Blog

Wase
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has expressed shock over the death of Nigeria’s ambassador to Qatar, Abdullahi Bawa Wase.

Onyeama, in a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile on Saturday in Abuja, prayed that God grant Wase’s family and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.

Wase, a non-career ambassador, had been ill for a while until his death on Friday Sept. 14.

The late Ambassador would be buried in Doha at 7.00pm local time on Saturday, Sept. 15.

Wase was appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari in July 2016.

He hailed from Plateau State. (NAN)
IAA/KTO/IS
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ismail Abdulaziz

Maku warns politicians against divisive tendencies

Warning

Lafia, Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) Mr. Labaran Maku, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has warned politicians against creating division among Christians and Muslims in Nasarawa.

Maku, a former Minister of Information and governorship aspirant of APGA in the state, gave the warning on Saturday at a fundraising ceremony at the Assemblies of God Church in Lafia.

According to him, the political class is responsible for the religious dichotomy currently going on in the state.

He explained that prior to the return of democracy in 1999, Christians, Muslims and the traditional worshippers relate freely with one other, but regretted that the trend was fast eroding.

“We had a situation where both Muslims and Traditionalists visit the houses of Christians during Christmas and other festivities and eat freely and they also exchange gifts.

“So also Christians will visit Muslims during Sallah celebrations.

“But today, all these virtues and show of love has varnished just because of bad politics being played by bad politicians,” he said.

The former minister said that the religious divisions were being promoted by desperate politicians who hide under the guise of religion to perpetrate evil.

He promised to return the state to its lost glory when he became the governor in 2019.

“If I become the governor in 2019, I shall return Nasarawa State to its old good days.

“I will give to Caeser what belongs to Caeser, and to God what belongs to Him. I will ensure nobody is marginalised irrespective of his or her tribal or religious affiliation,” he pledged.

Maku also warned members of the public against vote selling and urged them to vote according to their conscience in 2019.

He urged religious leaders to ensure adequate voters education among their members. (NAN)

SDJ/AZA/MNA
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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Maureen Atuonwu

Sen. David Mark visits IBB in Minna

NAN-H-
Sen. Mark

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Sept.15,2018 ( NAN) Sen.David Mark , has arrived Minna, capital of Niger State to hold a private meeting with the former military President Ibrahim Babangida.

The meeting lasted for two hours at the Hilltop residence of the former military ruler.

NAN reports that Sen.David Mark arrived at about 1.30pm  in company of  Sen. Zainab Kure, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha and Sen.Suleman Adokwe, current chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation.

The 70 year-old Mark, who has been in the senate since 1999, obviously came to discuss his presidential ambition with Babangida, who had hosted several other aspirants. Among them were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Attahiru Bafarawa, Sule Lamido and Ahmed Makarfi, all contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party platform.

Said one of Mark’s aides who didn’t want his name mentioned: ” Yes my boss is discussing with IBB. First to brief him and seek  his prayers and support for the task ahead”.

Sen. Zainab Kure, who is the director general David Mark Presidential Campaign Organisation told NAN that Mark is a good material needed to reposition the country for optimal growth.

“He was a former military Governor, communications Minister and senate president of the Federal Republic. So he possesses all the required political acumen to lead our country “,she said.

Zainab also hoped that the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) would conduct a free, fair and credible election.

” I am appealing to all  eligible Nigerians to support the  electoral processes to enable the commission discharge its constitutional mandate “, she said.

She said that the task to ensure a peaceful conduct of the 2019 election is the joint responsibility of all stakeholders especially the politicians. ( NAN)

AAG/08037874101
aminugarko@gmail.com

Don’t take laws into your hands, CNS tells personnel

Laws
By Doris Esa
Abuja,Sept.15,2018 (NAN) The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, has enjoined personnel of the Nigerian Navy, not to take the laws into their hands and desist from acts that could bring the service to disrepute.

Ibas spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the end of the 2018 Third Quarter Route March.

Ibas who was represented by Rear Adm. Jatau Luka, the Chief of Administration, Naval Head Quarters, said that the Nigerian Navy would continue to perform its constitutional role in collaboration with other security agencies to improve national security.

” It is noteworthy to reinstate that the Nigerian Navy has been a formidable partner in the internal security across the country.

“To this end, I enjoin you all to perform these duties diligently and with utmost regard to human rights.

” May I quickly add, that you should not engage in any acts of misdemeanor or taking the laws into your hands that could bring the service to disrepute in the course of national service.

” I wish to reaffirm also that the Nigerian Navy will continue to support you by way of providing critical requirements for optimal performance

“Expectedly, you are to exhibit total dedication and unflinching support to our democracy,” Ibas said.

Ibas stated that operational efficiency and combat readiness are predicated on mental and physical fitness of the armed forces.

” Therefore, this exercise is aimed at developing personnel towards enhancing physical and mental alertness to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations,’’ he said .

On the 2019 elections, Ibas pledged that the Navy would assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the distribution of election materials to the riverine areas.

He said that the Navy would not only protect the materials in areas across the country not accessible by roads, but also provide effective security in the nation’s waterways.(NAN)

ORD/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Culture can be instrumental to African unity — Envoy

Culture

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) Salaheddine Ibrahim, the Dean, African Ambassadors Group for the 55th Africa Day, said on Saturday that culture could be used as a tool to unite the people of African.
Ibrahim, who is also the Cameroonian Ambassador to Nigeria, made this known in a speech he delivered at the African Day celebration held in  Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the programme began with ambassadors from the five regions in Africa receiving guests with a display from a combination of African cultural troops dancing to welcome invited guests.
At the occasion dances from the five regions was also performed to commemorate the day and the unity of Africa.
Different cultural attires were on display as countries tried to showcase their rich culture at the event to mark the 55th Anniversary of Africa Day celebration.
The theme of this event was; “winning the fight against corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation’’.
NAN also reports that the AU in May 25, 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 32 African states that had achieved independence at that time agreed to establish.
The Organization of African Unity (OAU), to commemorate this historic event, the 25th of May is celebrated as Africa Day.
A further 21 members joined gradually, reaching a total of 53 by the time of the AU’s creation in 2002. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the 54th African Union (AU) member.
Ibrahim noted that, as the continent celebrates its 55th day which marks the historical mile stone in 1963 that has produce the African Union (AU).
“As we are celebrating a very special day very dear to us, which marks the historical miles stone in 1963, the founding fathers gave birth to our continental body.
“The organization of OAU, the predecessor of the Present day AU. As per tradition we celebrate this day under a particular theme, which is winning the fight against corruption.
“ As you all know, 2018 has been declared by the AU policy organs as the African anti-corruption year.

“At this juncture, as the ambassadors and high commissioners to Nigeria, we recognise the special contribution of Muhammadu Buhari, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the fight against corruption not only in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Prof. Al-Hassan Conteh, the Ambassador of Liberia also the master of ceremonies said that the event was divided into four parts; the official Africa day speeches, presentation and toast, African dances and display of African cuisines.
He, however, said that the event was postponed due to many events lined up last May including, the observation of the holy month of Ramada to September 14, in Nigeria.
NAN also reports that 33 countries had their cuisines displayed at different stands in the course of the event.

The countries are Algeria, South Africa, Republic of Congo, Benin, Burundi.
The Democratic Republic of The Congo, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali, Namibia, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Guinea Bissau, the Central African Republic, Libya, the Republic of South Sudan, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Egypt are among countries represented at the event.
Others are Zambia, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Mauritania, Vote D’Ivoire, Rwanda, Sao Home and Principe, Niger, Togo,Nigeria, Chad, Saharawi, Djibouti, Tunisia And Senegal. (NAN)
ETIM/YEE
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FIBA Africa World Cup qualifiers: We are happy with our first victory- Nwora

Basketball

By Babatunde Ogunrinde

Lagos Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) Alex Nwora, Head Coach, Nigeria’s Senior National Men’s Basketball team, D’Tigers, says winning their first game is the most important thing in the ongoing FIBA World Cup qualifiers holding in Lagos.

D’Tigers parading some of the best players in the competition, defeated Cote D’Ivoire, 84-73, to claim first game in the second round of the qualification series.

Obi Emegano, Al-Farouk Aminu, Ike Diogu, led the floor with 15, 13 and 11 points respectively, and not forgetting Ikenna Ireogbu, and Ike Nwamu, who were constant threat to the Ivoiriens.

D’Tigers recorded a 21-19, 41-32 in the first half of the match, and also dictated the pace of the game in the second half recording 64-48 and eventually sealing their victory at 84-73 points.

Nwora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the team played well and must give credit to the Ivoiriens who also put up a beautiful performance.

“I think we had a great game and my players rose up to the occasion and gave their best to ensure  the all important victory.

“We cannot downplay the Ivoiriens based on our quality, but the most important thing is we won the match which was very important to the success of the team.

“When we play our next game we will have worked on areas that we made some mistakes, especially at the `unforced turnovers’ we submitted to our opponents,’’ Nwora said.

Similarly, Al-Farouk Aminu, D’Tigers player said that it was a very good game and the team deserved the victory.

“It doesn’t matter who gets the highest scores line out there, what matters most was a win, and together as a team we won.

“If a player scored 30 points and beyond and the  team loses the player gains nothing at the end, we are proud of our achievements as we proceed to the next game,’’ Aminu said.

The Ivoirien coach, Paolo Davide-Povia, said that playing against Nigeria was very difficult, because of  the quality of players in the team.

“We had a good game, but could not match up with the depth of quality in the Nigeria’s squad.

“We have to try and do better and play to win to get something out of the competition, because it is our desire to book a ticket for the world cup,’’ Davide-Povia said.

In other games played at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Senegal crushed Rwanda, 94-89, while Mali beat Central Africa Republic (CAR) 66-55.

The competition goes into second round of matches as Mali gets set to face Senegal, Rwanda squares with Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria lay siege on CAR. (NAN)

BAO/COO/OU
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Obike Ukoh

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NYG: Team Delta dominates swimming, wins 12 gold medals

Swimming

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Sept. 15, 2018 (NAN) Team Delta has dominated swimming event at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG), winning 12 out of the 19 available gold medals.

In the event held at the Ilorin Stadium Complex, Team Delta also clinched one silver medal to win a total of 13 medals in the swimming event.

They were followed by Team Gombe, that won four gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

Third on the swimming medals table was Team Osun, with two gold and two silver medals.

Team Akwa Ibom placed fourth, with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals, followed by Team Rivers with five silver and three bronze medals.

Team Lagos State placed sixth, with three silver and four bronze medals, while Team Bayelsa had one silver  and three bronze medals to place seventh.

Also on the swimming medals table is Team Imo, with one silver medal,followed by Team Oyo State with three bronze medals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the NYG which started on Sept. 7 will end on Sept. 17. (NAN)

BAY/COO/OU
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Obike Ukoh

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Christian ministry gives free medicare, reading glasses to over 400 people
Missionary
By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, Sept.15, 2018 (NAN) The Spoken Word Ministry, a Lagos State-based worship centre, on Saturday offered free medical care and gave out reading glasses to over 400 people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that over 400 worshipers including residents of Ojo Barracks area, Lagos, received medical screening that included BP test and Sugar level.

Other test carried out was visual before administering drugs and giving out reading glasses.

The Christian outreach, rendered the services during the centre’s September faith reaffirmation programme, titled “Not my blood, Not my flesh deliverance service.’’

Pastor of the ministry Chris Nmezi, in his sermon said that faith without good works was baseless.

According to him, many Nigerians do not have access to health care, stressing that   the society, including the church should assist in health care delivery.

“Many of our people are bedridden because of not being able to get medical attention when required; therefore, illnesses that could be nipped in the bud become a burden.

“The Christendom thrives on humanitarian services to all and sundry, therefore it is not out of place for us to reach-out to brethren as directed by God.

“We cannot continue to preach heavenly race while the people are ill,’’ pastor said.

Nmezi charged the congregation to remain faithful to God, especially in difficult times, adding that permanent help comes from God.

The worshipers prayed for peace in the country as the 2019 general elections draw nearer. (NAN)

EUC/COO/OU

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Obike Ukoh

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Man murdered on his farm in Ekiti
Murder
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Sept. 15, 2018, (NAN) A senior traditional chief in Ijero Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti, Adewole Ajayi was murdered on his farm on Friday, the police say.
Ajayi, a high chief, popularly known as Iroko Ekiti, was believed to have been murdered inside the farm, located at a neighbouring town, Oke-Oro, also in Ijero Ekiti Local Government Area.
The Police Command in Ekiti confirmed the incident, saying a suspect, Dele Ojo-Aro, had been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said preliminary reports indicated that the suspect had been a long time notorious thief, terrorising farms in recent times.
“I can confirm to you that the suspect had earlier been reported for stealing from farms.
” We were reliably informed that he indeed went to the farm to steal the deceased’s yam and in an attempt to get him apprehended, he shot him in the hips with the dane gun he was carrying,” Ikechukwu said.
The traditional ruler of Iroko Ekiti, Oba Sunday Ekundayo, also confirmed the incident.
The suspect is a native of a neighouring town of Odo Oro Ekiti.
His alleged involvement in the matter has, however, caused ill feelings between the two neighouring communities, a source said..
The latest incident occurred barely two weeks after the traditional ruler of Odo Oro Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, was murdered in his palace.
News Agency Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Ajayi had gone to the farm early in the day and allegedly found his assailant on his farm stealing yams.
A source said both the victim and the suspected assailant had their farms along the same route but that Ajayi went to the farm at about 6a.m. and found his killer on the farm.
“It was in an attempt to arrest him that the suspect shot him with a dane gun in the hips and disappeared.
“But when the chief did not return home in normal time and the news of his death began to filter out, people started probing into those that went to farm early and that was how some people testified that the suspect was seen going to the farm.
“People started suspecting him from there,” the source said. (NAN)
ARIS/KTO/JCE
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Chukwudi Ekezie

ABU to get N800m ecological project, says SGF

Project
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Spt. 15, 2018 (NAN) Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), said on Friday that the government had earmarked N800 million for the execution of ecological projects in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Mustapha made the disclosure as the Special Guest of Honour at the 13th Annual General Assembly Public Lecture held at the ABU main campus, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The lecture was organised by the ABU Alumni Association.
Mustapha said: “Mr Vice Chancellor, I have good news for you. Under my office as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, we have a department that deals with ecological projects.
“We have undertaken one project here at the second phase, a project that will cost about N800 million has been approved for the university. Of course it’s time to give back to our alma mater.”
He said as an alumnus of the university, he was highly excited that ABU was rated high among universities on the continent.
The SGF said the success story was made possible, partly by the diligent and focused impact of ABU Alumni Association as well as the contributions of its members.
He said such contributions were for the university and the growth and development of Nigeria.
Mustapha said that during his days in the university, students made friends at very intimate levels without prejudice to the region, religion or ethnic groups they belonged.
“We had genuine relationships that saw us behaving as Nigerian students first before other considerations.
“It is possible to rekindle those feelings and extrapolate same to the national level to enable Nigeria truly achieve a nation devoid of prejudices and other primordial sentiments.
“I make bold to state that the giant strides as well as conscious strategic planning by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in this direction in respect of attempt to evolving a true nation among Nigerians is like no other since the return to democracy in 1999.
“The administration, fully conscious of various sociological tendencies that in many African nations resulted in chaos and fiasco, has weathered the tendencies and pulled through despite many attempts to distract the president from delivering his and APC’s campaign promises.”

Mustpha assured students, youths and other Nigerians that the present administration was doing everything possible to ensure a brighter future for the citizens.
In a paper entitled: “Repositioning Education for National Development”, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, appreciated the alumni association for being alive to its responsibilities.
“I want to appreciate the alumni association for continually awakening the consciousness of all students as well as succeeding administrations of the school to the important task of sustaining culture of excellence for which ABU is known within and outside of the country.
“I want to register my desire to improving the standard of Ahmadu Bello University. Education is the reason why we are here today, I am a stakeholder in this aspect.
“I am a child of ABU, whatever I present here is because of the fact that I was nurtured, born and brought up in ABU, it is my desire to see how ABU can be repositioned and indeed education in Nigeria can be repositioned.
“Of course, if the education sector is repositioned it will give us the kind of leadership and government the society deserves,” she said.
The ABU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said the university had no choice but to restructure but not in the way that people were calling for restructuring of the country.
“We have restructured and continue to restructure our academic delivery system. Our faculties have before now remained a cage, they have refused to grow and refused to modernise.
“One of the tasks of the success story is really to make sure that our university is competitive on the global scale such that we also give more access to the teaming countries that always solicit coming to this university.
“We have already achieved the restructuring or the break-up of the Faculty of Science into two Faculties now. We used to have a situation where one department in the former Faculty of Science was awarding three degrees.
“And there were quite a few of those departments, now we have Faculty of Physical Sciences and Faculty of Live Science but the biggest is breaking of the long-time standing culture of keeping a small republic called Kongo Campus.”
He said the Accounting Department and Business Administration Department had been moved from Kongo and merged with Economics Department at the main campus to form a brand new “ABU Business School”. (NAN)
KLM/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie