Blog

NAN-H-57
Meeting
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Oct. 07, 2016 (NAN) Stakeholders in the lubricating oils industry on Friday converged in Ilorin to chart a way of ending illegal production and circulation of the petroleum product.
Mr Philip Salvation, Operation Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kwara, said the forum was convened to address proliferation and influx of illegal products in the industry.
He said that the meeting would provide concrete input towards actualising affirmative action that would give the best in the industry.
Salvation decried the flooding of off-specification lubricating oil in the market, adding that the DPR apprehended some illegal manufacturers last week in the state.
He said the DPR would provide licenses to any genuine lubricants manufacturer in order to ensure sanity in the sector.
Salvation said that most of the road-side lubricating oil sellers sold adulterated, substandard and fake lubricants without the knowledge of the public.
“We want to make sure that the threat to the survival of those licensed to operate as blenders is turned to opportunity.
“As the regulator of oil and gas, we are looking for a way to address illegal manufacturing of lubricants,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the DPR boss as saying.
The DPR boss, however, sought for an inter-agencies collaboration to have a robust lubricant industry in the state.
Participants at the session urged the DPR and other stakeholders to embark on massive enlightenment campaign against illicit production and distribution of the illegal product.
Mr Taiye Williams, the Managing Director of LUBCON, urged the DPR to issue certification number to each product of a lubricant company as done by NAFDAC to pharmaceutical products.
Williams also asked the DPR to equip itself with necessary equipment that would differentiate the original and off-specification lubricants.
He also advised the regulator to embark on a periodic raiding of wholesale outlets to serve as a check to their activities.
Mr Babalola Muideen of Ejide Energy called on the regulator to issue licenses to potential distributors of lubricants.
Muideen also urged the manufacturers to sell only to the accredited sales outlets.
According to him, 60 per cent of blending plants have closed down in Lagos as a result of illegal operation in the sub-sector.
NAN reports that participants also stressed the need for the regulatory agency to adequately sensitise the public on the evil of using base oil for automobile as against packaged lubricants. (NAN)
AUO/IS/WOJ
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(Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-23B
Mandate
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Edo, on Friday said God told him to recover his mandate.

Ize-Iyamu said this in Benin while addressing some protesters.

He alleged that INEC robbed him and his party the PDP when it announced Mr Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the state governorship election.
He said that the alleged robbery of the Edo peoples mandate would not stand, adding that he had been seeking God’s intervention in the past few days.

Ize-Iyamu said his supporters had refused to be violent despite the alleged fake result announced by INEC.

He said that it was lamentable that those who were given the victory by INEC were ashamed of celebrating the victory.
The state PDP Chairman, Mr Dan Orbih, said the party was going to put everything in place to defend democracy.
Orbih appealed to protesters to keep the peace while embarking on the street protests, adding that the will of the people must prevail. (NAN)
AJOM/ORO/TA

Edited by Razak Owolabi/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

ICT expert urges stakeholders to purchase locally-made software
NAN-H-56
Software
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Oct 7, 2016 (NAN) Mr Innocent Nwume,an Information Communication Technology(ICT) expert, has appealed to stakeholders to  purchase locally-made software in order to boost the reviving of the  country’s economy.

Nwume, who is  the Chief Executive Officer of Numeric Technologies Limited, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that  locally-made software were good enough to compete globally.

He also said that  the Federal Government should introduce policies that would encourage production of affordable  software.
“Nigeria can also develop locally-made software; it requires consistent policy to enable our Nigerians and local computer companies produce them.
According to him, there are many local  technology companies  that needed consistent government  support  that will enable them to produce and supply ICT software for local and international consumers. “At Numeric Technologies, we develop all our own applications for the local industry as well as for some industries outside the country,’’ he said. AKA/OSA/OU

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Obike Ukoh

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Oslo, Oct. 7, 2016 (Xinhua/ NAN) Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has won the 2016  Nobel Peace Prize for his resolute efforts to bring his country’s five-decade-long civil war to an end, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.

“The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian people, who … have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process,” Kaci Kullmann Five , Chairperson of the five-member committee, said in her announcement.

Santos initiated the negotiations that culminated in a peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest rebel group. But the peace agreement was narrowly rejected in a referendum on Sunday.

“The fact that a majority of the voters said no to the peace accord does not necessarily mean that the peace process is dead. The referendum was not a vote for or against peace. What the ‘No’ side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a specific peace agreement,” Five said.

There are 376 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2016, out of which 228 are individuals and 148 are organisations.

This is by far the highest number of candidates ever. The previous record, 278 candidates, was set in 2014.  (Xinhua/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

NAN-H-55
Dog
By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti), Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) Mr Yomi Olumomi, a veterinarian, has cautioned those who eat dog to avoid those infected with rabies.

Olumomi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Ikole, Ekiti State, on Friday, said a dog infected with rabies was not hygienic to be consumed by human beings.

“It is not an offence for someone to eat whatever kind of meat he or she desires but such individual should mind what enters his or her mouth.

“Rabies-infected dog is hazardous for human consumption and dog owners should not kill or sell for consumption when their dogs show signs of rabies”, he advised.

The veterinarian implored owners of dog, cat and other pets to have their animals vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.

He urged victims of dog bite not to delay in seeking medical attention, adding that delay in the treatment of dog bite especially by rabies-infected dogs could lead to unpleasant occurrence.

NAN reports that consumption of dog is becoming popular among Ekiti people, as sales are booming across the state.

Sellers now move from street to street with containers of fried dog in Ikole, Oye, Itapa, Ayedun, among others.

A piece of the meat sells for between N50 and N100, depending on parts, as liver and intestines cost more than the flesh. (NAN)

DAK/ORO/IEA
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Editor: Razak Owolabi

Controller: Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-54

NLC
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Oct. 07, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Labour Congress (NAN) on Friday staged a protest in Abuja, demanding a decent work environment for workers across the country in line with international best practices.

President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, led the protest which was also to mark the 2016 World Day for Decent Work and has the sub-theme “End corporate greed’’.

At the rally, Wabba decried the incessant delay in the payment of workers’ salaries, adding that the condition of workers in the country was nothing to write home about.

He lamented the fact that salaries were not being paid as at when due, while some states and corporate organisations owed their employees more than 12 months in arrears of salaries.

“Nigerian workers are worthy of their wages. They must continue to earn their wages and we must collectively end corporate greed as people now steal in billions and not millions,” the NLC president said.

He said “it is only in Nigeria that workers pay tax while the elites evade tax without any consequence from the government.

“Why should only workers pay tax? Every citizen must pay tax and, until we end corporate greed, there will always be the gap between the poor and the rich”.

He however reiterated NLC’s demand for  an upward review in  wages, stating that Nigerians workers are  now groaning as a bag of rice now sells for N20,000.

Wabba said it is important that workers in the country work in dignity.

The NLC president said the N18,000 minimum wage  was no longer enough to take care of the workers, insisting that the Nigerian leaders were grossly mismanaging the nation’s wealth.

“The gains the country made in the past are being eroded. Poverty is on the increase, while families can no longer meet their needs.’’

Wabba added that for the country’s economy to be diversified to meet present-day needs, there was the need for better infrastructure.

He said power generation would play a significant role in diversifying the country’s economy.

“If we continue to neglect the importance of power generation, the quest for development and growth will remain a mirage,” he said.

Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson, NLC General Secretary, condemned the act of enslaving workers by most organisations in the country.

He called for an end to casualisation of workers, adding that the Nigerian youth must be given decent work.(NAN)

(Edited by David Onilede and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

Board releases 2015/2016 SAISSCE results

NAN-H-32

Result

By Mohammed Lawal

Zaria (Kaduna State), Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), on Friday released the 2015/2016 Senior Arabic and Islamic Studies School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE) results.

Acting Registrar of the board, Prof. Shafi’u Abdullahi said in Zaria that the overall students performance stood at over 65 per cent in the core subjects of Arabic, Islamic Studies, Mathematics and English language.

He however said that the result of five states had been withheld due to non payment of registration fees.

Abdullahi identified the affected states as Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

According to him, 41,166 candidates from 23 states including the FCT sat for the examination in 497 centres across the country.

He said the best overall students in the core subjects include; Hussaina Lawal, and Musa Mahmud Adam from Katsina State, Rabi’u Sa’idu Kura Adamu from the FCT and A’isha Abdullahi from Kano state.(NAN)

KLM/KOLE/MZA

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Edited by Remi Koleoso and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-23
Workers
By Muhammad Nasir Bello/Hauwa Mohd Gold
Sokoto, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, has called on Nigerian workers to do everything humanly possible to get Nigeria out of its current predicament.

Wabba made the call on Friday in Sokoto in a message to the 2016 World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) rally.

The message was read on his behalf by the state Chairman of NLC, Mr Aminu Umar.
“Since 2008, October 7 has been observed as a day the trade unions and the world over mobilise workers to reinvigorate the cause of decent work agenda.
“For the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Decent Work Agenda is a balanced and integrated programmatic approach to pursue the objectives of full and productive employment.
“For us at NLC, this year’s WDDW is an opportunity to encourage our members who are at the wrong end of the shortsighted trajectories
”That the political and elite class in Nigeria seeks to chart the way out of the harsh economic down turn in the country.
“We therefore affirm that no matter what, decent work must be at centre of government actions to bring back economic growth to our country.”
The NLC Chairman also said that the condition of the Nigerian workers was of paramount concern to the union, lamenting that some state governments were even yet to implement the N18, 000 national minimum wage.

He urged workers to always be concerned about corruption in Nigeria since “we are part and parcel of the corrupt society.”

Umar called on the workers to support the ” Change begins with Me” programme of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He urged governments at all levels to utilise available resources well as way of motivating workers to succeed in developing the country. (NAN)
MNB/MKH/TA
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Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

Planet 50-50 gender equality achievable in Nigeria – NGO

NAN-HG-11

Gender

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) Ms Inimfon Etuk, Founder, `SHE Forum Africa’, a pan-African NGO, says Planet 50-50 gender equality is achievable in Nigeria by 2030.

Etuk told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that the agenda was realisable because of the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari, national commitment and courageous advocacy.

She explained that agenda seeks to promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls to foster inclusive and quality education for all.

The `Planet 50-50 by 2030’ was the 2016 theme for International Women’s Day for Gender Equality commemorated on March 8, she said.

“We envisage a world where all women and girls have equal opportunities and rights by 2030.

“And the theme demands government around the world to make national commitments that will close the gap of gender equality.

“One of our objectives at `SHE forum Africa’ is to show case the achievements of women role models and foster a new generation of women in elective leadership positions towards achieving equality,’’ Etuk said.

She said the organisation and other stakeholders were fully involved in ensuring that the gender and equal opportunity bill that suffered a setback in March was revisited in the Senate.

Etuk lauded the Senate for graciously revisiting the bill that had scaled through the second reading.

She said the world was evolving and women must be able to revolve with the times through sharing of experiences, mentoring and empowerment.

“We cannot leave the spaces that we seek to the men or expect that the positions will come to us, we have to be prepared.

“To achieve planet 50-50 by 2030 we have to continuously mobilise, engage and groom ourselves to be found worthy to access the spaces that we so aspire towards,’’ she said.

Etuk said there was need to conquer the mindset of the populace, adding that age hold stereotypes had continued to limit the capacity of the woman to arise and aspire.

The founder said the organisation also aims at identifying deserving women while creating the platform for them to showcase their intellect and capacity.

“We are beginning to identify women that we can mobilise and rally support around because this spaces allow us to show case intellect and capacity.

“We will definitely give our support to any deserving woman, both the aspiring and the learning woman,’’ she added. (NAN)

TIM/MST/MST

Edited and controlled by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-ELS-2
Collaboration
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has assured German Democratic Republic of positive cultural collaboration with  Nigeria.

The minister gave the assurance in Abuja on Friday when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Bernard Schlagheck, paid him a courtesy visit.

“There is need for us to have quality preservation of our cultures through movies as Berlin Film Festival comes up in February.

“Nigeria will showcase one of her movies, ‘Shehu Umar’ , which will form the highlight of her participation at the festival.

“There is also the need to walk the talk about Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) generally beyond just appending signature to documents.

“There should be timeline for MoU to come into effect so as to ensure that the necessary things are achieved,’’ Mohammed said.

He also called on the German ambassador to assist the country in exhibiting Nigeria’s cultural artefacts.

Mohammed said Frankfort University had in the past donated some stands for artefacts’ exhibition.

Earlier, Schlagheck noted that Nigeria had a rich cultural heritage and called for their preservation through the film industry.

He said Nigeria and Germany had had a cultural agreement spanning 40 years.

“We want it sustained through the preservation of the culture and heritage of both countries.

“The German Government is ever ready to preserve some Nigeria cultures through epic film; we will really like the movie `Shehu Umar’ to be showcased during the 2017 Berlin Film Festival.

“The University of Frankfort is set to collaborate with the Nigerian National Council for Museums and Monuments to enhance our cultural collaboration.

“We will want the country to help in areas of unnecessary bureaucracy in terms of laws and procedures; because we need to go to our parliament to rectify MoUs,’’ Schlagheck said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Berlin International Film Festival’, also called the `Berlinale,’ is one of the world’s leading film festivals and most reputable media events.

Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978.

With around 300,000 tickets sold and 500,000 admissions, it is considered the largest publicly attended film festival worldwide based on actual attendance rates.

Around 20 films compete for the awards called the Golden and Silver Bears at the festival. (NAN)
CMY/ECN/JCE
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Chukwudi Ekezie