Blog

NAN-ELS-2

Culture

By Collins Yakubu-hammer

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has assured German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Bernard Schlagheck of effective cultural collaboration between Nigeria and Germany.

The minister gave the assurance when Schlagheck paid him a courtesy visit on Friday in Abuja.

“There is need for us to have quality preservation of our cultures through movies.

“The `Berlin Film Festival’ is coming up in February, 2017; what will form highlight of the festival is the showcasing of a Nigerian movie `Shehu Umar.’

“There is also the need to walk the talk about Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); generally, MoU should go beyond signing into making it work.

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

The Information Minister also called on the German Ambassador to assist the country in exhibiting its cultural artifacts.

According to him, Frankfort University has in the past donated some stands for the exhibition of artifacts.

Mohammed also assured Schlegheck that he would liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see how to assist.

“However, there is need for a holistic understanding of what we are doing.’’

Speaking earlier, Schlagheck said that Nigeria had a rich cultural heritage and called for their preservation through the film industry.

He also explained that Nigeria and Germany had a long standing bilateral relationship for over 40 years.

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

“The German Government is ever ready to preserve Nigeria’s culture 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 National Council for Museums and Monuments to enhance cultural collaboration.

“We would 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,’’ Schleghecck said.

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

It is held annually in Berlin, Germany.

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.

Up to 400 films are shown in several sections, representing a comprehensive array of the cinematic world; around twenty films compete for the awards called the Golden and Silver Bears. (NAN)

CMY/EEE

========

Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-14
Education
Dutse, Oct 7, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Government says it has spent about N700 million to pay for 2016 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fees for all indigenous students in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Rabi Ishaq, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.
Ishaq said that the money was used to pay registration fees to the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and National Business Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).
She said that the gesture was to expand access to education and ensure that poverty did not hinder indigent ones from completing their education.
The Commissioner said that the state government had approved the establishment of five remedial colleges to cater for students who did not do well in SSCE examination.
According to her, there is also a plan to establish 27 remedial centres in all the local government areas in the state.
She said that the centres would be established for those that did not have up to five credits in their SSCE examination, to prepare them for subsequent examination.
Ishaq said that entrepreneurship skills would be introduced in such centres to enable those who could not pass their examinations to acquire skills and become self-reliant.
She said that the government had also concluded plans to establish nine more science and technical schools across the state. (NAN)
MS/MO/SOA

=============

Edited by Morayo Omolade, controlled by Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-36
Sentence
By Olawale Akinremi
Ibadan, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Friday sentenced a banker, Ademola Adedapo, to 10 years imprisonment for conspiring with others to defraud the CBN of N8 billion.

Abdulmaleek convicted Adedapo based on the evidence before her and the plea bargain agreement he entered into with the Economic and Financial Crimes’ Commission (EFCC).

The judge, who stated that she adopted the plea bargain agreement entered into between Adedapo and the EFCC, found the convict guilty of the five-count charge bordering on conspiracy.

“Adedapo is hereby sentenced to two years in prison for each of the offence of conspiracy and the sentence commences from Feb. 7, 2015.

“The property mentioned in the plea bargain as stated therein which include hectres of land, car, building and over N44 million found in his account will all be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“His International Passport shall be seized until he completes his jail terms  and the jail terms are to run concurrently,” Abdulmaleek said.

The defence counsel, Y.A.H. Ruba, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Earlier, the defence counsel of all the other accused persons in the suit had in their separate objections to the plea bargain process lamented the prejudice the agreement may have on their clients.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict was standing trial along others who did not enter into plea bargain.

They also pleaded not guilty and their trial would continue.

The other accused persons are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola, Togun Philip and Afolabi Victor .

NAN recalls that the convict and other accused persons had since 2015 been standing trial on multiple charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and recirculation of currencies totalling N8 billion.

The offences were said to have been committed at the Ibadan branch of the CBN. (NAN)
SEM/OJO
========
(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Court admits accused to N1m bail for alleged possession of firearms
NAN-H-40
Bail
By Thompson Yamput
Jos, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Friday granted bail to Rwang Adams, in the sum of one million for alleged unlawful possession of an AK47 rifle and 14 rounds of 7.52mm live ammunition.

The judge, Justice Dorcas Agishi, ordered that Adams to produce two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must have landed property in Jos with documents to be deposited with the court.

Adams, who was arraigned on a two-count charge, had pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Edwin Ocheyi, had told the court that the accused was arrested in possession of firearms on April 17 at Kuru in Jos South Local Government of Plateau by security agencies on petrol.

He said the offence contravened Section 27 (1b) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.

Ocheyi had opposed the bail by counsel to the accused, Mr Yakubu Shelleng, who submitted that the offence was bailable and that Adams had been in detention since his arrest in April.

He expressed the fear that the accused if released on bail might tamper with investigations of the case.

The case has been adjourned till Nov. 15 for definite trial. (NAN)
TYC/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

South Africa’s finance minister’s probe must not scare investors: deputy president

NAN-F-4
Probe
Singapore, Oct. 7, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) An investigation into South Africa’s Finance Minister must take its course but needs to avoid rattling investors, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday.

Ramaphosa made this known amid speculation of a power struggle in the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

An elite police unit is investigating Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan over a so-called “rogue spy” unit at the tax agency, set up when he was at its helm.

Some analysts said that President Jacob Zuma’s allies are driving the probe in a bid to oust Gordhan, which the president denied.

According to the report, the affair has rocked markets in the country.

The ANC suffered its worst-ever local election results last month, widening rifts in the ruling party that analysts blame on a conflict between Zuma and Gordhan.

Three weeks ago, Zuma and Gordhan sat side-by-side in a show of solidarity after weeks of speculation that the pair was locked in a bitter power struggle.

Ramaphosa said that while “nobody is above the law”, the way the situation has been handled by state institutions was a cause for “concern”.

“Nothing must be done to cause problems or difficulties in state institutions such as the treasury and also cause an imbalance on our economic future,” Ramaphosa said. (Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/ Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-38
Centre
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), plans to build specialised centre where patients with infectious diseases in the territory will be quarantined and given adequate treatment.

Alhaji Hamzat Bello, Chief Press Secretary to the minister, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

The statement said the minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made the announcement when members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT chapter, led by its chairman, Dr Chiedozie Achonwa visited him.

Bello said that the establishment of such centre was in the front burner of his administration because of the benefits it would bring to the residents.

He expressed surprise that patients suspected to be infected with Lassa fever recently were initially kept at the National Hospital; a situation he described as `unfortunate.’

“I have discussed with some of your colleagues on the need to have a specialised centre for infectious diseases,’’ the statement quoted the minister as saying.

He said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was partnering with private individuals to establish new hospitals within the FCT to address the challenge of hospital bed spaces noticed in the territory.

The minister said that the collaboration of stakeholders was needed to address the challenge as government alone could not address it.

“For a long time, the issue of inadequate hospital bed spaces in the FCT has been something of great concern to me, based on the briefing I got when I assumed office.

“Since then, we have encouraged private individuals that want to set up hospitals to come over and do it because government alone will not be able to bridge this huge gap,” he said.

The minister said he was impressed that some private individuals were already embarking on hospital projects to address the situation.

The statement said that the NMA FCT chairman told the minister that the association intends to resuscitate its existing rural health programme to serve rural dwellers and contribute to the sustainable goals of the territory.

He assured the minister of the cooperation of the association, but stressed the need for increased health infrastructure in the FCT considering the daily influx of people into the territory. (NAN)

KM/EEM/AEA
==========

Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Hurricane Matthew bears down on U.S.; 283 killed in Haiti

NAN-F-4

Hurricane
Washington, Oct. 7, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Millions of Americans evacuated coastal areas of three states in the South-Eastern U.S. ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Matthew on Friday.

Hurricane Mathew is a powerful storm that ravaged the Caribbean earlier in the week, killing at least 283 in Haiti.

The governors of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have ordered people living near the coast to leave their homes and made the flow of traffic on some major highways outbound only to facilitate the exodus.

“This storm will kill you,” Florida Governor Rick Scott said at a press conference.

He called on residents along the Florida peninsula’s east coast to evacuate and advised the residents not to take chances saying “get out now.”

“As of 6 a.m., Matthew had weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph,’’ the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre said.

It was moving north-west at a speed of 22 kph, with the centre of the storm located 80 km South-East of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The eye of the storm had earlier passed over the western end of Grand Bahama Island after crossing over Free-port on a path toward the east coast of Florida.

The hurricane centre said that Matthew could cause “potentially disastrous impacts” in the south-eastern U.S.

Scott ordered millions of people along the east coast of the state to evacuate, and warned that the hurricane was likely to cause power outages that could last for days.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that about 4,500 National Guard troops had been mobilised by their governors to support evacuation efforts and help people find shelter, food and water.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest warned that the storm was likely to be the largest and most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. in a decade.

U.S. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency for much of Florida and all of South Carolina, freeing up federal resources to respond to the storm.

Matthew had killed at least 283 people in the worst affected area of Haiti, Department Sud, alone, Radio Television Caraibes reported citing local officials.

Other reports have put the death toll at well over 300.

Areas in Department Sud, in the south-west of the country, have been cut off from the rest of the country.

Houses have been destroyed, trees knocked over and streets flooded.

“The situation is catastrophic,” interim Haitian President Jocelerme Privert said.

More than 21,000 Haitians sought emergency shelter after the storm hit the impoverished Caribbean nation on Tuesday with winds of 230 kph.

An estimated 350,000 people were in need of humanitarian assistance.

“The U.S. sent military helicopters and other aid to Haiti, and UN agencies were working to provide shelter, water and food,’’ the UN said.

In the U.S., Georgia governor Nathan Deal ordered the mandatory evacuation of six coastal counties.

Elise Williams, a 28-year-old kindergarten teacher, was among those who chose to leave their homes in coastal Georgia along with her husband and 11-month-old daughter.

The family said they had made the decision to leave because they didn’t want to risk being stuck in a dangerous storm with a baby or losing power for days.

They left their home in Savannah at 6 a.m.to avoid the rush of traffic on the drive to family members inland.

A “surprising number ” some just think they can ride it out while some think it won’t be as bad as predicted, of people however were choosing to stay in the historic Georgia city, Williams said.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said that the affected area of Florida includes Kennedy Space Centre, which closed on Thursday as employees worked to clear any debris that could cause damage to infrastructure.

DisneyWorld in Orlando was to be closed through Friday, only the fourth time in its history that the amusement park has closed its gates, and the airport at Fort Lauderdale was also closed. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/ Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-9
Revenue
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct.7, 2016 (NAN) Mr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has urged the agency’s members of staff to work assiduously toward increasing its revenue generation capacity.

Dunoma, according to a statement in Lagos on Friday, gave the charge at the annual performance review meeting of the Directorate of Commercial and Business Development in Calabar.

The statement was signed by FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr Yakubu Dati.

Dunoma described the dwindling fortunes arising from the negative impact of the present economic realities as a wake-up call to respond to President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to “think outside the box’’.

He said: “There must be a major paradigm shift in our business model.

“This will provide us the opportunity to collectively carry out a forensic audit of our activities, processes and values in the pursuit of our vision to be among the best airport groups in the world.’’

Dunoma urged participants to evolve new and efficient measures to improve on non-aeronautical revenue sources while attaining best practices in the service contract with stakeholders.

“My expectation is that attention will be given to the critical areas of commercial operations targeted at the urgent optimisation of revenue performance, enhanced work processes, and substantial decline in revenue losses,’’ he said.

The statement also quoted Mr Tito Okpaise, the Acting Director of Commercial and Business Directorate, as saying that the retreat was meant to renew commitment, determination and zeal of staff to deliver beyond expectations. (NAN)
ASO/ENN/SOA
============

Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu, controlled by Oluwole Sogunle

Court strikes out FG’s forgery suit against Saraki, Ekweremadu, others
NAN-H-37
Saraki
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Friday struck out the Federal Government’s forgery charges against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu.

The Office of the  Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), which brought the charges, also withdrew the charges against the former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

In his ruling on a motion filed by the prosecution team, Justice Yusuf Haliru, held that the court struck out the charges against the defendants on request of the prosecution team.

“I have heard the application presented by the Mr Aliyu Umar (SAN), the Prosecuting counsel, asking for the withdrawal of  forgery charges against these four defendants.

“I have also listened to the positions of the counsel to the defendants and to the effect that objections were not raised.

“The court, therefore, has no option but to grant the prayer sought. The initial charges and the amended charges are hereby struck out, the four defendants are hereby discharged,’’ Haliru held.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel had while presenting the application, said it had become imperative to withdraw the charges in order to avoid a “flagrant’’ abuse of court process.

Umar submitted that the prosecution had come to the realisation that a similar matter was pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“This administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the hierarchy of the judiciary.

“We have discovered that pushing with this case will amount allowing two courts with coordinate jurisdiction to entertain a matter with similar issues that will bring about conflicting decisions.

“I, therefore, urge the court to in view of the above fact strike out the amended charge filed on Oct.5 and the original charge filed June 10,’’ Umar said.

NAN reports that the four were charged with allegations that they altered the Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015 election of principal officers. (NAN)
OMO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NDLEA seizes N10.7 bn illicit drugs, arrests 7 suspects in Edo

NAN-DS-3
Drugs

By Deborah Ogedemgbe
Benin, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated illicit drugs valued at over N10.7 billion in Benin.

The State Commander of the Agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Benin, that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the siezure.

Wakawa, who gave a run down of the command’s achievements during the third quarter of 2016, said the seven suspects were arrested with 34.2 Kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.

He described Methamphetamine as more dangerous and harmful than cocaine, adding that it was not commonly known to ordinary people on the street.

According to him, the confiscated drug has a street value of about 700,000 dollars per kilogramme, which translates to 23.9 million dollars for the 34.2 kg confiscated.

The commander also put the estimated value of the siezed drug at about N10.7 billion.

He disclosed that the suspects, who concealed the substance in 102 cartons of HP computer printer cartridges, were arrested on Sept. 24, on Lagos- Benin-Asaba Expressway.

Wakawa disclosed that the command also arrested 69 other suspects during the period under review for alleged drug trafficking.

He said that nine out of the 69 suspected drug traffickers were women, adding that two had been charged to court.

Wakama said that the total narcotic confisticated during the period weigh up to 2, 156.1 Kilogrammes.

He listed the drugs to include 1, 911 kilogrammess of Indian hemp, 34.2 Kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, 3.5 gramms of cocaine, 129 kilogrammes of Tramadol and 82 kilogrammess of Diazepam.

The NDLEA commander added that 11.514 hectares of carnabbis sativa were destroyed during the period under review and five vehicles impounded.

According to him, the command currently has 162 pending cases in various courts in the state and had couselled 32 drug addicts. (NAN)
DCO/KOO/MZA
=========
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed