Blog

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NDIC

By Lucy Nwachukwu and Gregg Mmaduakolam

Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umari Ibrahim, on Thursday restated his warning to unsuspecting Nigerians against patronage of “wonder banks’’.

He gave the warning at NDIC Special Day at the ongoing 2016 Abuja International Trade Fair with the theme entitled, “ Make it in Nigeria.’’

Represented by the Director of Administration in the corporation, Mrs Christiana Afobor, Ibrahim said that “wonder banks’’ posed a challenge to the country’s financial sector.

”It is a worrisome development for the financial regulatory system that in spite of repeated warnings, many unsuspecting and financial naive members of the public have continued to patronise these dubious funds managers.

” They patronize these managers in view of mouth-watering interest rates and unattainable returns they offer their victims.

“For the avoidance of doubt, these wonder banks or illegal funds managers are neither licensed by the CBN nor are they under the NDIC deposit insurance scheme.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to patronize only banking institutions who display the NDIC stickers carrying the words ` Insured by NDIC’ in their banking halls,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said that the theme of the fair was very apt and demonstrated the Abuja chamber’s commitment to the hidden economic potential requiring new economic frontiers in the country.

He said that the fair also provided opportunities to revitalise the nation’s economy in the face of current challenges.

While reiterating measures by the corporation to deepen financial inclusion in the country, Ibrahim said that NDIC would not relent in its effort to protect depositors in insured financial institutions.

He said that the key mandate of the corporation was to provide deposit guarantee to depositors of insured financial institutions, banking supervision, distressed resolution and bank liquidation.

“ We aim at protecting depositors by providing a mechanism for reimbursement in the unlikely event of bank failure and to contribute to financial system stability as a key pillar of financial safety-net,’’ he said.

Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the choice of the theme was in response to the current realities of the Nigerian economy.

Ejinkeonye said it was a clarion call to governments at all levels to do the needful to improve the business environment and encourage private sector operations, especially small and medium enterprises.

He said that the 2016 fair aimed at promoting accelerated development of commerce and industry and revitalizing the country’s economy by promoting non-oil exports.

He said that it was also aimed at directing attention to the role of private sector in the Nigerian economy, provide access to resources and technology findings and attract foreign investments.

Ejinkeonye commended NDIC for its role in the economy and called for more public awareness on deposit insurance cover available to depositors. (NAN)

LCN/GOM/EAL/OPI

Story edited by Ekemini Ladejobi and controlled by Olisa Ifeajika

Mohammed’s audio at change campaignAudio Attached

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Campaign

By Janet Modupe
Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed has advised the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to embrace Federal Government’s  `Change Begins with Me’ campaign.

Mohammed said while speaking at the unveiling of the campaign to corporate organisations in Lagos on Thursday that embracing the campaign would ensure positive attitudinal change needed for national development.

He emphasised that the existence of corporate organisations is critical to national development.

• Cue in audio

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we recall, the President also mentioned in his speech that the private sector is a major stakeholder in this campaign.

“He said and I quote, ‘indeed when the campaign succeeds, it will impact heavily on the private sector. A punctual, diligent and hardworking staff can only be to the benefit of not just himself or herself or the organisations they work for, but to various governments – whether at local, state or federal level’.

“How can the private sector key into this campaign that is the essence of this gathering today.’’

• Cue out audio

Mohammed stated that it is important for the private sector to ensure that the campaign succeeds for a better Nigeria.

The minister said although the country is naturally endowed with human resources, there has been a breakdown in attitudinal behaviour.

He, therefore, said it had become necessary “we re-orientate ourselves’’.

He said the campaign would last the lifetime of the present administration.

Earlier, in his address, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mr  Garba Abari,  said that it was important for the public to understand the campaign and the hard work government invested in it.

Abari expressed the hope that the private sector would understand the essence of the campaign in a bid to attract their support in driving the economy to higher height. (NAN)

MJO/AWA/ERO/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Controlled by Emmanuel Yashim

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AEA disburses N20 million to young entrepreneurs

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Disbursement
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Abuja Enterprising Agency (AEA), has activated access to credit facility worth N20 million and disbursed to the finalists of the 3rd Abuja Business Plan Competition.

The acting Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Tukur Arabi said this at the Grand Finale of the Competition on Thursday in Abuja.

He said there were also additional cash prizes worth N750, 000 to the nine top performers in the three categories.

According to him, the competition is borne out of the FCT’s vision to ensure the provision of an enabling environment for the youth to take their rightful places in the area of business.

He said it was therefore made to chart a new and sure path to self-reliance and economic emancipation.

According to Arabi, the money was meant to empower the teeming young men and women with great business ideas and usher them into the world of entrepreneurship.

“The agency has successfully held two editions of the competition where the winners were given cash prizes to start the businesses they planned including registration with the CAC and hosting their websites.

“The 3rd competition is designed to sustain the success of the previous competitions with focus on the key sectors of the Nigerian economy which include agriculture, fashion and ICT,” he said.

Arabi said the agency would not relent in creating jobs for the youth in the FCT to reduce the high rate of unemployment.

“Our goal is to reduce to a reasonable level, the rate of extreme poverty in the territory which is significantly high.’’

The director-general commended the FCTA and Airtel Nigeria for their support and contributions toward developing entrepreneurial society.

He said the agency rolled out programmes and activities that had already started yielding results which included training of two batches of youths in Graphic Design and Web Development.

“Our target is to train 150 youths by Dec. 2016 on ICT. So far we have trained 50.

“The agency has completed the establishment of Rural Business Clusters as part of One Village, One Product Project (OVOP) in Rimbo and Nuku in Abaji Area Council.

“The cluster is for Shea Butter Production and at Chikuku Community in Gwagwalada Area Council is for Cassava Value Chain,’’ he said.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Dr Babatope Ajaikaye, challenged the participants to put into practice the knowledge acquired during the exercise.

The permanent secretary was represented at the occasion by the acting Secretary, Transport Secretariat, Alhaji Suleiman AbdulHamid.

In his keynote address, Alhaji Ibrahim Buba, the Chairman, New Age Communications, urged the participants to be persistence and committed to seeking information, to be able to set goals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 800 participants took part in the competition. (NAN)

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka, Julius Enehikhuere

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Certificate
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday in Benin, presented certificates of return to Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, winners of Edo gubernatorial election.

Dr Mustafa Muhammed, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of South-South zone, presented the certificates to the governor-elect and his deputy.

In a brief remark, Obaseki said he dedicated his victory to God Almighty, adding that one of the reasons he contested the poll was to expand and attract resources into state.

He thanked Edo people for their support during and after the election and vowed to put their interest first before his.

He lauded INEC for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Sam Olumekun, thanked the people of Edo and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful election.

INEC National Commissioner, Dr Mustafa Muhammed, promised that INEC would improve the electoral system in conduct of future elections. (NAN)

AJOM/JEO/AEA
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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

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Iodine
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Dr Safiya Ojo, a General Practitioner with Wuse General Hospital in Abuja
on Thursday urged Nigerians to include iodine-rich foods in their diet to prevent
goiter.

Ojo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland, just below the Adams apple in
the neck.

“The thyroid gland is a H shaped gland with two lobes; swelling can be in either of thelobes or in both.

“ The single largest cause of goiter is iodine deficiency in the diet.

“Developed countries use iodised salt in their diet; the cause of goiter may be linked to thyroid hormone imbalance or nodule in the gland.”

Ojo said that when the size of the thyroid gland became enormous, it may cause compression or deviation of the trachea, hoarseness of voice, difficulty in swallowing and breathing.

She said the only preventive measure of goiter was for an individual to pay attention to the iodine content in his or her diet.

“Salt can be easily iodised. It is a good vehicle to ensure adequate daily supply of iodine.

“Make sure you eat iodised salt, especially if you are staying in areas where the soil is deficient in iodine.

“Eat seafoods containing iodine such as shrimps, shell fish, as well as fruits and vegetables,’’ Ojo advised.

She, however, said that an individual with goiter should prevent over exposure to radiation.

The medical expert also advised Nigerians to consult their health care providers if they noticed any swelling in  the neck. (NAN)
OEO/HS/HA
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(Edited by Halima Sheji/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Buhari’s audio on mediaAudio Attached

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Challenge

Ismaila Chafe

Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the media not to see themselves as mere critics, but as true partners in the task of nation building.

The President, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the Leadership Awards, said the Nigerian media should always act in the spirit of patriotism in the important role of informing the people of the country.

He further urged the media to join the ongoing Federal Government efforts at uplifting the quality of life of the people.

• Cue in audio (Buhari)

“I expect the Nigerian media to join our government in the pursuit of these goals not just to criticise to prove their independence.

“The media must continually see itself as true partner in the task of nation-building and thus act in the spirit of patriotism at all times in the important role of informing the people of the country.

“On our part, our doors are wide open to media inquiries in line with the transparency and anti-corruption stance of our administration.’’

• Cue out audio

The President noted that the events of 2015, which the Leadership Newspaper chose to bring to the fore, marked a watershed in the political history of the country.

He said: “Those of us, who were participating actors in the elections, were led by the higher ideal of the future of our great country and the well-being of our people, rather than the mere desire of politicians to win elections.’’

President Buhari noted the patriotic zeal of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the impartiality of the electoral umpire – INEC – and the exemplary conduct of the political parties, the role of foreign pressure and other actors.

According to him, all these collectively disappointed the prophets of doom, who thought the country will disintegrate after the 2015 general elections.

He observed that the nation’s democracy had been strengthened by the outcome of the 2015 elections “as the people have more faith in the electoral system in the sense that their votes would count when choosing political leaders at various levels’’.

The President, therefore, called on the political class to build on the experiences from the 2015 elections to nurture the nation’s democracy.

On the award ceremony, President Buhari, who together with former President Goodluck Jonathan and former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Jega, received a Joint Award for the Leadership Persons of the Year 2015, felicitated with the other award winners for the recognition accorded them.

He expressed the hope that the awards would encourage all those recognised at the event to remain committed “to good behaviour in their various endeavours to justify this recognition and serve as inspiration to others’’.

“The Leadership Newspapers have been in the forefront of promoting democracy and positive values that are necessary to achieve national consensus on the issues that tend to challenge our unity and progress as a nation.

“We commend the Leadership Newspapers Group and its publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah, for standing firm on the path of patriotism, justice and fairness,’’ the President added.

The Chairman of the Leadership Group Ltd, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, said the annual awards ceremony was to recognise and reward personalities that make significant contributions to the socio-political development of the country.

Other awardees at the event included Chibok schoolgirls; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, and Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state.

Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), received the Leadership Public Officer of the Year 2015 award, while Korede Bello, the singer of the popular song `God Win’ emerged Leadership Artiste of the Year 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other individuals and corporate bodies received different awards for their contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the country.

The event with the theme `Democracy, Political Transition and The Challenge of Leadership in Africa’, was organised by the Leadership Conferences Limited, a subsidiary of the Leadership Newspapers. (NAN)
SYC/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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Education
By Kate Obande
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Mr Victor Adamu, Moderator, Abuja Spelling Bee Competition, has called on teachers and parents to intensify efforts to improve the academic performance of their children and students.

He made the call on Thursday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Adamu was reacting to the performance of students during the maiden edition of Abuja Spelling Bee Competition organised by Egunec Education support Fund (EESF).

He described the performance of the students as `unimpressive’ and stressed the urgent need for parents and teachers to assist their wards improve their vocabulary.

He said: “about 50 students participated in the maiden screening which was written; we wanted the best 40 students to cross to the next stage of the competition which is oral.

“But less than 50 per cent of the participants scored above five, 21 students scored zero on the list of 20 words.

“This is an indication that there is still a lot of work to be done on the part of teachers and parents.

“ Spelling and vocabulary is the foundation of education; if you cannot spell and understand the vocabulary, you cannot do anything else with regards to learning.’’

Adamu told NAN that other editions of the competition would be held in Lagos, Enugu and Port-Harcourt to assist students learn how to read and write better.

NAN gathered that the participants, who were in Junior Secondary Schools, were drawn from both public and private schools in the FCT. (NAN)

KTE/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-HE-16

Solutions

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kabir Usman, the Director-General, Centre for Management Development, has blamed the current economic recession in Nigeria on the lack of planning.

Usman said this at a three-day programme for Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that lack of discipline, poor saving and accountability, were also a major factor in the current recession in the country.

Usman said that the country had the capacity to manage its resources adequately in all ramifications.

He said that Nigerians tended to consume more than what was produced, adding that there was no equilibrium between consumption and production.

“Certainly, if it is like that, there is bound to be challenges in terms of balance of trade.

“We know that the Federal Government has said that it will tackle security; otherwise nothing else will happen in terms of economic activities and Foreign Direct Investment.

“The issue of infrastructure is a must because you have to move infrastructure from one place to another.

“We are blessed with six geo-political zones and everyone has a comparative advantage and other element is to tackle corruption, accountability and responsibility.’’

The director-general said for there to be any meaningful development in a nation, it had to start with agricultural revolution, then to industrialisation and to services.

He said the country moved from agriculture revolution to services without developing the manufacturing sector, adding that this was part of what caused the recession.

Usman, however, said that the issue of recession was not new as it had happened in the U.S, UK, Turkey, Libya and Germany.

He said for the country to come out of it, Nigerians needed to cut cost and work against wastage.

“We don’t only talk about those in government, even private individuals in terms of electricity, if you don’t need it, switch it off and don’t waste water.

“Secondly, it is saving, Nigerians don’t have good savings culture, and before salary comes we have finished spending.

“Savings is very important in terms of government assets, income and also important for individuals; we need to learn to save at least 10 per cent of our income.’’

He said that people should develop appetite for buying Made- in -Nigeria goods, adding that it was the only way to boost the country’s manufacturing industry.

According to him, focusing on the manufacturing sector will also enhance the agriculture sector.

Usman said the country could borrow, involve in Public Private Partnership to develop infrastructure as well as get involved in joint venture to boost economic activities.

“If everything failed, you have to sell your assets.

“Sometimes, you buy a piece of land or a house, there is nothing bad in selling your assets, provided is not going to be misused.

“It has to be properly done with a clear intention that it is going to help government to come out of recession.

“We are thinking about what we can do, we also need to think about how we need to make sure that there is a monitoring mechanism.

“The issue of recession is not new, countries have gone through it and they have come out of recession. If Nigerians are very committed with element of sincerity, we will come out of recession soon,’’ he said. (NAN)

CIA/DE/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

UN Security Council formally recommends Antonio Guterres as UN chief

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Security
New York, Oct. 6, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The UN Security Council formally endorsed former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres to serve as the next UN Secretary-General in a resolution passed by consensus on Thursday.

The official nomination, which now needs to be approved by the UN General Assembly, comes one day after the 15-member council agreed in a secret straw poll.

Vitaly Churkin, Russian ambassador to the UN and current president of the council said that  the assembly voted that Guterres was its favourite for the top UN post from a field of 13 candidates.

“The Security Council recommends to the General Assembly that Guterres should be appointed as the Secretary-General of the UN for a term of office from Jan. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2021,’’ he said.

Matthew Rycroft, British Ambassador to the UN, before the council’s meeting said “Guterres won this race because he was the best candidate in this race.
Guterres will succeed current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, whose term at the helm of the UN will end this year after 10 years.(dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole, controlled by Julius Enehikhuere)

Britain approves controversial shale gas fracking project

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Gas

London, Oct. 6, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The British Government approved a controversial fracking project in North-Western England on Thursday, overruling a local authority decision and angering anti-fracking campaigners.

Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, overturned a decision by Lancashire County Council and approved horizontal fracking of shale gas at a site near the coastal town of Blackpool.

However, he rejected an application for fracking on a nearby site pending the resolution of road safety concerns.

Cat Smith, an opposition Labour lawmaker for the nearby Lancaster and Fleetwood constituency, said Javid’s approval of the project was an “affront to local democracy”.

“Not only is this decision undemocratic, it could open the floodgates for more fracking across the country if the government is willing to overturn decisions made by local councils,” environmental group Friends of the Earth said.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves using high-pressure water, sand and sometimes chemicals to force gas out of underground shale deposits and collect it at the surface. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/AMY
Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf