Blog

Traders appeal to FCTA to provide adequate spaces for business activities

NAN-H-107

Traders

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Traders at the Nyanya market, a suburb of  Abuja, have appealed to the Federal Capital Territrory Administration (FCTA) to provide adequate spaces conducive for business activities.

The call is coming against the background of the demolition of shanties at the market on Sept. 28.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that officials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) had demolished the illegal structures to ease traffic flow along the Abuja-Keffi road.

Mr Christian Kalu, the Chairman, `Okrika’ Traders Association, told NAN that since the demolition, AMAC officials had yet to provide  alternative location for the traders to continue with their businesses.

“The AMAC chairman told us to evacuate from the area; they had promised to look for a place for us to do our businesses before ejecting us; but the reverse is now the case.

“Today is market day and most traders have are yet to get a place to sell their goods. Some of them are even stranded because of heavy security personnel around this area.

“Most of them are afraid of arrest; so they are standing afar off to see when it will be convenient for them to sell their goods.’’

He, therefore, appealed to the government to urgently assist the traders because they had been stranded since the commencement of the evacuation.

Mrs Ebere Johnson, a trader and mother of six said:“The notice given to us was too short; so, there was no time to plan and find alternative place to do business.

“I came out this morning with the intention to sell but the reverse is the case.

“There is no place for me to display my goods because police and other security personnel are here restricting people from displaying their goods.

“ I left my house this morning with only N300; I don’t know how I will go back home and provide for my family.’’

Mr Musa Abdullahi said he resorted to street trading because it was difficult to pay for a shop within the market.

He added that the demolition by AMAC had made him jobless.

“AMAC has done a good thing but there was no adequate time to re-organise ourselves to somewhere else.

“ With this present recession, these activities will only encourage criminal activities in the land.’’

Reacting to the development, Mr James Okoli, a business man, said that the environment looked decent, following the demolition and appealed to AMAC to sustain the exercise.

Mrs Grace Ademola, who also commended AMAC, urged the council to ensure a better and serene environment in the market. (NAN)

BOL/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi OKoronkwo

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NAN-HG-11
Breast Cancer
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) A Professor of Medicine, Ed Nwobodo, on Wednesday said five per cent of breast cancer cases occurred in men.

Nwobodo, who works at the College of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, spoke at the “Go Pink Day’’ organised by an NGO, Breast Without Spot, to mark the World Cancer Day in Enugu.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has set aside every Oct. 5 to raise awareness on early detection of cancer and treatment as well as palliative care.

Nwobodo said it was wrong to believe that men do not develop breast cancer.

“There have been several cases of breast cancer in men though, it was not as pronounced as that of women.

“Why such was not often reported was due to reluctance in men to present themselves for screening, as they were fond of hiding their health challenges.

“Men always hide their health challenges and that is why prostate cancer is still going to be an epidemic and big time problem with us, because it is always reported late.

“Current data suggests that we are going to see more and more cancer cases of all sorts among our people.

“However, if we can do away with late detection then, we are well on our ways to winning the war against cancer,” he said.

Nwobodo said breast cancer spread rapidly and could cause other forms of cancer, adding that the disease was not a death sentence, if properly managed.

“We have a choice of doing simple early examination in order to arrest the other consequences of having negative inevitable outcome.

“Those of us in the research world are not sure of whether some societal or living habits, or foods or some environmental issues have arisen and led to these cancers,” he said.

The expert, however, expressed dismay that health systems, which could have been in the fore-front of the crusade against cancer, were not working.

“Choose 10 hospitals in Enugu State outside University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, and maybe the specialist hospitals.

“You will not find any medical practitioner from 2.00 p.m., everyone is gone, and it is worse on weekends.

“When you eventually see somebody in the hospitals, they will invent 20 excuses on why they will not attend to you. Even, their facial expressions and approaches will scare you,” Nwobodo said.

He said that there were a lot more that both the governments and non-governmental organisations could to do to provide interventions and sensitise people on the deadly disease.

The consultant said that most people died of ignorance because they had no faith in the health facilities.

“We need to get some forms of community mobilisation because cancer is terribly high in the rural areas.

“Recently, we went on a cancer screening mission in one of the local government areas in the state.

“At some point, when we had seen 150 women and looked at their cervix, 17 of them were positive for cervical cancer, while we discovered 20 women with breast cancer,” he said.

Nwobodo said that in one of the communities where the screening took place, three out of seven men screened for prostate had clear indication of early signs of prostate enlargement or cancer.

“There are no support systems. There are no facilitators to help them to get into a treatment routine such that they can begin to intervene.

“We need to provide rural women with health insurance cover and break the inertia of people wanting to get into the treatment route,” Nwobodo said.

In her remarks, the Programme Manager of the organisation, Mrs Chinenye Okwuosa, said that cancer had created a huge burden and high mortality rate.

Okwuosa attributed the surge to late detection, hence the essence of the sensitisation.

She said that the group would provide free cancer screening in some parts of the state. (NAN)
EOA/MNA/GOK
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)

NAN-F-16
Rescue
Rome, Oct. 5, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Officials of Italian coast guard said on Wednesday in Rome that more than 4,650 migrants had been rescued off the Libyan coast and 28 bodies recovered,

The officials said that with the latest development, the total number of migrants rescued in the last 48 hours had risen to nearly 11,000.

They said that more than 20 migrants were reported to have suffocated in the hold of one overloaded fishing boat, bringing the total death toll for Monday and Tuesday to 50.

The Italian officials said three women, who were saved on Monday, had given birth over the past 24 hours on a coast guard vessel that was bringing some 1,000 refugees to Sicily.

The women and their three children were all reported to be in good health.

The coast guard said the migrants were rescued from 33 boats, including 27 rubber dinghies and one wooden boat that were believed to have been carrying around 1,000 people.

A photographer working for Agence France Press, who was aboard a ship chartered by a Spanish NGO to help with the rescue missions, said that he counted 22 bodies on the boat.

He said that other corpses might still be in the hold of the ship.

At its closest, Libya is some 290 km (180 miles) from the Italian Island of Lampedusa.

People smugglers have taken advantage of the chaos in the North African state to use it as their main staging post in the region for journeys to Europe.

The coast guard said new rescue operations were underway “but far fewer than on the previous two days.

“Obviously the good weather has played an important role in explaining the large number of recent arrivals,” a coast guard spokesman said.   (NAN/Reuters)

OYE/AEA
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole, Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-105

Probe

Yola, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Adamawa Government has set up a five-man Investigative Panel to probe the execution of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects in the state during Nyako’s administration.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, made this known in Yola on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

Sajoh said the committee had Alhaji Alfa Belel as Chairman with Mr Ayuba Tumba, Mr Jim Audu and  Mr Babs Shuaibu as members while the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Political) in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, would serve as Secretary.

Sajoh also said that the White Paper on Justice Bobbo Umar Judicial Panel of Enquiry which investigated the former administration of Murtala Nyako had been sent to the state’s Ministry of Justice for advice.

Gov. Muhammadu  Bindow of Adamawa recently threatened to ratify the white paper on report of the judicial commission which investigated the administration of Nyako, “if supporters of the former governor continue attempts to sabotage my government.’’

Meanwhile, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress in Adamawa and a close ally of Nyako, Alhaji Uba Dan-Arewa, dismissed “threats by Bindow to indict Nyako.’’

Dan-Arewa said the governor was only playing to the gallery as the former governor had no case to answer.

Dan-Arewa claimed that the Justice Bobboi Umar Judicial Panel of Inquiry, set up by former acting governor, Umaru Fintiri did not complete its assignment.

“It is an empty threat because there is nothing like white paper as the said panel did not complete its assignment.”

Dan-Arewa said Fintiri, who set up the , was removed from office by an Abuja High Court for illegally occupying the seat of Acting Governor.

“Gov. Bala Ngilari who took over from Fintiri snubbed the panel, while the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, Yola Division, on Nyako’s impeachment delivered in February this year declared Nyako’s impeachment as null and void and of no effect.

“Meaning, Fintiri’s administration which set up the panel does not exist by law.

“If Gov. Bindow wants any white paper to sign, he needs to set up another panel to probe Nyako”, he stressed.

He cautioned Bindow against heating up the state, adding that the recent formation of the political support group, Team Bindow, by the governor’s supporters,  was an attempt to commence campaign ahead of 2019. (NAN)
YMU/IEA
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Edited/Controlled by Idahosa Asowata

Traffic offenders to undergo psychiatric test – Minister

NAN-H-104
Traffic
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) FCT Minister Muhammad Bello has directed that any motorist who beats traffic light should be arrested and taken immediately for psychiatric test.

Bello gave this directive during an interactive session with the FCT Press Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.

He also directed the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat to make ambulances available at traffic interchanges to convey any motorist arrested by the police.

He also requested the Police to permanently station speed bikes at various traffic intersections for the purpose enforcing the directive.

According to him, the bill for the test and administrative processes will be borne by the erring motorist, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Bello also said that if the arrested motorist was certified to be alright and medically fit, the culprit should be prosecuted to face the consequences of his/her bizarre action.

He further asked the Police to commence immediate implementation of the directive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that senior officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and Inspector  are expected to man the speed bikes, to ensure a high level of discipline. (NAN)

KM/NKO/NKO

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By Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN -AE-10

Middlemen

Kano, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Garba Bichi, Kano State Secretary of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has advised farmers in the state not to sell their farm produce to speculative middlemen.

Bichi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano.

He said that the advice became necessary in view of the fact that some unscrupulous middlemen had started buying the produce from farmers following the commencement of harvest season.

According to him, the intention of such people is to hoard the commodities with a view to reselling it to members of the public later at exorbitant prices.

“We feel that it is necessary to advise farmers to be careful with those people who are going round to buy their farm produce now.

“Their intention is to hoard the commodity until when the prices will go up to resell it to people at exorbitant rates,” he said.

Bichi said the association would soon commence enlightenment campaign on the dangers associated with such unpatriotic attitude of the speculative middlemen.

He said the campaign would be carried out in each of the 44 local government areas of the state.

“We intend to go from ward to ward to sensitise farmers on the need to stop selling their farm produce to middlemen immediately after harvest.

“These people are bent on causing scarcity of the produce in order to maximize profit through hoarding,” Bichi said.

He also advised the government at all levels to make a law that would check the illegal act.

According to him, some of the farmers have secured loans either from government or private organisation to cultivate their farms.

“Some of them are subsistence farmers, when they sell their produce early; they are the ones to suffer later before the next farming season.

“So if they dispose of the produce at a giveaway prices, they will not also be able to pay back the loans,” he said. (NAN)
MTM/MO/AFA
Edited by Morayo Omolade/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-100

Charges

By Taiye Edeni

Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kofi Mbiah, the Chairman, Union of African Shippers Council (UASC), says Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) should address the issue of proliferation of charges in ports.

Mbiah said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the Validation Colloquium on United Nations Convention on Contracts for International Carriage of Goods Wholly by Sea (Rotterdam Rules).

He urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation to work with the  NSC to address the issue of proliferation of charges in Nigerian ports.

According to him, operators in the ports are collecting many charges that discourage importers and exporters.

“This is because the cost of the various charges will be passed to the final consumers through increase in the prices of goods.

“The challenges are more of a practical nature in terms of what happen in the ports; there is the need to ensure that there is orderliness in the ports.

“Stakeholders should dialogue with NSC, so that they can agree on rates and charges to ensure that shipping lines and other operators in the ports do not unduly charge importers and exporters.

“Proliferation of charges like terminal handling and container administration, among others, will not make Nigerian ports to be attractive to importers and exporters.

“The charges in Nigeria ports need to be properly defined; people should be made to know them at the beginning of the year and make it predictable for the importers.’’

The chairman said that the objective of the colloquium was to bring various stakeholders together to raise issues on the new Rotterdam rules and how to implement and ratify the rules.

“The objective is to bring together various stakeholders, who will be affected by the implementation of the convention; this forum is to shed light on various aspects of the convention.

“As at present, Nigeria is practicing the Hague-Visby Rules and the Hamburg Rules.

“So, there is a need for a more modern convention which is the Rotterdam Rules that address the practical relatives of international trade.

“Today, we are using containers more than any other object for shipment and the legal regime that exists presently has not adequately addressed the issue of containers.”

According to him, the Rotterdam Rules will address the issue of container revolution. (NAN)

TY/MO/NKO

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Edited by Morayo Omolade/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-AE-9

Dogs

Dutse, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources said on Wednesday that it had vaccinated over 1,500 dogs against rabies in the state.

Dr Abdullahi Haruna, the Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

Haruna said that the dogs were vaccinated during the recently-celebrated World Anti-Rabies Day.

The official said the dogs were vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.

Haruna said the exercise was conducted at seven designated centres in the state.

According to him, the state government had provided enough vaccines and other supporting equipment, to ensure the success of the exercise. (NAN)
MNB/FLP/AFA
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Felix Ajide
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Audio Attached

NAN-H-89

Option A4

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos State Chapter of PDP has called on the Federal Government to reintroduce the `Option A4 voting system in the country.

The Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Ola Apena, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

Apena, who was reacting to the allegation by a coalition of accredited election observers that the Sept. 28 Edo governorship election was rigged in APC’s favour, said that if reintroduced, Option A4 would eliminate any form of election malpractice.

• Cue in audio

“I think we should go back to Option A4 because Option A4 does not allow for this kind of manipulation.

“Once, a line is formed at the appointed time, if you have been accredited, they will give you something to show that you have been accredited, you come back, you line up and they count you.

“I think, our level of tolerance, our level of honesty, our level of transparency in this country does not accommodate this balloting system that we are using because we will always find desperadoes not necessarily within APC, but even with the PDP.’’

• Cue out audio

The PDP chieftain expressed regret that the social media is compounding INEC’s problems as results announced at the various polling units are usually posted on the internet, thus making any form of manipulation thereafter difficult.

“The advent of social media is creating a lot of problems for the electoral body because as the results are announced at each polling unit, so it goes on internet.

“It is a big problem because when you now go behind and start cancelling, doing all sorts of things, giving us some reasons why you have to cancel, people will doubt the outcome of the election.

“It is not good for our democracy,’’ he said.

In Nigeria, Open ballot system (Obs), also known as Option A4, is a voting method in which voters vote openly by queuing or otherwise, indicating the candidate of their choice.

This is as opposed to a secret ballot, where a voter’s choices are confidential.

The system minimizes incidences of election rigging that comes with the secret ballot system as well as other electoral fraudulent-related practices.

The Open ballot system was first adopted in the Third Republic during the 1993 Nigerian presidential election – an election that was widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s political history. (NAN)

LED/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Controlled by Emmanuel Yashim

=========================================Apena’s audio

NAN-HG-10
Antibiotics
By Yashim Katurak Rebecca
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Natural forms of antibiotics are yet to be confirmed as alternatives to the treatment of infections and diseases, a medical practitioner, Dr Arikawe Adeolu, said on Wednesday.

Adeolu, who works at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“These natural products are not drugs you expect a doctor to prescribe as medication for either cough or diarrhea or any disease condition.

“Though, these natural products have been observed to have good antimicrobial effects, how they can be incorporated into the orthodox medical outline is still being considered presently.

“This does not mean taking these products in their natural form is bad; rather it is good and does not cause any harm to the body.

“In fact, taking them has shown to prevent certain diseases from getting into the body.

“In the event of any infection or disease, let a medical professional test you and carry out relevant investigation to determine the kind of infection you have and recommend you for treatment,” Adeolu advised.

He said that natural sources of antibiotics was still being discussed and deliberated on in the medical world, because the medical field was fast running out of antibiotics to treat disease organisms.

According to him, disease causing organisms are becoming more resistant to the traditional antibiotics.

“So, we are being faced with a situation whereby in a couple of years, we may have the “super bug”.

Adeolu described “super bug’’ as a disease causing organism that was totally resistant to any antibiotic ever produced.

He said that if this happened, there would be no medical hope for individual who gets infected by this disease causing organism.

Adeolu said that presently, there was already the multi-drug resistant organism which was resistant to most of the antibiotics produced, except a few.

He said that the concerns being raised led the medical community to begin to look for ways to either produce new antibiotics or have new approaches to treating infections and diseases. (NAN)
KRY/EAL/GOK
(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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