Blog

NAN-H-46
Abduction
Warri (Delta), Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Delta Police Command has confirmed the abduction of one Mrs Rukky Eneru by unknown gunmen in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Warri.
The police image-maker said that effort was ongoing to rescue the victim unhurt and also apprehend the suspects.
“We have already spread our dragnet to rescue the victim as well as apprehend the hoodlums to face the law, “she said.
Kalu said Eneru was abducted by unknown gunmen at about 6 a.m. on her way to church on Sunday in Isoko Estate near Airport road.
Sources said the hoodlums numbering three, allegedly forced the victim into her dark-coloured Toyota Camry car and later transfered her into another car and whisked away.
“Her car was later abandoned by the hoodlums at a spot.
“The operatives of the Warri Area Command and the patrol team at Ugborikoko Police Station, the jurisdiction where the incident occurred made efforts to rescue the victim when they got the information..
“The kidnappers are yet to make any contact or demand for ransom,” the police image maker said. (NAN)
EDI/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-45
Celebration
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Oct.3, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Abuja together with their families on Monday thronged recreation centres across the city to celebrate Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary in spite of the downturn in the economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared Monday, Oct. 3 public holiday to commemorate Independence Day, which fell on Saturday.

A NAN correspondent, who visited some amusement parks and fun centres in the city, observed that residents and their families came out in their numbers to relax and enjoy themselves despite the harsh economic climate.

One of the residents, Mr Kenneth Itopa, a civil servant, told NAN, said that unlike previous years’ celebrations, the high cost of living had forced him to scale down on the places the normally visit with his children during festivities.

He said: “I just managed to take my children to Magicland Amusement Park to have fun and get them off my back.

“The prices of foodstuffs and indeed the cost of living generally have skyrocketed; many private firms are being forced to shut down, with resultant job losses.

“Almost all the states across the country owe their employees three to six months’ salary arrears and the citizens are struggling to cope.

“Normally, I would have done more than what I am doing now but I am compelled to cut my coat according to my cloth.’’

Miss Juliana Chinyere told NAN that she came to the park to catch some fun with her friends as she had no money to organize party as was the case in previous years.

“I just came out to catch a little fun with my friends; nothing big because I have no money,’’ she said.

On his part, Mallam Isa Momoh, a banker, said in spite of the economic recession he still had reasons to thank God.

Others fun seekers who spoke to NAN said that the economic downturn should not stop Nigerians from celebrating Independence Day to thank God for giving them another opportunity to mark Nigeria’s independence. (NAN)

EPA/APT/AEA
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Edited by Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Recession: EU advises Nigeria to devalue Naira

NAN-H- 38

Devaluation

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Oct. 3. 2016 (NAN) European Union (EU) official Fillippo Amato has advised the Federal Government to devalue the Naira as part of measures to tackle the economic recession.

Amato, Counsellor, Head of Trade and Economics Section of EU, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday

The EU official said that recession could not be addressed with traditional development tools.

He said the recession was a recent development which was due to a number of factors, including the fall in oil prices and resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta.

“To come out of recession, the country has to take brave decisions, regardless of how unpopular they may be such as fully and effectively devaluing the Naira.

“Devaluing the Naira is a measure, which will finally reassure investors and attract new capitals to the country.

“At the same time, it will further reduce imports, thereby removing artificial forex restrictions, and removing any potential waste of scarce resources such as the fuel subsidy.

“Improving security (in the Northeast and Niger-delta) and ease of doing business are also key factors on which the government must urgently work to re-launch the economy,’’ he said.

Amato said that EU had been at the forefront of aid for trade support activities in Nigeria and ECOWAS.

He said the most important programme the EU was implementing in Nigeria with its partners – GIZ, DFID/Adam Smith International and UNIDO – was the Nigeria competitiveness Support Programme.

“The programme aims at improving the quality of Nigeria products to comply with international standards.

“The programme is providing capacity building to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Ministry of Agriculture, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Customs Services and NADFAC.

“We support the trade institutions in the formulation and implementation of a sound trade policy (support to the Federal Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, and Nigerian Customs Service).

“This is to improve the business environment, with pilot projects in Kano and Kaduna to improve the procedures for obtaining land titles, and business licences,’’ he said.

He said Nigeria also needed to take advantage of the devaluation of its currency by diversifying its sources of foreign exchange revenue and this mainly through boosting its non-oil exports.

Amato said that EU would increase its support to the country under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) if ratified.

“EPA aims at boosting industrialisation and sustainable development of West Africa, both through improved (predictable, transparent and long-term) trade relations and through a development cooperation component.

“In addition, on Sept. 14, the EU has launched a European External Investment Plan which will further support private sector investments in the African continent, including Nigeria.

“The plan will support investments in the continent by providing targeted guarantees and ameliorating the investment climate and the overall policy environment in partner countries.

“The Plan will be implemented through the new European Fund for Sustainable Development, with EU funds totalling 3.35 billion Euros until 2020.

“The EU Funds are expected to mobilise up to 44 billion Euros additional investments,’’ the official said.

He, however, advised Nigeria to take into consideration all the opportunities the EPA would offer to Nigeria and communicate them to all interested stakeholders.

“The role of the government is also to reassure all stakeholders that there is no reason to be worried in the course of implementation of the EPA.

“The government will use all instruments offered by the EPA to ensure it will achieve its objective to promote industrialisation and development of Nigeria and West Africa.

“The EU will do its part to ensure these objectives are achieved,” he said.

According to him, in a globalised world no country or regional community can ignore the destiny of its neighbours.

“The EU, in particular, due to its historic ties and geographic proximity to West Africa, has a strong interest in promoting and supporting West Africa’s development, well-being, prosperity and stability.’’ (NAN)

CIA/APT/OFN

Edited by Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-28
Crimes
By Josephine Obute
Lagos, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Director, Nigerian Army Chaplaincy ( Protestant), Col. Dawuk Danfulani, on Monday advised Christians not to hide under the cloak of God’s mercy to commit crimes.

Danfulani gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that many people were taking undue advantage of God’s mercy to commit all sorts of crimes, unlike the period of traditional religion when there was less crimes.

According to him, the consequences of crimes were immediate and severe under the practice of traditional religion.

The director said that because modern religion depended on the mercy and grace of God, people took it for granted and resorted to disobedience.

“The modern religion has differed judgment to life after, which is more terrible, because no one can determine when that end will be.

”In spite of the unsavoury development, the society can not revert to traditional religion.

“The solution is more awareness and sensitisation by religious groups on the penalty for disobeying the rules and laws of the merciful God,” the army chaplain said.

He urged people to be conscious of the punishment that goes with disobedience to God’s instructions for our society to be a sane place.

“The traditional religion, which has a direct response or answer to all calls or crimes, was without mercy, forgiveness nor consideration.

“It was so excellent, because it did not give room to conditions or excuses for crimes, nor regard for personality, but rather severe and fearless response.

“The traditional religion did not give room for expansion nor development in the society, and was tied down to men, and women were not respected.

“But men who were custodians made the religion respected and feared, and this controlled crimes in the society,” Danfulani said.

He said that the severe nature of the traditional religion made it impossible for crimes to thrive in whatever shape or size.

“In those days, the society was not materialistic, there was contentment, respect for the deities, the culture and custodians of these cultures,” the chaplain said. (NAN).
JNEO/ERO/GOK
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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NAN-H-36

Documentaries

Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The American Embassy in partnership with some Nigerian Film Institutions, will on Tuesday showcase contemporary American documentaries in Abuja and Lagos.

A statement issued by the Information Unit of the Embassy on Monday listed the institutions to include the Abuja Film Village International Ltd., Abuja International Film Festival and Eko Film Festival in Lagos.

According to the statement, the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’ Affaires, David Young, and other dignitaries would give remarks at the occasion holding at Silverbird Cinemas in Abuja.

The partnership is aimed at offering a view of the American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers.

“American Film Showcase opens in Nigeria as part of the 17th Abuja Film Festival.

“Apart from the Silverbird cinemas, the documentary would also be screened at the Abuja Film Village International Ltd. on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7.

“The Showcase will also be presented in Lagos at the Ozone Cinemas on Oct. 21 and at the Silverbird Cinemas, Victoria Island on Oct. 24.

“Nine outstanding American documentary films will be screened.

“The screenings will also feature virtual dialogues with the American filmmakers,” the statement read in part,” the embassy stated.

It stated that the opening film for the Abuja programme was coded: “Debugging the Gender Gap” by Robin Hauser Reynolds.

This documentary, according to the statement, aims to inspire change in mindsets; in the educational system; in startup culture and in the way women see themselves in the field of coding.

Others films, scheduled for screening in Abuja and Lagos, are “3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets” by Carolyn Hepburn and “The Bad Kids” by Lou Pepe and Keith Fulton.

Also slated for screening are “Right Footed” by Nick Spark, “Catching the Sun” by Shalini Chantey, “Keepers of the Game” by Judd Ehrlich and “CodeGirl” by Lesley Chilcott.

“Generation Startup” by Cynthia Wade and Cheryl Miller Houser and “I’m Not Racist…Am I?” by Catherine Wigginton Greene would also be screened. (NAN)

IAA/AIB/AMY

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde

NAN-H-33
UNICEF
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, Oct 3, 2016 (NAN) The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Plateau Government for launching an action plan to end violence against children.

Mr Samuel Kaalu, the UNICEF Communication Officer, Bauchi Field Office,  made the commendation in a statement in Jos on Monday.

He said the launch of the plan on Sept. 29 enlisted Plateau as the fourth state in Nigeria to launch the campaign.

Kaalu said action to start the campaign was based on a survey conducted in 2014 by the National Population Commission with the support of UNICEF and other agencies.

He said the survey had revealed high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria, which necessitated the launch of a National Action Plan by President Mohammadu Buhari in September 2015.

“UNICEF commends Plateau government’s determination to protect and preserve the rights of children backed-up by the establishment of family courts in the state,” Kaalu said.

He said Plateau also announced a set of priority actions to be taken by the state, civil society, development partners, communities and individuals to safeguard the future of children.

He said the action plan, consisting of short-term and long-term strategies to effectively prevent and respond to violence against children, would stand the test of time.

Kaalu said  UNICEF would render all necessary support Plateau to ensure violence against children was reduced to the barest minimum not only in the state, but in Nigeria.

“We pledge UNICEF’s support to Plateau in its efforts to fight all forms of violence against children.

“All efforts at child survival and development would be diminished if society allows unmitigated violence to be unleashed on children,” he said.

Kaalu further applauded the European Union and all other international agencies for their support in efforts to end violence against children in Nigeria. (NAN)
AZA/ECN/JCE
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Chukwudi Ekezie

Thieves put gun to Kim Kardashian’s head, tie her up

NAN-F-1

Thieves

By Ebere Agozie

Paris, Oct.3, 2016 (REUTERS/NAN) Masked Jewel thieves put gun to Kim Kardashian’s head and tied her up in the Paris bathroom.

The police and her publicist said that the thieves left her tied up in the bathroom of her luxury residence in Paris and stole millions of dollars’ worth of jewelry in the early hours of Monday.

“Kardashian, wife of rapper Kanye West, later left France aboard a private jet from Le Bourget airport after speaking to investigators.

“Five attackers, wearing ski masks and clothes with police markings, struck inside the exclusive apartment block where Kardashian was staying while attending Paris Fashion Week.

“Two of the men entered Kardashian’s apartment after threatening the night guard with a hand gun and stole a box with $5.6-$6.7 million worth of jewels and a ring worth about 4 million Euros.’’

According her publicist, Ina Treciokas, “ Kardashian was discovered badly shaken but physically unharmed.

As news of the event spread, West abruptly ended a performance in New York less than an hour into his set.

The Paris apartment block is a discreet building behind the city’s Madeleine church, with several secret entrances, often frequented by movie and music stars who pay up to 15,000 euros a night.

The source said that the attackers fled on bicycles and Police found the night guard in the staircase, his hand and feet bound.

Kardashian was in Paris with her mother, Kris Jenner and her sisters, Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian, to attend the fashion week but the rest of the family stayed in a hotel.

The robbery set social media alight, with many users expressing disbelief at the latest headline-grabbing event in the life of a TV star whose life is continually documented on screen and the internet.

Paris had seen several armed robberies on high-end jewelry stores in recent months.

The armed robbery could add to worries about safety in Paris, hit by a series of attacks by Islamist militants last year.

Tourist numbers to what is traditionally the most visited city in the world, fell 6.4 percent in the first half of 2016 as many Asians and Americans stayed away.(REUTERS/NAN)

EPA/AMY

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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Independence: Gov. Lalong donates Cow, foodstuff to Pankshin Prison inmates

NAN-H-35

Donation

By Thompson Yamkput

Pankshin (Plateau), Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday donated a Cow and foodstuff to inmates of the Pankshin Prison as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 56^th Independence Anniversary.

Lalong told the inmates that his administration was concerned about the welfare of the people especially the less privileged and “inmates like you, who for one reason or another, unfortunately found themselves in confinement’.’

“These food items, blankets and the cow donated to you are part of this government’s activities to celebrate the nation’s 56^th Independence Anniversary with you, ’’ he said.

Represented by the state Commissioner of Health Commissioner, Dr Kuden Kamshak, the governor charged the imates to behave well and try to learn some trade which would make them become self reliant after their jail term.

Mr Timothy Dabit, Deputy Controller of Prisons, thanked the Governor and the Management Committee of Pankshin Local Government for the gesture which he said, would assist in the upkeep of the inmates.

Responding on behalf of the inmates, Mr Simon Dachi, thanked and assured the governor of their readiness to be of good behavior while in the prison and after.

Lalong also visited the Gneeral Hospital, Pankshin, and donated some items to the in-patients among whom were two women that were delivered of a baby boy and a baby girl, respectively.

Similary, Mrs Alice Dimlong, a member of the Plateau House of Assembly, representing Pankshin North Constituency, donated several bags of rice and maize among other foodstuff and clothing materials, to widows and the less privileged from 20 wards of the council.

Dimlong, who made the donation at the APC Council secretariat, said the gesture was to celebrate with them, the nation’s 56^th Independence Anniversary.

Mr Timothy Yilmukwa, APC Council Chairman, expressed appreciation for the gesture, which he described as timely considering the impact of recession on the people.

The Pankshin Council Chairman, Mr Stephen Jings, said the Buhari led administration was doing all it could to tackle the recession with good policies and programmes and bring the nation back to economic prosperity.

Jings, who doubles as the State ALGON Chairman, called on Nigerians to be patient with the administration, “as it is doing all it could to restore the nation’s lost glory”. (NAN)

TYC/AMY

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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-31

Refineries

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN ) Nigerian Air Force ( NAF) has some destroyed illegal refineries and barges in the Niger Delta, its spokesman Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday

“In its concerted efforts to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta region, NAF today destroyed illegal oil refineries and barges filled with petroleum products.

“The refineries and barges were sighted by NAF Diamond 42 aircraft on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission in Bille Community of Rivers.

“Thereafter, an Mi-24V helicopter gunship was called-in for attack,” Famuyiwa, who is the Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, said.

He described the operation as very successful and added that a similar operation was carried out with remarkable success earlier in the same location.

“These are clear signals to criminals operating in the South-South region as well as other parts of the country that it is no longer business as usual,” Famuyiwa said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the destruction of  illegal refining facilities by security agencies and their re-installation by oil thieves have become a regular occurrence in the Niger Delta. (NAN)
YI /JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-34

Team

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Yobe Ministry for Agriculture and Environment, says it has constituted a rapid response team to monitor and tackle locust swarms threatening harvest in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mustapha Gajerima, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Damaturu.

Gajerima said the ministry had sprayed many farmlands against the invasion of locusts and other pests
in six local local government areas – Damaturu, Yunusari, Bursari, Yusufari, Giedam and Machina.

“The ministry used motorised and manual methods to spray and tackle the swarms in good time before they invade the farms.

“In anticipation of possible outbreak of the pests, the state government made early preparation by procuring  chemicals and promptly spraying the affected areas,” he said.

The commissioner said the rapid response team would monitor movement of pests for quick response to check the menace.

He said the early preparations and other proactive measures taken by the state government had saved many farmlands from the menace.

“We are happy to have contained the pests and saved the farms for bumper harvest by our farmers which will boost food security and economy,” the commissioner said.

He also said that government would assist farmers by buying up the excess crops for the state Strategic Grains Reserve Programme.

“This will save farmers from Shylock marketers who will buy the grains at low prices, create artificial scarcity and sell at exhorbitant rates and cause inflation,” Gajerima said. (NAN)

MM/AMY

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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf