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Washington, Oct. 7, 2016 (Xinhua/NAN)   Local authorities in the U.S. South eastern state of Florida, has issued a mandatory evacuation order for some 1.5 million coastal residents in preparation for Hurricane Matthew, one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in almost a decade.

“This storm will kill you,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott at a press conference. “Time is running out. We don’t have much time left.”

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida, Hurricane Matthew remained a Category 3 hurricane as of Thursday morning, with maximum sustained winds as strong as 125 mph.

There is still possibility that it would evolve into Category 4 storm in approaching the east coast of Florida, said the centre.

One day before the evacuation order in Florida was issued, U.S. President Barack Obama warned that the hurricane could have a devastating effect and urged residents in affected areas to follow local governments’ orders.  (Xinhua/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Teachers
By Rukayat Adeyemi
Lagos, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State on Friday refuted allegation of deploying non-teaching staff to classrooms in some primary schools in the area.

Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi, the Sole Administrator of the LCDA, refuted the allegation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Ogunwuyi said that the allegation, being peddled by people that non-teaching staff were being deployed to classrooms in public schools in the state, was a figment of their imagination.

NAN reports that some parents have expressed concern that non-teaching staff were being deployed in classrooms in Lagos public primary schools due to shortage of teachers.
Ogunwuyi said that he overheard the rumour when he came on board as the council head.
“But when I checked, I found out that there was no shortage of teachers in primary schools in the LCDA.

“It may be difficult to ascertain the speculation because the council is not responsible for recruitment of teachers, rather the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is in charge‎.

“Besides, each time we had a meeting with ‎the head-teachers of schools in the council, the issue of shortage of teachers was never brought to our attention.

“Maybe it is because we are not in charge of recruitment of teachers that is why they did not raise it.

“The ‎council is doing its best to ensure facilities needed for teaching and learning in a conducive environment are in place,’’ he told NAN.

Ogunwuyi also said that the LCDA was ensuring that lives and properties within the council area were well protected.

According to him, security personnel and neighbourhood watch teams are always on ground 24 hours in all the public schools to protect lives and properties.

“There is no primary school you visit in this council that you will not find security personnel at the gate.

“We do not allow our students to loiter around during school hours,’’ he said.
‎
Ogunwuyi said that his council planned to strengthen security around the schools by rehabilitating the perimeter fence that collapsed due to heavy rainfall.

NAN reports that there are four primary and 10 secondary schools in the LCDA.

The Lagos State Government said it recruited 1,300 teachers early this year to boost manpower in its public primary schools.

The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on April 15 started distributing appointment letters to the newly recruited teachers. (NAN)
RUKY/AIB/TA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde, controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

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Contractors

By Taiye Edeni

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) has urged Federal Government to train local contractors to solve infrastructural decay and deficit in the country.

Mr Tope Oribuyaku, a member of the institute, said this at the ongoing 2016 Civil Engineering Conference held in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Infrastructural Decay and Deficit in Nigeria: Its Effect on National Economy”.

Oribuyaku, who was the Guest Lecturer at the conference, told NAN in an interview that if local contractors were trained, they would have a good insight on projects and be able to execute them perfectly.

“Training of local contractors is very important; when you award contracts under international financing, there is provision for training.

“But in Nigeria, there is no provision. We believe that training is not necessary; and if you don’t train a contractor, how will they perform?” he asked.

He advised that contract executing agencies should set aside an amount to train awardees to know what to do and do it right.

He further advised the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to be up and doing by reviewing its procedures.

Oribuyaku, however, said that the institution had been clamouring for road funds and a road authority which would be in charge of execution while the Ministry of Works should be responsible for policies.

“We have been clamouring for road funds and a road authority.

“The road authority will be in charge of execution; the road fund will be in charge of financing while the ministry will be in charge of policies.

“If this is done, we will work better.”

Earlier, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Otis Anyaeji, noted a decay in infrastructure in schools, health, communications and transport facilities.

He said that the country’s economy was also suffering due to infrastructure deficit in the country.

Anyaeji said that the problems of infrastructure could be addressed if people in public service at the highest level focused on service delivery.

He said that they should see public office as an opportunity to render service to the people.

Anyaeji further enjoined Nigerians to embrace honesty, integrity and a burning desire to deliver efficient service to the people.

Meanwhile, Mrs Jessica Yakwo, the Chairman, Abuja chapter of NICE, said that the theme of the conference was carefully selected based on the prevailing economic situation in the country.

She said that most of the infrastructures in the country were in despicable condition due to several factors, including inadequate maintenance culture.

According to her, these infrastructures are not only deteriorating but also suffering deficit in the area of public sector financing. (NAN)

TY/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/NKechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-23
Amputation
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Sokoto, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has declared two men wanted for allegedly amputating the hands and legs of one Shafiu Aminu Arzika in Sokoto.

The state commandant of the corps, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, made the disclosure on Friday in Sokoto in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He named the two men as Abu Alayin and Hassan Dan Asano.

He said that the incident took place around Digar Agyare area of Sokoto city on Saturday night.

Aliyu said that the victim had been referred to the Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala in Kano, for treatment.

He said that the command had commenced investigation to track the men.

“We will do everything humanly possible to track the suspects, arrest them and bring them to book,” Aliyu promised. (NAN)
AAG/DO/AEA
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Edited by David Onilede and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Malaysia says debris found in Mauritius is from missing Flight MH370

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Flight
Sydney, Oct. 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Malaysia said on Friday that a piece of plane debris discovered in Mauritius was from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared in March 2014 with 239 passengers and crew on board.

The Boeing 777 disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, sparking a two-year search has turned up few leads.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said in a statement that analysis by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had found that the debris was consistent with the trailing edge of an aircraft wing.

Two pieces of plane debris were previously confirmed as being from the missing jet.

The first was recovered from the French island of Reunion in July 2015, while the second was found on the island of Pemba, off the coast of Tanzania. ((Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/ Julius Enehikhuere)

South African student protesters demand university shutdown

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Protest

Johannesburg, Oct. 7, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South African students protesting high tuition fees have demanded that all universities be shut until the government provides free education, Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) said on Friday.

The protests have forced Wits and Cape Town universities to suspend classes twice in less than a month.

However, Wits was aiming to reopen on Oct. 10 after police earlier this week clashed with student demonstrators on the campus.

The institution said that it had no agreement from the students that the academic programme will continue on Monday.

Wits suspended a general assembly scheduled for midday Friday to thrash out differences.

The cost of university education, prohibitive for many black students, has become a symbol of the inequalities that endure in South Africa more than two decades after the end of apartheid. (Reuters/NAN)
OYE/AMY
Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

1. The Commission of Inquiry set up to look into the activities of former Governor Jonah Jang’s administration in Plateau sits.
2. Salem University, Lokoja, holds convocation ceremony.
3. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry meets with leaders of market associations.
4. NDLEA Coordinator in Taraba holds news conference in Jalingo.
5. Closing ceremony of training programme organised for unemployed youths by the Federal College of Fisheries, Maiduguri, holds.
6. Chief Imam of the Holy Mosque, Makka, visits Zamfara.
7. Kaduna State Government signs MoU with Nigeria Prisons Service on skills acquisition for inmates.
8. National Housing workshop holds in Port Harcourt.
9. NAFEST 2016 ends in Uyo,
10. Commissioner of Police, Edo Command, holds news conference in Benin.

11.The Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, speaks with newsmen on “ Living and Dying in Pain,’’ to mark World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

12. Hearing in the case of N8 billion CBN currency scam starts afresh at the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
13. The Police Command, Ogun Command, addresses newsmen on the arrest of some suspected ritualists.
14. Swearing in of Enugu State acting Chief Judge comes up in Enugu.
15. Commissioner for Education in visits Abia South Education Empowerment Centre.
16. Chief of Army Staff continues tour of Army formations in Kaduna State.
17. The 40th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church of Nigeria continues in Abuja.
18. Nigeria Labour Congress organises rally in Abuja to commemorate World Day for Decent Work.
19. The Award Night of the 13^th Abuja International Film Festival holds.
20. An NGO, Universal Learning Solutions, holds a news conference/concert in Abuja to introduce a free “Literacy App” and to promote literacy in Nigeria.
21. Super Eagles interact with the media in Abuja.
22. Veterans Football Competition kicks off with Bwari All Stars FC Vs Ex-Pros FC in Abuja.
23. Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) project facilitation workshop on second AF for North-East ends in Adamawa.

23.The FCT High Court to hear a motion filed on its jurisdiction to try President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki,  and his  Deputy, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, on allegation forgery.

24. Nigerian Communications Commission holds special day at the on-going trade fair in Abuja. (NAN)

Discipline: 51 corps members to repeat service in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger, Enugu states

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Service

Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has ordered 51 corps members under Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 to repeat their service year in four states in the country for violating various rules.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cases of indiscipline were recorded in Nasarawa, Sokoto, Niger and Enugu states.

Eleven erring corps members were affected by the disciplinary action in Nasarawa and Sokoto states, while Niger and Enugu states recorded 24 and 5 cases, respectively.

The management of the NYSC explained that the offences included failure to report for service after documentation, absenteeism and truancy at places of primary assignment.

Mrs Habiba Bappah, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Nasarawa state, made this known to newsmen in Lafia during the passing out event of the corps members.

According to Bappah, 1,936 Batch B stream 1 corps members in the state successfully passed.

She said the 11 corps members were among the 13 ordered to extend their service in various degrees for various offences they committed during their service year.

Bappah said that two others got four months extension for absconding for some months without permission.

“Eleven will repeat the service year because they did not serve for a single day.

“Some of them came to camp, did their documentation and took off. Two are for four months extension of service because they absconded for about three months,” said the coordinator.

Bappah also explained that out of the 1,936 passing out corps members, 12 were selected for honours awards in various categories, while 18 others would get commendation letters.

“They did very well in various categories like the State’s awards, Chairman’s award and State Coordinator’s award.

“We appeal to the government to always identify with those that have done well and give them automatic employment.”

On the Passing Out Parade (POP) in the state, the NYSC state coordinator explained that it was a national decision to celebrate the POP in low key.

She urged the passing out corps members to take advantage of the various skill acquisitions training they received during their service year and not wait for white collar jobs.

“I want them to keep up with the ideals of the scheme. They should make sure they keep up with the training we gave them.

“They should also be employers of labour and not wait for jobs to come to them,” Bappah said.

In Sokoto state, five corps members out of 2,112 lost their lives during their service year, according to the state coordinator of the scheme, Mr Thomas Yamma.

Yamma said in Sokoto that the death of the affected corps members was “divine’’, adding that seven corps members would repeat their service year.

He also said that 11 corps members were to repeat their complete service year, while seven had their service extended by between two and four months, for various offences.

“Happily, four corps members received state merit awards, four got chairman’s awards, while six others bagged commendation letters.

“On the whole, the corps members had exhibited high sense of commitment and diligence.

“I must also hasten to commend the management of the Service, Sokoto State Government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said.

The NYSC also extended the service year of 24 corps members in Niger for continuous absence from their places of primary assignment without permission.

The state Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Bolade Loto, made this known at the passing out parade of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ stream one corps members posted to the state.

She stated that 10 corps members received State Merit Award, while 10 others received recommendation for initiating various projects that impacted on the lives of the people in the state.

However, she revealed that two corps members died in the course of their service year.

The coordinator said that 2,193 corps members passed out in the state.

In Enugu state, three corps members also lost their lives in the course of the programme; one died in camp and two others died in their home states.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Nwano Ukagha, told NAN that this year’s event was low key.

NAN reports that there was no gathering and passing out parade which usually holds at Okpara Square in Enugu.

The corps members were requested to collect their discharge certificates from the headquarters of the local government area where they served.

She said that five corps members would be repeating their service year for various reasons bothering on truancy and dereliction of duty.

One of the out-gone corps members, Miss Felicia Green, who served in Enugu North Local Government Area, said that she was happy to have completed the four cardinal exercises of the NYSC programme.

“I have learnt a lot this past one year and cannot wait to face the outside world,’’ she said. (NAN)

Reporters/DUA/MST
Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NANFeatures/Vol.10/No.234/2016 (Oct. 7)

Re-branding the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

A News Analysis by Femi Ogunshola, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The crisis that attended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) during its election in 2013 is still fresh in the minds of political analysts.

The contest was a straight fight between former Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and former Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau which, at the end, resulted in stalemate and the forum split to factions.

Amaechi scored 19 votes and Jang scored 16 votes but analysts alleged that Jang was seen as former President Goodluck Jonathan preferred candidate.

Amaechi led the group of 19 governors while Jang led the other 16 governors.
Observers opine that the factions in the forum have affected the unity of the hitherto vibrant and united forum of 35 governors across the country.

However, Mr Asisshana Okauru, Director-General of the forum, described the development as a trying moment for the forum.

He noted that the election was conducted and a winner emerged contrary to speculation that there was no election.

He said the 35 governors were present and every one of them voted for their preferred candidates and the election result was announced.

“But since then, the forum could no longer speak with one voice and each went its separate way and I had to excuse myself and travel on study leave,’’ he said.

With the benefit of hindsight, the forum was inaugurated in 2009 with the former Gov. Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa as the first to chairman.

Former Gov. Lucky Igbenedion of Edo and former Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara, had equally led the forum at different times before the crisis ensued between Amaechi and Jang.

Okauru solicited efforts aimed at transforming the forum and its operation as a policy hub and resource centre for good governance in the country.

“When we came on board in 2009, we recognised that we could not achieve much without the active engagement of stakeholders, policy professional and sector-specific expert.

“We started by touring the 36 states of the federation as guests to our principals in company of experts who were involved in our initial review of governance at the state level,’’ he recalled.

Okauru listed the achievement of the secretariat between 2009 and 2013 to include the state peer review mechanism, knowledge management and governance share fair initiative, policy and economic advisory and polio and economic advisory, among others.

He said several retreats of the forum provided opportunity for an in-depth deliberation of what the secretariat ought to be doing differently.

“Challenges bedeviling the forum include too many sycophants, time management and poor feedback around the governors.

“The crisis in 2013 disrupted the secretariats activities and disallowed it to function optimally; there is to re-establish the vision and mission of the forum.

“Our vision provides the context for designing and managing the changes that we will need to make to address contemporary issues, attain the goals we have set for ourselves and realise our strategic objectives,’’ he said.

In his opinion, Mr Chinedu Eke, Project Manager of the forum, observed that to reposition the forum, the perception outside that it was only for the ruling party must be corrected.

He said that communication is equally needed to ensure that Nigerians see the forum as one and not a divided house from party line.

“Also, there is competition which should not have been; you find South East Governor Forum, Northern Governor Forum and South West Governor Forum, among others, but the forum must ensure that these regional groups are engaged,’’ he noted.

He said that many countries were beginning to recognise the forum until the crisis began, adding that the forum presented an asset to the country.

For proper re-positioning, Prof. Abba Gambo, Head of Department Crop and Production, University of Maiduguri, and a consultant to the forum, called for financial independence for the forum.

He said that the financial independence would enable it to function optimally without undue influence by any political party.

Also, Prof. Afeikhena Jerome, Consultant for Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Addis Ababa, said the secretariat of the forum should not be seen as serving the interests of politicians.

In the same vein, Dr Oluwafemi Oyewo, a consultant to the forum, said that the forum was a Nigerian project and not of any political party.

By and large, Mr Alutu Uzo, a presidential aide, noted that the forum ought to adopt best practice at the sub-national level about coordinating states efforts in acieving self sufficiency; not depending on the Federal Government all the time.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Court revokes bail of alleged N5.5m fraud against ex-PHCN staff
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Revocation
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The FCT High Court has revoked an earlier bail granted Solomon Ndam, an ex-staff of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) standing trial on multiple allegations of fraud.

Justice Jude Okeke revoked the bail on Thursday following an application and withdrawal of his surety, Mr Tijani Haruna, from rendering the services.

Okeke remanded Ndam in Kuje prison pending the time he would get a new surety.

“In the light of this, all documents belonging to Haruna are to be returned to him, by this ruling, therefore, the applicant sizes to be responsible to the accuse in a manner earlier agreed,’’ he said.

Ndam is standing trial on a 13-count charge of forgery, impersonation and obtaining N5.5 million by false pretence from unsuspecting victim.

The Counsel to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Samuel Okeleke, entered his fielded his fifth prosecution witness, Mr Olushola Adewumi.

Adewumi, a staff of the First Bank of Nigeria Plc., said he received a subpoena to produce certain documents relating to the case in court.

“One of the persons the accused allegedly cheated is a customer of the bank and he is among our customers captured in the bank’s database as shown in the bank’s mandate. This includes his picture, name and signature.

“We also produced the certificate of identification of the customer and the name of the account is Babatunde Kolawole”, Adewumi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the documents were admitted as exhibits.

Ndam allegedly obtained the money from some unsuspecting persons, claiming that he would help them acquire plots of land being sold by PHCN.

The offence is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.

The Judge adjourned the matter to Oct. 25 for continuation of trial. (NAN)
OMO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha