Blog

NAN-H-26

Tourism

Argungu (Kebbi), Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State Government on Friday said it would revive and promote the tourism sector for socio-economic development of the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Alh Samaila Yombe, announced this in Argungu while inspecting the Argungu fishing village located in Argungu Local Government Area.

He said government had earmarked certain amount of money for rehabilitation of the village.

“All structures in this fishing village will be renovated,” Yombe said.

He said that additional rooms and sports arenas would be built in the village with a view to accommodating tourists and visitors who would come to the state.

“We received thousands of visitors during the annual Argungu international fishing and cultural festival,” he said.

The deputy governor directed those using the fishing village as temporary accommodation to vacate the place so that renovation work could begin immediately.

He said that the state government was planning to host the popular Argungu international fishing and cultural festival in 2017 “since security situation has improved nationwide”.

He described tourism as one of the important sectors that generate revenue, employment and provide leisure to the people.

He added that government would not relent in promoting tourism.

Yombe said government would ensure that all existing tourism sites, like the Argungu fishing village, Girmace shrine in Zuru, Uhola festival and the Fulani hottungo festival were revived and given deserved attention. (NAN)

BKD/AIB/MTM/

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/controlled by Tukur Muntari

NAN-H-10
Outsourcing
By Chinyere Bassey
Abuja, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) Mr Babatunde Olatunji, the newly elected President of workers in the chemical and non-metallic products industry, on Friday promised to tackle workers’ outsourcing challenges among other industry issues.

Olatunji made the promise during his acceptance speech after being elected President, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLAMNPE) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olatunji took over from Mr Boniface Isok.

He said that he would maintain a cordial relationship with employers to improve workers’ welfare.

Olatunji regretted that thousands of Nigerian workers had lost their jobs due to economic recession.

“We will maintain relationship that will sustain the jobs of workers. We will tackle challenges facing enhancement of workers welfare,’’ he promised.

According to him, the new executives of the union will ensure that projects uncompleted by their predecessors are completed.

“We will ensure continuity.’’

He called on those who did not succeed in the election to work with the new executives for unity and strength of the union.

NAN reports that Olatunji got 272 votes to defeat Mr Lazarus Opara, who got 60 votes in the election in which 337 delegates from the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja participated.

The News Agency of Nigeria Mr Isiaku Musa and Emmanuel Abutor emerged deputy national presidents in the election monitored by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Nine people contested for the post of national vice-president but the four elected are: Mr Ganiu Olajide, Mr Sabo Kabiru, Mr Daniel Akanadu and Mr Olawoyin Olufemi.

Mr Sunday Bolarinwa was elected treasurer, Mr Boniface Ijoko deputy treasurer, while Mrs Emilia Orok, Elija Oto, Aziz Sadiq and Abdullahi Hassan emerged the union’s trustees.

The immediate past President, Isok, congratulated the new president, and urged him to uphold the union’s constitution.

He also advised Olatunji to complete projects that would help his administration to generate revenue.(NAN)
CHIN/COF/IGO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-ELS-11
Recovered
Rome, Sept.30, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Italian police have recovered two paintings by the Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh that were stolen in Amsterdam 14 years ago.
The recovery was part of an operation against the Camorra mafia group that operates around Naples.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam said the paintings had been removed from their frames but appeared to have suffered only slight damage.
It was not immediately clear when they would be returned to the museum, which is the largest repository of Van Gogh’s work.
The paintings, “Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen” (1884/1885) and “View of the Sea at Scheveningen” (1882) are both from relatively early in Van Gogh’s short, tempestuous career.
Italian financial police seized “assets worth tens of millions of Euros from a Camorra group involved in international cocaine trafficking”, according to a statement.
They said the assets included the paintings, which were “priceless”.
“They’re safe,” said Van Gogh Museum director Axel Rueger said in a statement.
“I no longer dared to hope that I could ever say that, after so many years.”
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi informed his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, about the police operation before the funeral in Jerusalem of former Israeli leader Shimon Peres, a source in Renzi’s office said.
In the 2002 heist, thieves used a ladder to climb onto the museum’s roof and break into the building, escaping by sliding down a rope.
Two men were later caught and convicted of the theft;  thanks in part to DNA evidence linking them to the scene.
They were sentenced to 4 years and 4 years six months, respectively, but the paintings were not recovered.
The Scheveningen painting is one of only two sea scenes Van Gogh painted in the Netherlands, and “an important example of Van Gogh’s earliest painting style, in which he already appeared rather unique”, the museum said.

The museum said a patch of paint in the lower left corner had been chipped off.
The painting of the Nuenen congregation where Van Gogh’s father worked as minister, was made for his mother and finished after his father’s death in 1885.
It appears undamaged but further investigation is needed to determine both paintings’ exact condition and restoration needs, the museum said.(Reuters/NAN)
ERO/BOS (C0ntrolled by Dele Bodunde)
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NAN-H-9
Land-grabbers
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences says it has arrested five suspected land-grabbers operating in Lekki and Ajah areas of Lagos.
Chairman of the task force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspects were arrested on Thursday in conjunction with the state task force on land grabbing.
”We acted on save our soul messages sent by members of the community who were chased away from their land with dangerous weapons by the land grabbers.
“The leader of the gang, who refused to disclose their godfathers, claimed they had been operating around Lekki-Ajah for about 15 years,” said the task force chairman.
In a related development, the police in Lagos said the three suspected land grabbers arrested in August have been charged to court for violating the state anti-grabbing law.
The police spokesperson in the state, SP Dolapo Badmos, said that land grabbing was an offence in Lagos State and warned that anyone caught would be prosecuted.
“The Lagos State Police Command will continue to enforce all laws of the land and anyone violating the laws, irrespective of the offender’s personality, will be prosecuted,” Badmos said.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State had on Aug. 5, 2016, assented to the law prohibiting land grabbing in the state. (NAN)
MIO/MNA/WOJ
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-DS-1

Security

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Sokoto, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps ( NSCDC), said it had mobilised 300 of its personnel for peaceful Independence day celebration in the state.

Alhaji Aliyu Babangida, the Commandant of the Corps, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Friday.

He said that the command would also deploy 10 well-armed patrol vehicles to monitor the festivities against any security threat.

“We will do everything humanly possible to sustain the peaceful nature the seat of Caliphate is known for, through well-coordinated security measures,” he said.

He added that the command had deployed plain cloth security personnel to public buildings; recreation centres and motor parks for the build-up effort toward security situation in the state.

Babangida urged the people in the state to furnish the command with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals in the area.( NAN)
AAG/DUA/MTM
Edited by Dada Ahmed/controlled by Tukur Muntari.
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NAN-H-4

Election

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) The Secretary General, Textile Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Mr Issa Aremu, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the Edo State governorship election.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna, Aremu ”also hails Mr Godwin Obaseki the winner in an election globally adjudged to be transparent, free and fair”.

It also acknowledged the role of other stakeholders including the contestants, political parties and security agents for cooperating with INEC at ensuring a peaceful election.

“We commends the good people of Edo State for turning out to vote the candidates of their choice and in particular for their abiding faith in democracy and the progressive direction of the Comrade Governor (Gov. Adam Oshiomhole of Edo). With such high participation, all Edo people are winners,” it stated.

The statement quoted Aremu as ”saluting the union members, market women, students, traders, professional bodies, applicants and people from all works of life who identified with the continuity of progressive and development governance in Edo State by voting the candidate of the APC”. (NAN)

TJ/IS/MTM/

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/controlled by Tukur Muntari.

NAN-H-3
Magnanimity
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, Sept. 30, 2016 (NAN) The President of the Nigeria Welding Institute, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has congratulated Mr Godwin Obaseki for winning the Edo governorship election.

In a statement in Benin on Friday, Edebiri also congratulated the people of the state for participating in a peaceful poll.

“ I want to join all the well meaning sons and daughters of Edo land, along with the numerous friends of Edo to congratulate you on your election as the governor-elect.

“I have no doubt in my mind that come Nov. 12, you will commence the process of repositioning Edo State, ensuring that you do not abort the ongoing projects.

“As you embark on another progressive journey for Edo, be rest assured of our support where and when needed at all times,’’ he said.

Edebiri, who was a PDP aspirant in the primaries, added that everyone was victorious in the election.

“For me, whether your party lost or won, you are all winners. Indeed we all won.

“I urge the victors to be moderate in celebration and those on the other side to take the result in good faith,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOO/MVO
(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)

1.IBADAN ZONE
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1. The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, rules on Gov. Ayo Fayose against EFCC and Zenith Bank over the freezing of his private accounts.

2. The Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Christian Wing, holds its quarterly prayer session on the state of the Nation.

3.The Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, holds a special Jumat service to commemorate Nigeria’s 56th independence, Jokotoye to cover.

4. Training workshop, organised by South Saharan Social Development Organisation for the physically challenged holds in Enugu.

5. The 3rd National Conference of Crop Science Society of Nigeria holds in Nsukka.

6. Gov. Lalong of Plateau in Jos meets with manufacturers in Plateau.
7.Gov. Al-Makura of Nasarawa state holds media chat with journalists and inaugurates e-library project.

8.Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo visits Zamfara.

9. Olu of Warri conferred chieftaincy titles on some distinguished persons in Warri.

10. Sitting of Farmers/Herders Panel of Enquiry set up by Adamawa Government holds in Yola.

11.News conference by the Redeemed Christian Church of God comes at Akute, Lagos.

12. ‘The City of Lagos Monopoly Competition’ holds at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

13. The second Top Sprinter and Lagos Relays Competition continues at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

14.The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation meets with stakeholders on value Re-Orientation,

15. House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change meets.

16. Techher innovations, an innovation incubating organisation, holds public meeting at the British Council from 9 in Abuja.

17. Three Matches to be played in the ongoing 2016 FCT Super League at the Area 3 football pitch, Abuja.

18. Capital City Dove Football Club to face Delta Queens Football Club in the Match 12 of the ongoing Nigeria Women Football League, Abuja.

19. Nigeria’s female national team Flamingoes play their Brazilian counterparts in teams first match at FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan–Desk with reactions.

20.The Central Bank of Nigeria seminar for finance reporters and editors ends at Osborne la Palm hotel, Abakaliki.

21. The Abuja International Trade Fair opens .

22.A symposium organised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria , Abuja.

23.National Primary Healthcare Development Agency addresses news conference in Abuja on the outbreak of polio virus in part of North-East of the country.

24.Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court continues hearing in a case of alleged recruitment scam filed against the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro.

25.An FCT High Court continues hearing in an alleged corruption charge against AVM Alkali Mamu, a former Air Officer Training Command and a member of the Committee for Procurement, Ministry of Defence.

26.The National Industrial Court hears a case of alleged unlawful termination of appointment filed by an aggrieved member of staff against the Nigeria Immigration Service.

27.An FCT High Court, Apo, continues hearing in a case of alleged breach of trust filed against a 42-year-old contractor, Yinka Adeniyi.
28.The Supreme Court to give reasons for its decisions on Abia and Sokoto governorship appeals.

Independence: Police advises Sokoto residents to be security conscious

Nigeria @56: Peace advocate calls for national harmony

NAN-H-2

Peace

By Ajibola Olaniyi

Osogbo, Sep.30, 2016(NAN) A peace advocate, Mr Olaniyi Owolabi, on Friday called for national harmony as Nigeria clocks 56 years on Saturday.

Owolabi, the Executive Director, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace & Harmony in Africa Initiative(ADAPHAI) said that only national peace and harmony would sustain Nigeria.

He maintained that in spite of the cultural plurality and diverse socio-political backgrounds, the country could still build a virile and indivisible nation with harmonious co-existence.

According to him, the journey of 56 years as a nation-state should be enough to unite all interests to and form a formidable entity.

“No nation survives economically and enjoys stable political system without sustainable harmony with aggregated interests.

“The technical defeat of Book Haram in the North-East and the frantic efforts of the military to curtail militancy in the Niger Delta are commendable and laudable.”

The peace advocate enjoined political leaders to be accountable and responsive at all times in order not to provoke violent resentment from the citizenry and by implication polarise the nation.

He also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and national interest, adding that the country needs the cooperation of Nigerians to overcome many of its challenges.

“As we are celebrating the 56th year of our existence as a nation-state, we should be conscious of those factors that will sustain us on all fronts.

“Obviously, there is need for national harmony, where every interest is aggregated and articulated for common goals and aspirations.

“It is instructive to know that no nation survives and attains enviable political and economic condition with unaggregated interests and polarised system.

“I am optimistic that our country will definitely surmount the present socio-economic challenges, if all hands are on deck,” Owolabi said. (NAN)

DOO/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo