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Security

Numan (Adamawa) Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Sodom Daniel, member representing Numan state constituency in the Adamawa House of Assembly has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy permanent security in communities bordering Taraba and Adamawa states.

The lawmaker said the move would curtail incessant invasion of bandits into the communities.

Daniel made the appeal on Sunday while distributing relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge at Numan 2 Central Primary School.

She alleged that the marauders usually come from a border community called Abare in Taraba to attack Adamawa communities.

She said that most border communities in Adamawa were porous due to absence of security personnel, making its inhabitants prone to attacks.

The lawmaker also commended the state government for provision of relief materials to victims of the recent attacks, but urged it to intensify efforts in securing the lives and property of the people.

Mr. Samuel Bolki, one of the IDPs who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), called on the Federal government to bring to an end the killings and also restore peace to the affected communities to enable them return to their original abodes.

He thanked the lawmaker for identifying and supporting them with items in their moment of need.

NAN reports that over 27 lives were lost and scores sustained various degrees of injuries in the recent attacks that bedeviled the communities.

The communities worst hit are Gon, Bolki, Nzumosu and Yanga. (NAN)
MK/AZA/MNA
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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Maureen Atuonwu

Buhari extends FFS boss tenure
Tenure
By Kelechi Ogunleye

Abuja, Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) President Mohammadu Buhari has reportedly approved the extension of the Federal Fire Service Comptroller General, Joseph Anebi.

The development was disclosed through the official Twitter handle of the Federal Fire Service in the late hours of Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the extension was confirmed in an interview with the service Public Relations Officer (PRO),  Ugo Huan on Sunday in Abuja.

Huan said that more information would be disclosed soon. (NAN)

KAYC/IA

Scrabble

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria’s best scrabble player, Moses Peter, has said that scrabble was not given the attention it deserved in the country.

Peter, who is currently the World No. 2 player, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin that scrabble was one of the sports in Nigeria that could produce a world champion but not well recognised here.

Peter, who is also the coach of Akwa Ibom scrabble team to the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin, said the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development was not encouraging other sports in the country.

“We are disappointed with the way we are treated as a federation and the way the sports ministry is treating us as athletes.

“As we speak, we are the best scrabble playing nation in the world, we are the only country that produced a world champion two years ago and now a second world champion, which is myself, but we are not getting any recognition here at home.

“To whom much is given, much is expected, we have done our bit. But the ministry isn’t doing what it ought to do for other sports let alone scrabble.

“We are just pleading now that it should come to our aid because football is not the only sport in the country.

“Government should try to give even if its a percentage of what football gets to other sports and see how Nigeria will perform in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other championships,” Peter said.

He lamented the initial removal of scrabble from the National Sports Festival, saying it would have portrayed us in a bad light internationally.

“I do not want to imagine when scrabble was taken out from the National Sports Festival, I couldn’t fathom the rationale behind it, though it is back.

“’I commend those who made it possible for scrabble to be reinstated, but it was an anomaly.

“Imagine what the world scrabble body will be thinking, that the people we hold in high esteem are not even worth reckoning with in their country, it would have been a slap on our faces,” the Akwa Ibom coach said.

He, however, noted that efforts were ongoing to ensure that scrabble becomes more viewer-friendly to attract more followership.

“Right now, we are looking for a way to make scrabble viewer-friendly because before now, people are not allowed to move close to where it is being played because people can try to influence the kids, so they tend to try and curb the excesses.

“But today, sports is all about fan base and making money. And you cannot see people loving sports that they cannot go close to watch.

“Such sport cannot fly in terms of sponsorship and following. So, we are trying to see how to make scrabble a more viewer-friendly game.

“This is to ensure that the world over will see scrabble in a different light, and from there, sponsorship will come.

“With that we know that in the shortest possible time, scrabble will get the sponsorship and recognition it deserves in this country and beyond. (NAN)
BAY/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Freestyle

By Kemi Ajayi and Mariam Akande
Lagos, Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) South Africa’s freestyle footballer Ashley Mkhize has advised athletes interested in freestyle football to train hard to enhance their skills in the game.

Mkhize gave the advice while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the maiden Africa Freestyle Football Championships in Lagos.

The freestyle footballer, who was in Lagos to participate in the competition, said stardom could only be attained through hard work and commitment.

NAN reports that Mkhize is the first South African to win a medal in the 2017 Superball World Freestyle Football Open Championships where he finished third in the event in Prague, Czech Republic.

He said that his career in the sport, which started eight years ago, had taken him to many places and exposed him to many opportunities.

“’I started my career eight years ago, my career has taken me far and has also opened opportunities for me in life.

“’My advice to the young ones is to train hard, whether freestyle or any other sports they are interested, the reward will come naturally.

“All they need to do is to consistently work on their craft so that they can be the best in what they are doing,” he said.

The number three freestyle footballer in Africa, said he was in Nigeria not just for the sport but also to have a feel of the culture in the country.

“I am here not only for the championships but because Nigeria is the biggest country in Africa with rich culture.

“I came to experience the culture and get a feel of what Nigeria is all about and I must commend the organisers for putting up this competition to enhance freestyle football in Africa,” he said.

He commended Feet ‘N’ Tricks International for staging the championships to promote freestyle football in Africa.

NAN reports that championships which began on Sept. 13 ended on Saturday at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

NAN also reports that Freestyle football, which is also known as freestyle soccer in North America is the art of self-expression with a football, while performing various tricks with any part of the body.

Prizes worth 50,000 dollars and a car were won by participants in the fiesta.
(NAN)
OMA/KOA/PD/PDE
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(/Peter Ejiofor)Edited by Philip Dzeremo

Eaglets

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept.16, 2018 (NAN) The Ebonyi Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Charlse Akpuenika and other soccer fans have congratulated the Golden Eaglets for winning the 2018 WAFU Zone B U-17 AFCON in Niger Republic on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team defeated the Black Starlets of Ghana 3-1 on penalties after full time scores stood at 1-1, thereby earning the zone’s sole ticket for the U-17 AFCON in Tanzania, in 2019.

The fans told NAN on Sunday that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) should permanently check the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan issue that had bedeviled the nation’s cadet teams in recent times.

Akpuenika, the Sports and Youth Development Commissioner, commended the fighting spirit of the Eaglets, noting that they rekindled the Nigerian “never-say die” attitude while pursuing national causes.

“The team’s victory at the competition in spite of all obstacles has shown that with determination, courage and patriotism, Nigerians will excel in any endeavour or cause they seek to propagate.

“I, however ,urge the NFF to ensure that the MRI Scan which once again, reared its ugly head during the competition is permanently nipped to save the country the embarrassment which follows it,” he said.

Supporting his assertion, Hillary Obiesie, Ebonyi Sports Council Secretary, noted that the Eaglets deserved special recognition for winning the competition in spite of the initial challenges that confronted the team.

“Two of its outfield players were disqualified for failing the mandatory MRI Scan which left the team with only 18 out of the stipulated pool of 20, with only 15 of them being outfield players.

“The team was also written off by many soccer fans in the country after losing its first match 2-3 to lowly-fancied Burkina Faso and positing a below-par performance,” he said.

Chinedu Chiaha, a Soccer Historian, recalled that the MRI issue which had bedeviled the team started in 2013 and wondered why the NFF could not solve the problem.

“The Super Star Wilfred Ndidi among other players were disqualified by CAF in the 2013 U-17 AFCON for failing the MRI Scan and it took CAF’s special regard for Nigeria not to suspend it from the competition.

“Nigeria also failed to qualify for the 2017 U-17 AFCON after 80 per cent of Manu Garba’s Eaglets failed the same test with days to its qualifier against Niger Republic in Abuja,” he said.

Dr Francis Mezie, a Medical Doctor, noted that it was shameful for the medical department of the NFF not to ensure a credible MRI Scan for Eaglets players before competitions.

“The NFF will tell Nigerians that all selected players passed the test but we discover that many had actually failed it before the qualifiers and the competitions proper.

“The entire medical department of the NFF should be overhauled to save the country of further embarrassment as it may suffer outright suspension if the malaise continues up to the world stage,” he said.

Mrs Adaora Oboh, a youth activist urged the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to fulfill his promise of taking the team on a training tour of Qatar and other countries for effective preparation.

“Coach Manu Garba should not alter the cup-winning team but only fill areas of lapses with players who suit his technical ideology.

“The NFF must as a matter of urgency, employ the best MRI Scan modalities to ensure that players who will represent the country in Tanzania pass the test before leaving the country. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

NAICOM reiterates commitment to protect insurance consumers, operators

Insurance

By Lucy Nwachukwu/Bukola Adetoye

Abuja, Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reiterated its commitment to protect consumers and operators of insurance policies in the country.

Mr Mohammed Kari, Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, made the commitment at a seminar for Insurance Correspondents in Abuja.

“As a regulator, we cannot shy away from our responsibility which is to protect the shareholder, consumers and every stake  holder, including the interest of the operators,’’ Kari said.

Commenting on the importance of Tier Based Minimum Solvency Capital (TBMSC), Kari urged that the concept be embraced as it would help Nigeria’s insurance industry attain its position in the world.

The commissioner said the insurance industry was at a cross road of failure or survival but expressed optimism that the TBMSC would help build confidence of policy holders in the country.

“ what NAICOM has done in this policy is to guide operators to understand the brackets of operation which is the core of risk-based supervision, which the components have already been fully implemented.

“It will determine the class of business they will do based on the capital they have, that is having qualified to the minimum requirement.

“This policy will guide the operators, consolidate what we have done in the code of governance; policies and guideline submission and ensure that the insurance sector in Nigeria economy does not suffer when the next financial crisis will come.’’

On the recent court order restraining NAICOM from continuing implementation of the TBMSC, Kari said the commission was yet to receive any court order to that effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court Lagos had given a directive that NAICOM should put a hold on its proposed minimum solvency capital policy.

NAN also reports that NAICOM on Aug. 27, through a circular, informed insurance firms that their operations would now be reclassified into tiers.

The policy was supposed to take effect from Jan.1, 2019 but was brought back by the commission to October 2018.(NAN)

LCN/OBA/IA

NYG: Bayelsa scoop all 7 gold medals in golf

Golf
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 16, 2018 (NAN) Team Bayelsa has won all the seven gold medals in the golf event of the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin.

According to the golf medals table released by the officials, Team Bayelsa won all the gold medals to place first on the table.

Team Delta placed second with three silver, two bronze while Plateau placed third with just three silver medals.

Fourth on the table is Team Akwa Ibom with one silver, two bronze medals while Team Rivers placed fifth with three bronze medals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NYG, which started on Sept. 7, will end on Sept. 17 (NAN)
BAY/IA

Ekiti APC gets new party executives

Inauguration

Ariwodola Idowu

Ado Ekiti, Sept. 16, 2018, (NAN) The All Progressives Congress, (APC)  in Ekiti state on has adopted and inuagurated a new  35-member State Executive Council.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that an immediate past state Secretary of the party, Mr. Paul Omotoso, emerged as its new state Chairman.

The adoption and inuaguration of the new exco was held at a marathon stakeholders’ meeting at Iyin Ekiti, hometown of former state governor and current National Deputy Chairman, (South) of the party, Chief Niyi Adebayo.

This came after a motion moved by a former Senator, chief Ayo Arise and seconded by a former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye.

Present at the forum included the Chairman of the local organising committee for the congress and Deputy-Governor-elect in Ekiti, chief Bisi Egbeyemi, INEC officials and APC leaders across the state.

NAN reports that a former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahamad Muhammad, led a team of national delegation at the event.

Among the new state officers are Mr. Sola Elesin as Deputy Chairman, Mr. Ogunsakin Kayode as State Secretary and Mr. Ade Ajayi as the new Public Relations Officer, (PRO) among others.

In an acceptance speech, the new state chairman pledged to be above board and work towards repositioning the party for greater results.(NAN)

ARIS/IA

NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles along Gudumbali-Tumbun Rego, axis in Borno

Destruction
By Doris Esa
Abuja,Sept.15, 2018(NAN) The Nigerian Air Force says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has tracked and destroyed some Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) vehicles as they were attempting to launch fresh attacks on ground troops locations at Gudumbali and Damasak in Borno.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that the operation was carried out early morning of Saturday.

He explained that the mission was initiated following intelligence reports indicating that a convoy of BHT vehicles had been sighted within the Damasak – Gudumbali Axis.

” Accordingly, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform was dispatched to search for and locate the convoy of vehicles.

” The ISR aircraft spotted vehicles at a location 24 Km SW of Gudumbali heading in a Northwards direction. Consequently, a helicopter gunship was scrambled to attack the convoy.

“The helicopter arrived the location and was vectored to the position of the vehicles, which, at the time, were about midway between Nigerian Army (NA) locations at Metele and Arege.

” Following communications with ground troops, the BHT vehicles were positively identified, isolated and attacked by the helicopter gunship in successive strikes.

Daramola said that in the process, 4 of the vehicles were immobilized and their occupants neutralised.

” The ISR aircraft continued to track the remaining 5 vehicles, which initially dispersed but later regrouped and continued their retreat to Tumbun Rego.

” They were subsequently attacked at their harbour location by the freshly rearmed helicopter gunship; with 3 direct hits recorded on the vehicles,” he said.

He said that a follow-up attack on the newly discovered insurgents’ logistics base in Tumbun Rego was conducted by 2 Alpha Jet aircraft later in the morning of Saturday.

” The makeshift buildings and other facilities in the base were accordingly destroyed in the air strike.”

The NAF spokesman said that the NAF, working in concert with surface forces, would sustain the momentum of operations with a view to destroying vestiges of the insurgents in the Lake Chad green fringes and other areas in Northern Borno.(NAN)

ORD/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Sure Babes boss says team not pulling out of NWPL

NWPL

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Management of Kwara Ladies popularly known as Sure Babes has denied that the team has pulled out of 2017/2018 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL).

The Chairman of the team, Mohammed Daudu in a statement through the Media Officer, Toyin Saheed, said the situation was a false information.

“I was surprised when I received calls from different people asking me questions about it. I want to state categorically that the story is not true.

“I’m not happy with the person that spread it on social media. I still urge people to always confirm the fact about any story before going on social media, especially any thing that has to do with the club.

“Sure Babes is run professionally and we have a good structure; if we are going to pull out of the league, we will do it professionally,” Daudu said.

He, however, assured the supporters, fans and sports lovers in the state that the team would honour all their remaining matches in the league.(NAN)

OOH/IA

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