Blog

NAN-H-32
Victory
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct.1, 2016(NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has congratulated Edo State Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on his victory in the Gubernatorial election in the state, saying it was a victory well-deserved.

Ajimobi stated this in a congratulatory message made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka,

The governor also congratulated Edo State people for their resolve to give their mandate to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that the outcome of the keenly-contested election was a confirmation of the confidence which the people of the state had in APC as well as the present administration under the leadership of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.

The governor commended APC in the state for what he called a well-articulated and well-coordinated campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state which earned the party the victory at the poll.

Ajimobi assured the people of Edo State that Obaseki would not betray the confidence they reposed in him, describing the governor-elect as a good manager of men and resources.

He said that the governor-elect would build on the monumental achievements recorded by Oshiomhole through his people-oriented programmes, which had endeared him to the generality of the people of the state.

Ajimobi also called for continued support of the APC-led Federal Government in its determination to take the country out of its present economic doldrums.

He said that Nigerians would have cause to smile when the efforts began to yield fruits. (NAN)
TAA/AJA
========
(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-53
Cases
Jalingo, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Over 700 cases involving political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are pending in various Nigerian courts.

The National Financial Secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Alhaji Shuaibu Bobboi, made this known at a press conference on Saturday in Jalingo.

According to Bobboi, the cases are between various political parties on one hand, and between the political parties and INEC on the other.

He said that IPAC was working assiduously to seek for out-of-court settlement on majority of the cases.

“ We are working to see that majority of these cases are resolved out-of-court for the sake of unity and democratic development,” he said.

Bobboi, who is also the Returning Officer in IPACs executive’s election in the state, said the organisation was playing a key role in achieving a “balanced relationship between political parties”.

“ Our mandate is to seek for a balanced relationship between parties and to ensure that we provide effective advice to INEC on how to move our political system forward,” he said.

Bobboi, however, advised ruling parties across the country to avoid the politics of “winner takes all “.

“ My advice to all ruling parties is to try and carry the opposition along, especially when formulating policies that have direct bearing on the  lives of the people.

“ This country belongs to all of us. Therefore, we expect the government of the day to listen to constructive criticisms and not to molest the opposition,” he said. (NAN)

NB/DO/AMY

Edited by David Onilede and Abdullahi Yusuf

=================

NAN-H-31
Train
By Augusta Uchediunor
Lagos, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) in Lagos on Saturday organised a free train ride as part of celebrations to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day.

The NRC Lagos District Manager, Mr Jerry Oche, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the purpose of the exercise was to showcase the corporation’s rejuvenated train service.

“We organised this special independence train service to showcase that we are fully back on track.

“It was sponsored by Flour Mills Nigeria and Chellarams.

“We are also planning to organise trips like this to Abeokuta for sightseeing to the Olumo Rock,’’ Oche said.

Some of the fun seekers who thronged the corporation’s Iddo Terminus, told NAN that the ride was a befitting way to celebrate the country’s independence from colonial rule.

“The independence train ride is a good thing and NRC should always organise such rides for subsequent festivals.

“Although, this is not my first time on the train, I, however, appreciate this gesture because but for this, l would have been home watching cartoons.

“It has been so much fun, especially being with other children on the train,’’ nine-year-old Abdulmajeed Mohammed said,

Another passenger, 16 -year-old Daniel Umoh, described the ride as a memorable experience.

Umoh said, “There is no better way to celebrate the independence.’’

A traditional ruler in Isale Akoka, Lagos, Chief Olusegun Aroyewu, said that he brought his grandchildren to enjoy the special independence train ride to show them that Nigeria operated train services.

“I know that with the trains back on the track, Nigeria too will survive the recession period it is presently going through,’’ he said.
Aroyewu urged Nigerians to use the nation’s Independence Day to pray for the present administration to move forward,

Mrs Hannah Ogundipe told NAN that she chose to bring her grandchild to convince them that the country had a functional train service.

NAN reports that the train ride took off from the Ebute-Meta Junction in Lagos to Ijoko in Ogun State.

NAN also reports that the regular train ride costs N750 for children, while adults paid N1,500 for the same distance. (NAN)
ANU/COF/AJA
============

(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-52
Quota
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) The  FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello , has called on Nigerians to contribute their quota to efforts at making Nigeria great.

Bello made the call at the Parade and March Past to celebrate the nation’s 56th Independence Anniversary on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, there is no nation that grows without challenges.

“Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges in nation building that calls for our support.

“We should do all that we can do to build a strong nation to be among the 10 first strong economies in the world,”he said.

The minister said the present administration had been doing its best to provide the best for  FCT residents.

He, therefore, called on the residents to do their best in making Abuja one of the best capital cities in the World.

“This time gives us the opportunity for sober reflection on where we are coming from and where we are going.

“The economic recession we are in has come and will also go and will make us more determined and stronger,’’ he said.

Twenty five Senior, Junior Secondary and Primary schools participated in the march past.

Those who attended the ceremony included the Minister of State, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Sen. Bawa Bwari; Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu and  the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye.(NAN)

KM/DO/AMY

Edited by David Onilede and Abdullahi Yusuf

===============

NAN-H-48

Priority

Kazeem Akande,

Lagos, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Olu Onifade, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, University of Ibadan, has advised the Federal Government to give high priority to science subjects and Mathematics  in schools.

Onifade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that a policy pronouncement should be made on Science and Mathematics in order to enhance technological development in the country.

“Nigeria at 56, we have not yet arrived to the state of beating our chest that we have advanced in the technology sector.

“In order to improve the technology sector, government at all levels have to make Mathematics and Sciences key subjects in schools.

“We are in the process of getting there- where everything we do will be automated.

“Telephone and data services are improving gradually, but government should change people’s orientation by promoting the sector to encourage people in the sector.

“In 1977, the Indian government made policy of making sciences key subjects; the country is reaping the dividends now,” he said.

According to him, majority of people from other countries go to India for surgery and for other health-related cases.

The Don also appealed to the government to encourage teachers handling science subjects in terms of training.

He said that teachers should be well remunerated in order to discourage them from swapping to other professions.

He noted that majority of professionals in the education sector had changed their professions to other lucrative sectors.

Onifade said that such development had affected the advancement of technology in the country.

Dr Victor Akinola, the Director, Department of ICT, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Ijanikin (AOCOED), Lagos, also told NAN that serious intervention was needed in technology to advance the sector.

Akinola, who is the Head of ICT department of the college, advised the government to be proactive in developing the ICT sector to enhance speed and efficiency in the country.

“At 56, government ought to have improved the technology sector in such a way that it will enhance quick infrastructure development,” he said.

The lecturer said that at 56, Nigeria needed to improve strong policy on ICT in order to allow for rapid development in the sector. (NAN)

AKA/CJ/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Adamawa explains low-key 56th Independent Anniversary
NAN-H-47
Anniversary
By Yakubu Ubah
Yola, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Adamawa Government has said it observed a low-keyed independent anniversary based on the advice of the Federal Government.

A statement by Malam Ahmad Sajoh, the Adamawa Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the state government observed the 56^th anniversary by only engaging in special prayers.

Sajoh said that the state had caused for double celebration due to recovery of all the parts of the state occupied by insurgency.

“We in Adamawa state have every reason to be joyful at this period considering that it was in October that we witnessed our worst period when insurgents occupied part of our state.

“We therefore appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari and our gallant forces for reclaiming our land and restoring our dignity.

“The recapture of our lands makes our joy double at this point in time.

“As a government, we have heeded to the call by the president to observe a low-key event.

“We urged Adamawa citizens to observe special prayers on Friday the 30th of September in all mosques and Sunday the 2nd of October 2016 in all churches in the state .

He said Gov. Muhammadu Bindow felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of the state.

Sajoh also lauded the independence broadcast by Buhari, which he said, would rekindle hope in Nigerians.

He said that by identifying with the challenges Nigerians were facing, the president had shown that his administration was aware and is making effort to address the problems.

Sajoh noted that the promise by the president to revive the 12 River basins to boost food production was good news and a step in the right direction.

“I therefore urged Nigerians to have faith in the government and support our leaders to succeed in this onerous task of transforming the nation for good.” (NAN)
YMU/OFN

NAN-H-46

Muslims

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf  Aregbesola of Osun has enjoined Muslims to eschew unhealthy rivalry and anti-social behaviour capable of causing crisis in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, a media aide to the governor on Saturday in Osogbo, to  felicitate  with Muslims on the occasion of the new Hijrah (calendar), year 1438 AH.

The governor said  in the new year,  Muslims  should strive, as part of what Allah commanded them, to internalise the lessons of the essence of the Hijrah as exemplified by uncommon patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the face of hardship.

The governor  noted that the occasion was a vivid reminder of what Hijrah represented in the lives of Muslims, saying Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emigrated from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A. D. after the people of Makkah stressed his patience beyond its limit.

“As we celebrate the Hijrah this year, we should not let its real lesson, that of patience with steadfastness be lost on us.

“We say congratulations and happy New Year and we pray the Almighty Allah to grant the Ummah the opportunity of this celebration many years ahead and preserve Nigeria for us as a single, united, peaceful and progressive nation.

“We must remind ourselves that the role of the Muslim Ummah in the celebration of Hijrah year is to emulate the patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“The Prophet’s endurance and steadfastness eventually paid off in Madinah where he established an Islamic State which was based on truth and justice, which many nations of the world now emulate.

“We, therefore, use this medium to call on the Ummah to have spirit of forgiveness, promote peace and love; eschew rancour and bitterness; and be just and sincere.

“We equally call on the Ummah to be steadfast in promoting the message and virtues of Islam in this trying and challenging time of the Nigerian nationhood.

“We also reiterate our call to the Muslim faithful to  seek for Allah’s intervention in the economic challenges and insecurity threatening the country.

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

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

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola had adopted the day as official public holiday in the state on Nov. 15, 2012 and subsequently declared Oct. 3 as a public holiday in the state.(NAN)

VE/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-28
Charity
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Oct.1, 2016 (NAN) The Dominion Faith International Church in Ipaja, Lagos, on Saturday gave out no fewer than 2,000 pieces of clothing and other personal items to the less-privileged

The Church’s Project Committee Chairman, Mr Henry Nkatta, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the distribution was to some indigent Ipaja residents under its “Oct. 1 Cloth Drive Project’’.

Nkatta said the project was designed by the Church to identify with the less-privileged in the community in line with Biblical injunction and to commemorate Nigeria`s independence.

“The project is in its second year and no fewer than 4,500 people have benefitted from it so far.

“What we do is, every Oct. 1 we come out to give clothes, bags, shoes, and other personal items to people: men, women, children, who are less – privileged in our environment.

“There are so many people out there who cannot afford all these things; so it is just a gesture on our part to respond to these people in line with Biblical injunction to help the poor.

“We chose today, which is Independence Day, to make these people feel a sense of belonging to Nigeria and to send a message that we care about them,’’ he said.

The Church official said that, apart from distributing items to the market people in the area, the Church would also visit some orphanages to donate some items to orphaned children.

He said the community had been encouraging and supportive to the project and thanked the market leaders for helping to make it a success.

Nkatta appealed to the more-privileged in the society to help the poor, saying the world would be better if everybody was his brother`s keeper. (NAN)
BHB/COF/AJA
===========
(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

Independence Anniversary: Ajimobi pardons 10 prisoners

NAN-H-45
Amnesty
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to 10 prisoners from various prisons in the state in commemoration of the 56th Independence Anniversary of the country.

A statement signed by Mr Toye Arulogun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, on Saturday, said that he pardoned and released five of the prisoners serving various prison terms.

Arulogun said one of the prisoners had his sentence reduced to one year and six months from the initial two years and six months.

He said that three of the prisoners who had been on death row had their sentences commuted to 30 years while the remaining prisoner had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

“The objective of the exercise is to decongest the prison which had been a concern at the Security Council Meeting and to extend amnesty to deserving convicts who have shown good behaviour over the years of their incarceration,’’ he said.

The power of Prerogative of Mercy is conferred on the Executive Governor, under Section 212(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

“Under Section 212(1) of the Constitution, the Governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute a severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for the convicts,” he stressed,” he said. (NAN)
TAA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-26
Change
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Oct.1, 2016 (NAN) As Nigeria marks its 56th Independence Anniversary, a Rights Group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on Nigerians to have a change of attitude and to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan.

Akintola said that the President needed the support of Nigerians and prayer to deliver the dividends of democracy.

He said that Nigerians needed to embrace the change phenomenon.

The MURIC director called on the National Assembly in particular, to rise from, what he termed, “their deep slumber’’ and give full support to the war against corruption.

“NASS must put the necessary machinery in motion to ensure speedy trial of corrupt persons.

“We remind Nigerians that the onus today is on the citizens to take the cue from the current transparent leadership.

“We have blamed Nigeria’s woes on bad leadership for a long time and we have never been truly independent as we wobbled and fumbled in the shackles of corruption.

“What is expected of Nigerians as a serious people now that we have a good leader, is that the citizens too should embrace change.

“We must turn a new leaf to liberate ourselves from socio-economic predators and corrupt politicians, who subject us to acute penury by looting our common wealth,’’ he said.

Akintola congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad for witnessing this great day.

He said they had cause to rejoice as they had seen palpable signs of change in spite of the current economic recession.

The MURIC director recounted that more than 11highly-placed politicians and army generals had been arrested and were remanded in prison for corrupt practices.

He said that government’s two initiatives, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN), had helped achieves a higher level of transparency.

“The two initiatives have exposed thousands of ghost workers and forced many looters to abandon their money in commercial banks for fear of being traced and punished,’’ Akintola said. (NAN)
SYS/COF/AJA
===========

(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)