conditions in the area benefited.

He regretted that all indigent patients in the hospital’s area of coverage could not be accommodated in the programme but promised that management would  consider the possibility of assisting more patients.

“The response from the screening exercise was overwhelming; I can say that about thrice the number we selected were qualified but all could not benefit due to the limited number approved for us.

“But we shall table the request by those not covered before the hospital’s management to see how we can further assist more people within our limit.

“There is so much need for medical services, especially in the rural areas. Today alone, I have performed eight surgeries and many patients are still waiting for their turn,” he said. (NAN)

NN/EMO/ASH

Economy: Don advises FG against IMF interest free loans
NAN-H- 15
Economy
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) A financial expert, Prof Uche Uwaleke, has advised the Federal Government against consenting to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) offer of an interest free loan for the purpose of tackling concession.

Uwaleke, the Head of Banking and Finance, Nassarawa State University, Keffi ,said this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

“I will not advise the government to go for an IMF facility as an option to exit the recession no matter how soft the loan is for obvious reasons.

“First, the Fund is not known for granting concessional loans and there are usually strings attached with strict conditionalities.

“Also, unlike loans from the World Bank described as concessional, given their low interest rates and long tenor, loans from IMF have very short tenor and hardly address Balance of Payment problems.

“The country is advised to consider all the terms of the loan which may include subsidy withdrawals and reforms in the forex market, the later a euphemism for devaluing the domestic currency.

“Clearly, such loans are not for capital projects.

“The truth is that there is more to it than interest free loan and I strongly feel that the country can do without this Greek offer from the IMF’’ he said.

According to Uwaleke, what the country needs are project tied loans that can be applied to employment generating activities such as Infrastructure, power, agriculture among others.

The don explained that the country did not need short term loans geared towards facilitating import of items which could be produced locally.

He said that further addition to the stock of external debt should be from long term sources such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank(AfDB).

He said that other bilateral concessional sources that should be considered include the China EXIM Bank and the Japan International Development Agency.

He said,“during her last visit to Nigeria, the Managing Director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, said the country does not require an IMF loan.

“So, one wonders why the change in stance only some months after. Nigeria is well advised not to fall for the bait by not accepting the offer.

“The country’s experience with the Fund during the SAP era of the Babangida administration is sufficient reason not to touch any loan from the IMF even with a long pole.

NAN recalled that the IMF Managing Director at the ongoing IMF/World Bank 2016 General Meeting, said it had introduced zero interest rates on all its concessional facilities until 2018.

The theme of the meeting is: “We can end poverty together, global problem and global solutions’’.

Lagarde, said that after the duration (2018), IMF would maintain low interest rates around the world.

According to Lagarde, ”If we want to address the inequality issues, we need to have a strong international safety net.

“In this context, I am pleased to note that our board has approved zero interest rates on all fund concessional facilities until 2018.

“This is really important for low-income countries to be able to actually absorb the shocks without necessarily going to the international markets or relying on bilateral lending that can be far expensive,’’ she said.(NAN)
LCN/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-HG-2
Treatment
Shuaibu Tatu/Yusuf Awalu
Birnin Kebbi,Oct. 9, 2016 (NAN) A Saudi Arabian-based NGO called Al-basar International Foundation has commenced free eye surgery
on patients suffering from different eye diseases in Kebbi.

The Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Muhammad Kende, who addressed hundreds of patients at the premises of the
state-owned Hafsat Eye Centre in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, said the exercise was in collaboration with the state government.

He said the state government targeted 5,000 patients for the treatment.

Kende added that the NGO was based in Saudi Arabia but has branches in some Nigerian states including Kano and Lagos states.

He said that treatment was free as the Foundation and the ministry had arranged accommodation and other necessary logistics for patients, stressing that the ministry had engaged in aggressive enlightenment and mobilisation of patients for the free treatment.

He noted that “we would not allow our people to miss this golden opportunity.

“Traditional and religious leaders have also been actively involved in the campaigned, which cut across the 21 local government areas of the
state, and neighbouring states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger.

“We use radio and television for the enlightenment, as patients from neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin Republics are also here to benefit
as no valid identification or insurance cover is required for the treatment.”

One of patients, Malam Ibrahim Dogo, who hailed from Zuru Local Government Area of the state commended the state government for the initiative and called on people suffering from eye diseases to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Hajiya Kulu Musa, who was suffering from glaucoma, also commended the state government and the Saudi Arabian organisation and prayed that God would reward them abundantly.

Meanwhile, a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent observed that food and clothes were distributed to the patients to make them
comfortable for the treatment. (NAN)
SZT/BKD/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-4
IDPs
By Ali Inuwa
Maiduguri, Oct. 9, 2016(NAN) The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Sunday launched skills acquisition training for 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno as part of its empowerment programme for victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The UNHCR Country Representative, Ms Angele Atangana, opened the training at a ceremony in Maiduguri.

Atangana, who doubled at the UNHCR Representative at the Economic Commission for the West African States (ECOWAS), said that the programme
was targeted at IDPs residing in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

She said that the objective was to impact skills on the beneficiaries so they could be self reliant when they return home.

She commended the trainees zeal to learn and urged them to remain focus for the duration of the programme.

The UNHCR official also commended the state government for its effort toward successful take off of the training.

She added that “I am really impressed with what I have seen here today.

“I am particularly happy with the large turnout of participates at the training and I want to encourage you to pay attention to your instructors throughout the training.”

The Coordinator of the programme, Malam Idris Alooma, said that the training was in collaboration with the Borno and the Federal Government toward preparing the IDPs for their eventual return to their homes following the liberation of commodities by the military from the Boko Haram terrorists.

He said “the programme is a joint collaboration by the UNHCR, the Borno and the Federal Government toward reintegrating IDPs back to the communities.

“This is a pilot project which will last for only two weeks at the end of which the beneficiaries will have learned a skill.”

Alooma said that the beneficiaries would be trained in capentary, iron bending, tailoring, bead making, shoe making, bag making or any other skill.

“Each of the trainees will be given a daily transport allowance for the duration of the training.

“At the end of the programme, a take off capital will also be granted to those who complete their training successfully to enable them to set up their own businesses.” (NAN)
ABI/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)