Blog

NAN-AE-3
NEWMAP
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Enugu State, has been stalled for non-payment of counterpart funds by the state government.

The Communication Specialist to the project, Mr Benedict Agbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the state government owed more than N500 million in arrears.

Agbo said that since the inception of the project in the state four years ago, the state government had only paid an initial N60 million meant for the development of the designs for two gully erosion sites.

The sites included the Ajali Water Works and 9th Mile Corner gully erosion sites

The official said that the state had the highest number of gully erosion sites, which were over 50, adding that five priority sites were chosen for the World Bank to work on.

“The state government is supposed to pay a counterpart fund for the eight years of the project life span, which is a total of N750 million. We are yet to receive their counterpart fund.

“The backlog is N506 million and we understand with government that times are hard but chances are that certain projects important to the life of the people should be given priority,” he said.

Agbo said that the last administration that attracted the project approved N150 million for NEWMAP but regretted that the money was not assessed at the time its tenure lapsed.

He said that the current administration had followed suit and even sent delegations to visit the priority sites in the state to assess the extent of work done.

“After the assessment it approved N506 million as the 2016 counterpart fund and the backlog of other years with a commitment that N53 million will be remitted for the project monthly.

“This was announced in June this year and we strongly believe that the state government is still making plans considering the economic challenges in the country.

“Every state government is finding it as a challenge. It is our hope that the governor will implement what has been approved,” he said.

Agbo said that the project which is counterpart-fund dependent was based on a tripartite arrangement involving the World Bank, Federal Government of Nigeria and participating state governments.

“The non release of funds is affecting the work so much because there are categories of activities that we do in NEWMAP and those activities are suffering.

“These activities are supposed to be done before we move into the actual gully civil work remediation in the field,” he said.

He said that the state was lagging behind in the project implementation, adding that some states had even paid more than required while others were angling to join.

“Currently we have 13 states that have bought into the project and are eager to pay their counterpart funds upfront.

“More states are eager to come in and the World Bank does not even look at us again due to the reluctance in the payment of our counterpart funds.

“Some sites are now been reapproved because two rainy seasons have gone since they got initial approval for intervention.

“The gullies have widened and there are a lot of variations in costs,” Agbo said.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Fidel Ayogu has said that the state government has not accessed any form of ecological funds for the devastating erosion sites.

Ayogu said that efforts to get the Federal Government to release such funds had not worked, adding that NEWMAP was currently working on some of the erosion sites in the state.

He said that the agency had discovered additional erosion sites in the state and that the state government was committed to working on them. (NAN)
EOA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Man charged with N2.5m visa fraud

NAN-H-33
Visa
Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Taiwo Oyerinde accused of defrauding another of N2.5 million under false pretences on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused, of no fixed address, is facing a three-count charge of obtaining under false pretext, stealing and conspiracy.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Oladele Adebayo, told the court that the accused duped one Shittu Oluwabiyi sometimes in the month of July at No. 17, Rasheed Oyekan St., Ketu.

Adebayo said that the accused collected a total of N2.5 million from the complainant under the pretence of helping him to procure a visa and a US international passport.

He said the accused kept giving the complainant various excuses for not procuring the visa till he was apprehended.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 312, 419 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for offenders.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Ajibade, granted the accused N500,000 bail with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case to Nov. 2 for mention. (NAN)
OAT/MST/MST

Edited and controlled by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-DS-3
Communities
Inuwa Ali
Maiduguri, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has assured Nigerians that all communities liberated from the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East are safe, once they are certified by the military.

Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, made this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Thursday.

Irabor was reacting to fears expressed by the returning resident of likely cases of landmine explosion in liberated areas.

“Nobody should express any fear because the areas are very safe. We give assurances for people to return based on the operations we conducted in the areas,” he said.

He said that the military had conducted thorough checks before allowing people to return.

“Before we give assurances, we ensure that no harmful objects like landmines or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exist in the areas. Once we give assurances for returnees to go back, we always ensure their safety,” he said.

He, however, urged returnees to be extra careful and report strange happenings to the security agents.

“That the places are safe does not mean that some people will not want to take advantage of the situation by planning evil.

“People should be engaged in community policing by passing credible information to security agents near them,” he said.

The theatre commander acknowledged that the military had hallenges with the issue of IEDs usage by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Of course the issue of IED has been a challenge, but we are doing everything possible to address the challenge,” he said, adding that the military had been able to reduce incidences of IED attacks in communities by the terrorists.

“IED attacks was a regular feature some few months back, but it has drastically reduced now that means that we are doing quite well.

“We are equally doing everything to ensure that the roads said to have been laid with IEDs are cleared. We will ensure that the terrorists do not have access to those roads when the mines are cleared, ” he said.

He said that the military had taken delivery of large number of anti-landmines equipment to fast track its operations.

“We are taking delivery of a number of equipment for the discovery and recovery of IEDs. In fact, we just took delivery of some of them and our personnel are being trained on how to handle them.”

Irabor said that the equipment would be deployed in a few weeks time to areas requiring attention. (NAN)
ABI/IS/OFN
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz//Felix Nwadioha

Police arrest 11 for obstructing traffic in Enugu

NAN-DS-2

Traffic

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Police Command on Thursday said it had apprehended 11 traders for obstructing traffic within the Old Park/Holy Ghost axis and New Market axis, Enugu.

The command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that police officers from the Central Police Station, Enugu, made the arrest between Monday and Tuesday during their traffic clearance exercise.

Amaraizu, therefore, appealed to market leaders to warn their members against obstructing traffic.

“As part of the ongoing effort of the command toward ensuring a free flow of traffic in Enugu, the command is reminding members of the public against blocking roads with wheel barrows, displaying wares on the road, thereby causing traffic congestion,’’ he said.

The police spokesman warned that anybody found committing the act would face the full wrath of the law.

“Those committing such unpatriotic act would be apprehended and arraigned in line with the relevant sections of the law,’’ he said.
(NAN)
OJI/AMY

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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Irepodun LGC inaugurates primary healthcare committee

NAN-H-7

Committee

Omu-Aran (Kwara), Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Irepodun Local Government Council of Kwara has inaugurated an 8-member Primary Healthcare Development Authority Committee to boost healthcare delivery services in the area.

Inauguration the committee in Omu-Aran, Dr Abimbola Folorunso, the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, charged the members to live above board and ensure that people enjoy prompt and quality healthcare.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the law establishing the agency was enacted by the administration of former governor Bukola Saraki in 2010.

Mr Smauel Buoye and Mrs Felicia Ogundeyi are to serve as Chairman and Secretary of the committee, respectively.

Other members of the committee include Oba Aaron Aransiola, Onijan of Otun-Ijan; Chief Stephen Adewumi; Chief Sunday Gbakanladow; Dr Tajudeen Adeyemo, Mrs Lucia Afolayan and Mrs Mary Afolayan.

Folorunso said the establishment of the agency was part of the policy thrust of the government aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to the people, especially at the grassroots.

She noted that the inauguration of the committee across the 16 councils of the state was delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances and challenges.

She noted the Irepodun council inauguration of the committee as the fifth across the local government areas toward improving the health status of the people of the state.

Folorunso said the government through the agency has been working tirelessly and had put in place adequate infrastructure and personnel needed to achieve effective healthcare delivery.

She also enjoined the committee members to remain committed and dedicated in their responsibilities in order to improve on the state low score performance in the areas of primary healthcare nationwide.

“I want you to avail yourself a copy of the agency’s constitution and note especially section 131-133 which has to do with functions and workload of the committee.

“This will assist to map out effective strategies, as pioneers, to be able to tackles those challenges hindering primary health care effectively,” she said.

She attributed the failure of the primary healthcare services on the high patronage being experienced in most general hospitals in the communities.

“The first contact for people on health issues, especially at the grassroots should be the primary healthcare centres and clinics.

“But due to failure in that regard people have no other alternative than to seek medical services in other hospitals.

“Even in the face of serious difficulties of carrying out numerous tests without adequate treatment,” she said.

The Chairman of Irepodun Local Council, Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, pledged his administration’s resolve to impact positively on the health status of the people.

He described the committee members as men of proven honesty, integrity and transparency.

Responding on behalf of members, Mrs Mary Afolayan, the council’s Head of Health Department, promised to discharge their duties with humility and dedication. (NAN)
ISHO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-DS-1
Review
By Martha Agas
Jos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Mr Babatunde Ogunyawo, has called for the review of obsolete laws in the State.

He made the call when he visited the Plateau state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Jonathan Mawiyau in Jos on Thursday.

Ogunyawo said it was worrisome that offences like possession of sophisticated fire arms, and crimes like rape and murder among others, were allowed options of fine thus encouraging criminality.

According to him, an offence like the possession of fire arms is lightly punished in the state’s penal code with just a fine of N40.

He said a prison term of even one year or a few days would have served a better deterrence.

“This visit is to seek partnership with the Ministry of Justice for the review and upgrade of obsolete laws in the state, like illegal possession of guns, rape and siphoning of government money for personal use which go with options of fine.

“The society stands the risk if they continue to be treated lightly and given options of fine as perpetrators will not relent in putting our lives and property in danger.

“It is important to get some of these laws upgraded and reviewed to save the society from lawless individuals”, he said.
He said the judiciary would help in ensuring a crime free society through ensuring criminals were sent out of circulation through imprisonment, reformation or by ensuring appropriate punishment was meted out to them.

The commissioner called on the public to report any misconduct by the police in the state for appropriate sanction as it would help in re-branding the image of the police in tandem with the change agenda of the government.

Mawiyau commended the commissioner for matching words with actions through the provision of police suggestion boxes across communities in the state as he had promised.

He informed him that attorneys-general in the country had planned to meet to finalise the code of conduct for all prosecutors across board to serve a guide in prosecuting matters.

“It is believed that the code of conduct will address ills of prosecutors and will ensure prosecutors who breach the code of conduct fashioned to fight crime are also punished,” he said.

He said the 19 northern Attorneys-General have visited the issues of inadequacies in the penal code and the criminal procedure and have submitted the report to the governors of the 19 northern states.

He said the inadequacies in terms of punishment would soon be taken care of and that the offences that had never been captured had been included in the review like ICT offences for speedy adjudication. (NAN)
MAA/ECN/IEA
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Editor: Emmanuel Nwoye
Controller: Idahosa Asowata

Female squash players call for more competitions

NAN-S-2
Squash
By Aderonke Ojediran-Lawal
Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Worried by the dearth of competitions, female squash players in the country have urged sports authorities and private organisations to institute tournaments for them.

The players, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, noted that they hardly had up to five competitions in a year.

They noted that not a single competitions was organised for junior female players in 2015, while the senior players only had three competitions during the period.

According to the female players, their male counterparts usually have 12 to 14 competitions annually.

Longdi Dasbak, former number one female squash player, said that the situation had discouraged upcoming female players, as there were no sponsorships coming for regular competitions.

“If you look at most of the club monthly tournaments, hardly will you see female category, it always include that of the men, and we get all sort of excuses.

“Aside from regular competitions, there is great disparity in price money, at times what we get as winner in our category is less than what the third position gets in the in the male category.

“We have being trying our best to change this status quo, we train as much as men do so what is the difference?

“In fact, we train more, what we have suffered over the years, the younger players may not be able to bear it,’’ Dasbak said.

Sharing similar views is Lola Ajayi, another top female squash player told NAN that young players were being discouraged from choosing squash as a sport.

“Honestly speaking it is demoralizing for upcoming players. Take for instance, the forthcoming Alake of Egba competition is almost on the way but it is only opened for male junior players.

“I think it’s unfair. So many talents have abandoned squash, it’s crazy to train hard and at the end of the day, there is no competition to participate in.

“Something needs to be done, we are helpless, we don’t know how we can seek redress, I pray someday soon, something good will come on,” she said. (NAN)
OAF/ENN/MZA
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed)

Anthrax disease: Director warns people against consumption of unwholesome meat

NAN-HG-6

Warning

Dutse, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Dr Abdullahi Haruna, the Director of Veterinary Services, Jigawa Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has warned people to desist from consumption of meat from animals not slaughtered in recognised slaughter slabs in the state.

Haruna gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Dutse.

Anthrax disease is a severe illness caused by bacteria named Bacillus anthracis.

Anthrax disease can result in pneumonia, blood infection and death.

Most of the time anthrax bacteria can be carried in the wool or on the skin of animals, usually cow, sheep or goats.

“According to what we heard, eight persons died in Niger Republic as a result of this disease.

“And because we share border with Niger, people from other states became disturbed and kept asking us about the measures taken about it.

“That is why we are warning people to be extra careful as regard to meats they eat.

“One must ensure that he consumes meat from animals slaughtered in the recognised abattoirs in the state,” he advised.

The official further advised people not to have direct contact with animals that are sick or dead, particularly cow in order to lower their risk contacting anthrax from such animals.

According to him, the classical signs of the disease in cattle include blood coming from the nose, ear, mouth and anus when they died.

Haruna said that people must also avoid contact with the blood of such animals, adding that such animals must be buried immediately they died, and the blood stains be cleaned to avoid spread of the disease.

“To lower your risk of getting anthrax, do not eat meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked, do not work with raw animal’s hides or skin, especially those of goats, sheep or cows,” Haruna warned. (NAN)

MNB/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-AE-29

Timber

By Uche Eletuo

Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Some timber exporters in Lagos, on Thursday, blamed the high cost of timber on bad roads.

The exporters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was becoming an herculean task to transact timber business because of deplorable state of the roads.

Chief Albert Ogbonna, the Kirikiri Sector Acting Chairman, Timber Exporters Association, that is yet to be inaugurated, said that members were just in the business to survive.

“Hauling of logs from the hinterland to the ports is really difficult because the feeder roads are bad and trucks have continued to fall while transporting the logs.

“With its attendant trans loading cost, it has become very hard to engage drivers and transporters,’’ Ogbonna said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Salisu Dogo, a timber trader, said it was difficult transporting logs from Adamawa forest to  Shagamu and Ogere processing plants.

Dogo called on the Federal Government to address the challenges by assisting investors in the sector to establish processing plants near the sources of logs.

Contributing, Mr Emeka Okoroafor, a driver, called for better roads that would facilitate the trade.

Okoroafor said that the high cost of transporting empty cargoes to processing plants for loading and back to ports for onward export, depended on the roads.

According to him, if the roads are good, the cost of transporting logs to processing plant will be minimal. (NAN)

EUC/ADA/YEMI

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

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Physician recommends reduction in alcohol intake as remedy to liver problems

NAN-HG-5

Liver

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) Dr Okezie Emenike, an Abuja based medical doctor, has said that reduction in intake of alcohol could help treat liver cirrhosis.

Emenike disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He described liver cirrhosis as the scarring of liver and poor liver function seen at the terminal stage of chronic liver disease.

According to him, the disease is mostly caused by long term exposure to toxins such as alcohol and viral infections.

He stated that limitations of one or two drinks and avoiding daily drinking as well as maintaining a healthy and balanced diet helps reduce the risk of developing the disease.

He noted that practice of safe sex, hepatitis free, avoiding dirty needles and avoid the consumption of uncooked shell fish also helps in preventing the development of liver cirrhosis.

Emenike stressed that avoiding exposure to industrial chemicals was another measure of preventing liver damage.

Besides, the medical doctor said that taking hepatitis B vaccinations helps the body produce antibodies which helps prevent the contraction of hepatitis and as well reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis.

Emenike added that the treatment of liver cirrhosis depends on the underlying cause and the extent of damage on the liver.

He suggested total abstinence from alcohol intake, weight reduction, medications to control hepatitis as well as medications to control other causes of cirrhosis to help treat it.

Emenike also recommended the use of antibiotics to treat infections, liver transplant as well as vaccination for pneumonia and hepatitis in order to treat the disease.

However, he urged patients with liver cirrhosis to go for blood test and ultrasound exams every six months to look out for liver cancer.

He also advised patients to seek medical help as well as administer prescribed medications in order to prevent build up of toxins in the blood. (NAN)

CSO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola