Blog

NAN-H-3

Injury

By Emmanuel Afonne

Abuja, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) Injured Rangers Int’l FC forward Ifeanyi Egwim is currently receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, the team’s General Manager, Paul Ozor, said on Monday.

Ozor made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Egwim suffered a broken leg in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2015/2016 season deciding encounter.

The match, watched by Ugwuanyi and some of his cabinet members, was played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe     Stadium, Enugu, with Rangers humiliating El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri 4-0.

Egwim, who replaced Ocheme Edoh in the 83rd minute, had meandered the opponent’s defence line, heading toward the goal post in the 88th minute when  goalkeeper Kazeem crashed on him, breaking his leg in the process.

After a close examination, medical personnel quickly called in the ambulance which immediately rushed him to hospital.

The dangerous kick by the goalkeeper earned him a red card from the centre referee.

Ozor told NAN that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi  had expressed his willingness to abroad for the best medical treatment and that he had visited  the player in hospital.

He, however, said that the hospital authorities were confident that the case was not beyond their competence.

“The governor saw the wound  and expressed his willingness to fly him out but the doctors here say they can handle it. So, we are still contemplating.”

According to him, the medical personnel are in the process of performing preliminary surgery to prevent possible infection, if the need to fly him out arises.

Meanwhile, Rangers defensive midfielder Charles Agbo, also told NAN in a separate interview that the governor had promised to fly Egwim  abroad and to foot the bill.

“He is in the hospital right now but we thank God it is not death.

“With the help of our governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who said he will fly him out for treatment, we hope he will be fit to play football again,” Agbo said.

Agbo,  younger brother to the Granada FC and Super Eagles new invitee Uche Agbo, noted that Egwim’s injury had cut short Rangers celebration of the NPFL title win.

“Rangers players and management are in sober mood in spite winning the title after 32 years; celebration is on our mind but we can’t express it because of Egwim’s injury.

“However, I thank Coach Imama Amapakabo for finding me worthy to make the Rangers team; I only played Pro League before he (Imama) spotted me.

“I am happy to be among the players that won the title but the celebration has been cut short,” Agbo added.

The victory took Rangers to 63 points from 38 matches, three ahead of challengers Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt who were 2-1 winners over Akwa United in Uyo. (NAN)

EMAF/NKO/NKO

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(Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo)

 
NAN-H-49
League
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Oct, 2, 2016 (NAN) Warri Wolves Football Club of Delta on Sunday defeated Ikorodu Utd of Lagos 1-0 in the last day of the 2015/2016 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
 
The match which was one of the Week 38 encounter was played at the Warri Township stadium.
 
The victory, however, gave the home side 45 points to end the league season.
 
The victory may not have been good for the home team which before the match was already at the relegation zone on the league table alongside Ikorodu and MFN Football Clubs.
 
A penalty kick from Sikiru Alimi of Warri Wolves at the 35th minute separated both teams in the tension-soaked encounter.
 
An Ikorodu defender was fouled for touching the ball with his hands at their 18 yard box.
 
Though it was not clear if Warri Wolves would scale through the hurdle, but results of matches in other centres would determine that.
 
But if they are relegated, this will be the first time it will happen to the team, created in 2007.
 
The Warri Wolves was derived from the former NPA Football Club, managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
 
Fans were not happy following rumours of results emanating from other centres, though remained calm following the armed policemen and soldiers deployed to maintain breakdown of law and order.
 
Both teams made three substitutions, while the under-pressure Warri Wolves were served two yellow cards, the visitors collected one yellow card.
 
However, the coaches of both teams could not speak to newsmen at the end of the game as they all moved straight into the dressing room. (NAN)
EDI/AMM/EEE
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Ese E. Ekama

NAN-44

NiMet

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Monday morning.

NiMet made this known in its Weather Outlook issued by the Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday.

The agency said that isolated thundery activities would prevail over Makurdi, Bauchi, Jos, Mambilla Plateau, Yola and Jalingo in the afternoon and evening with day time temperatures of 28 to 33 degrees Celsius.

NiMet predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with day time temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees Celsius.

According the agency, there are prospects of localised rains over Osogbo, Akure, Port Harcourt,  Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ado-Ekiti, Eket, Shaki, Calabar, Ikom, Ogoja, Lagos and Yenegoa in the afternoon and evening period.

NiMet predicted that northern states would experience partly cloudy to sunny conditions with chances of cloudy skies over Kano, Katsina and Gusau in the morning.

It added that partly cloudy to sunny conditions would prevail across the entire region later in the day with day time temperatures of 31 to 42 degrees Celsius.

NiMet said that sunny to partly cloudy conditions were expected over majority of cities with chances of rainfall activities over few places in the southern part in the next 24 hours. (NAN)

OYS/AMM/OFN

By Abiemwense Moru// Felix Nwadioha

Speed liming device : FRSC tickets 2,800 commercial vehicles nationwide

NAN-H-43
Device
By Angela Atabo

Abuja Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) Dr Boboye Oyeyemi , Corps Marshal,Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said that 2,800 commercial vehicles nationwide were ticketed at the beginning of the enforcement of the speed liming device nationwide.

A statement signed by Mr Bisi Kazeem, Head Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Oyeyemi said the enforcement was not to inflict pain on motorists and road users .

Oyeyemi said the enforcement was rather for commercial vehicle owners to voluntarily imbibe the culture of its usage and key into it.

He said the advisory enforcement the corps started with was a sort of subtle force that entailed stopping commercial vehicles, verifying electronically whether the devise was fixed.

Oyeyemi said that citations were given to offenders for corrective purposes.

He expressed satisfaction with the advisory enforcement of speed limiting device nationwide as 2,800 commercial vehicles were issued tickets at th the beginning

“The exercise is also known as free safety checks.

“In the coming days, the leadership of the organised transport unions such as NURTW, NUPENG PTD, NARTO, RTEAN LUBOAN shall be involved in the advisory enforcement by joining FRSC top officers to patrol,” he said

He, therefore, advised commercial vehicle operators to continually patronise the devise as there was no going back on its full and real enforcement come January 2017. (NAN).
ATAB/OFN

Edited Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-5
Rangers
Abakaliki, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) Former Rangers International FC of Skipper and Coach, Christian Chukwu, says the club has returned to the pinnacle of Nigerian domestic football league with the team’s league triumph on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers beat El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, to win its first domestic title since 1984.

Chukwu, who coached the team to the 1984 triumph, noted that his joy could not be quantified as past memories of missed opportunities had been erased.

“Enugu has experienced painful 32 years wait for this experience and the team should be commended for taking the club and state to the pinnacle of Nigerian football.

“I have not felt happy like this for a long time and I can say that such applies to the ex-players, officials of the team and the fans who thronged to the stadium to witness this spectacle,’’ he said.

The then Technical Director of the team attributed the success to God’s grace, hard work, unity, discipline and tremendous support from the state government and well wishers.

“The players exhibited unparalled level of discipline and believed right from the first day that they could make history.

“The team will take a deserved rest and commence earnest preparations to defend the trophy and participate equitably in next season’s CAF Champions League.

“The team will be fortified to plug noticeable areas of defects while organisational capacity will be enhanced for optimum performance,’’ the former Green Eagles Skipper said.

Chukwu said that the performances of Rangers and other teams in the league showed that the salvation of the Super Eagles lay with home-based players.

“There are abundant talents in the Nigerian league and the national team selectors should switch their interest to the home front and give the players the same opportunities as their foreign-based counterparts,’’ he said. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-9

Grant

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has approved the release of N797 million take-off grant for the 31 newly created Local Council Developments Areas (LCDAs), Area Councils and Administrative Offices in the state.

In a statement issued Sunday in Osogbo through his media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor also approved  stabilisation funds for the  30 existing local government areas in the state.

Aregbesola  gave the break down as N15 million to each of the 31LCDAs; N9 million to each of the 3 Area Councils and N5 million to each of the 2 Administrative Offices

He said N10 million  would be given to each of the 30 Local Government areas as stabilisation fund.

He urged the leadership of  LCDAs and LGAs to ensure rapid development of the state, which, according to him, “is the main objective of the creation of the council areas” .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Aregbesola had on March 8, announced the creation of 31 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), in addition to the existing 30 Local Government Areas in the state.

The governor, in a state-wide broadcast in Osogbo, had also announced the creation of three Area Councils and Two Administrative offices.(NAN)

VE/MA/ASH

NAN-H-40

Holiday

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has declared Monday, Oct. 3 as public holiday to mark the Islamic New Year, 1438 AH, which begins on Monday.

He made the declaration on Sunday at the 1438 Hijrah Grand Rally organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) at Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oct. 3 is the lunar month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar.

The Islamic year calendar had started counting in 622 AD after the emigration of Prophet Muhammed from Mecca to Medina in Saudi-Arabia.

Ajimobi stated that Hijrah, the beginning of the new year in the Islamic calendar was another opportunity for Muslims worldwide to reflect on their past and channel a new way of life.

“Hijrah symbolises a new beginning. It is the state of improving on the past into a new status. Hijrah began when the holy Prophet Muhammed migrated from Mecca to Medina,” he said.

He enjoined Muslims to exhibit good character towards their neighbours, saying it was the only way their prayers could be answered by God.

Ajimobi urged parents to give their wards proper upbringing and mentoring, as it was the only way to prepare them for greater heights in life.

Speaking on education, the governor said that the new education policy to be implemented in the state would be all-inclusive.

To this end, he noted that all stakeholders would be involved in the implementation and supervision of the schools.

He assured the people of his administration’s determination to improve the standard of education in the state through the employment of quality personnel and standard facilities.

Ajimobi commended the Muslim community in the state for their unflinching support at all times.

Dr Sakariyau Babalola, the Deputy President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Muslims to use the occasion of Hijrah to reflect on their past deeds.

Babalola, who was represented by Alhaji Afeez Timehin, his Personal Assistant said that reflecting on their past deeds would enable them to improve on their attitudes in line with the virtues of the holy prophet.

Earlier, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi, the Coordinator, NACOMYO, Oyo State chapter, appealed to the governor to also declare the first day of Muharram as public holiday in the state.

Afolabi said that the theme for the year’s Hijrah; “Recession or Depression: Islam Holds the Hope’’, was timely.

“At a time like this when the nation is faced with economic recession, and the Islamic nations have been turned to theatres of war, we need to resort to prayers like the holy prophet did for Saudi-Arabia.’’

Afolabi stated that there was the issue of hijab across the world, but expressed joy that many more important non-Muslims were embracing Islam on daily basis.

“Simon Collis, the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia has accepted Islam and performed hajj this year with his wife.

“I appeal to those who are still sitting on the fence to embark on the Noah’s Ark of the time in accepting Islam,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the event featured match past by Islamic schools across the state.

NAN also reports that the event was attended by the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, Secretary to Oyo State Government, Alhaji Ishmael Alli, Sen. Adesoji Akanbi, and a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.

Others are; Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo, Prof. Kamil Oloso, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Iya Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Segilola Badmus and hosts of other dignitaries. (NAN)

TAA/AMM/EEE

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Ese E. Ekama

Nigeria at 56: financial experts point way forward for capital market growth

NAN-HE-6

Market

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) As Nigeria marks it’s 56th independence anniversary, some financial experts have advised the Federal Government to pursue economic policies that will boost liquidity in the financial system.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that the right economic policies would bring about the much needed liquidity and restore investor confidence in the capital market.

Dr Uche Uwaleke, the Head of Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said that the Nigerian stock market,  established in 1960, was still fraught with a number of challenges like lack of depth and breadth.

Uwaleke said that faithful implementation of the 2016 budget together with monetary and fiscal stimulus packages were necessary to boost market liquidity in the near term.

“The CBN monetary policy tightening which reduces liquidity and pushes up interest rates is another negative influence on the stock market,” he said.

Uwaleke said that government, challenged by revenue shortfall, should borrow from concessional sources such as the World Bank and China Exim Bank instead of attempting to sell stakes in state-owned companies.

He said that the borrowed funds should be committed to employment generating activities such as agriculture and infrastructure.

“It is also important that the Niger Delta militants are invited to a roundtable with a view to halting disruptions in oil production as resorting to force will be counter-productive.”

Uwalekr advised that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should complement these efforts by scaling up its development finance functions targeting agriculture and SMEs in particular.

“Funds earmarked for this purpose should be channeled to beneficiaries at single digit interest rates through the development banks like Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture, instead of commercial banks.

“By so doing, jobs will be created, the economy will rebound with positive effects on the nation’s stock market,” Uwaleke said.

He said that performance of the stock market over the years underscored the fact it was not delinked from the macro economy.

“It has witnessed booms and burst cycles in response to oil price volatility.

“Given the country’s mono product economy, the market has been bullish for most of the time following rising oil prices and bearish when oil prices decline.

“The worst period in recent history was during the global financial crises when the stock market lost over 60 per cent of its value in 2008/2009,” he said.

Prof Sheriffadeen Tella of the Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said that the market had not really grown over the years in terms of modus operandi.

Tella said the market had moved from analogue to digitised operations, but was still shallow in terms of the number and calibre of firms that were listed on it.

“Most firms on the stock exchange are local rather than international. So, there is the need to reform the exchange to attract or encourage listing by foreign or international businesses to increase its depth,” Tella said.

Mr Sola Oni, the Chief Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications, said that the major challenge militating against the capital market was lack of liquidity leading to underutilisation relative to its capacity.

“It is now compelling more than ever for the Federal Government to demonstrate the political will to work very closely with the capital market regulators and operators on ways to encourage multinational companies to be quoted on the exchange to deepen the market.

Government can grant them tax holiday of about three years and ensure patronage of their products and services by all government agencies,” Oni said.

He said that government should not force companies to be listed, but lure companies through mutually beneficial methods, particularly companies in the telecommunications and upstream sectors of the oil industry.

He said that the time had come for the government to accelerate the development of the economy through the inherent potential in the capital market.

Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Consulting Ltd., expressed dissatisfaction with low patronage of retail investors in the market estimated at less than four per cent.

Omordion said that government should make investment education compulsory in secondary and primary schools to enhance investment In the capital market.

He also called for the right operating business environment to encourage growth of businesses in the country.

Omordion advised that government should encourage PENCOM, Sovereign Trust Fund and other agencies to invest in the market.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Stock Exchange lost N1.025 trillion in market capitalisation in the last one year due to unfriendly regulatory policies.

Consequently, the market capitalisation, which stood at N10.728 trillion on Sept.30, 2015, lost N1.025 trillion or 9.55 per cent by the close of trading on Sept. 30, 2016 to stand at N9.703 trillion.

Also, the All-Share Index dipped by 2,970.21 points or 9.51 per cent by the close of trading on Sept. 30, 2016 at 28,247.56 against 31,217.77 posted in September 2015. (NAN)
JNC/TA
Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

Independence: Cleric prays against bloodshed in Nigeria
NAN-H-38
Nigeria
By Martha Agas
Jos, Oct. 2, 2016 (NAN) Pastor Paul Ojoh of the Shepherd House Assembly International, Jos,  has prayed against bloodshed in Nigeria as the nation celebrates its  56th Independence Anniversary.

Ojoh said the prayer on Sunday in the Church’s  special service to commemorate the Independence Day.

Delivering a  sermon entitled:  `The Voice of the Lord`, the cleric attributed the slow  pace of development of the nation over the years to  bloodshed

He said that crisis in the Plateau, the North-East and other parts of the country had threatened the enabling environment needed for development as it involved a lot of blood letting.

According to him, this has also led to  inadequate access to basic amenities of life by the people.

He listed  “major voices fighting against the glory of Nigeria”  to include  hardship, poverty, fear, intimidation and the voice of bloodshed and suicide.

The clergyman also expressed worry that Nigerians  had put their hope on men instead of in God.

“If you desire to experience rapid development, you must take your eyes off the government and put it on God and yourself,’’ he warned.

He  advised Nigerians to acquire other skills and multiply their  sources of income to be able to cope with the economic hardships.

” People have to make conscious efforts to improve themselves in whatever they do either in business, academia or as professionals.

“Read books to improve  yourselves because readers are equipped to be leaders in their endeavours,’’ he said.

The cleric, then, prayed for wisdom for the leaders of the country at all levels and charged them to discharge their duties with commitment and fear of God.(NAN)

MAA/ECN/AMY

Edited By Emmanuel Nwoye and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-37

Peace

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, Oct.2, 2016 (NAN) Mr Patrick Oguejiofor, a poet says the collection of poems; “Maiduguri Requiems” is a call for peace in Nigeria, especially in the North East and other parts of the country experiencing crisis.

Oguejiofor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that he was inspired to write the poem to commemorate Nigeria’s 56^th Independence Anniversary.

He said that he was moved to make the call because of the desolation, disillusionment, shattered dreams and the senseless killing of innocent Nigerians and a “motherland hanging on the precipice’’.

“It was inspired by my friends, fellow countrymen and associates who perished in the carnage of Boko Haram and the Niger Delta Avengers.’’

Oguejiofor said that the poems were an embodiment of the voice of a Nigerian, angry at the senseless waste of lives, and resources in a country so rich with natural resources.

“Nigeria was once a nation with beautiful cities that serenely housed individuals from different parts of the country as well as sub-Saharan Africa, but we now live in a period of political, economic and social uncertainty.

“And these are some of the reasons of increasing fear in our communities, families, and individual lives, and the average man and woman feel abandoned by society and the government.’’

Oguejiofor, who is also the former chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Abuja chapter said “I believe that an act of peace a day will start a chain reaction of positive transformation in our country’’.

“We can transform how we address ourselves and how we treat each other and just a daily habit of `one act of peace will help change the world we live in.’’

He called for the creation of memorials for the innocent ones that lost their lives in Boko Haram attacks as well as the Niger Delta Avengers.

“Serious tragedies take place and at the end of it, everything is forgotten and this is why the Maiduguri Requiems are written to set a world memorial for the victims,’’ he said.

NAN reports that “Maiduguri Requiems’’ is a collection of poems written by the author to draw attention to the senseless killing of innocent people and the need for Nigerians to live in peace. (NAN)

EPA/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama