Blog

Oronsaye: Court adjourns case till Nov. 15

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Oronsaye
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court will continue the case of alleged diversion of N190 million against former Head of Service of the Federation, Seve Oronsaye on Nov 15.

Oronsaye, who chaired the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force, was arraigned on two-count of criminal breach of trust.

Justice Olasunbo Goodluck adjourned the case on Thursday following an application from Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Oronsaye, to enable him take care of himself.

Agabi had cross-examined, Hamma-Adama Bello, an EFCC officer and a member of the team that investigated the matter.

Bello told the court that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), EFCC and the police were also represented in the team and they took notes.

The prosecution witness said that the suspicions of the members were justifiable.

He further said that there was no government account that was operated by a single person and that all funds remitted to the account was known by the Accountant General of the Federation.

Bello said that one of the reasons why the Zenith Bank account was regarded as official was that it was approved by the Office of the Accountant-General. (NAN)
NEO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Kaduna Govt begins community mobilisation to tackle acute malnutrition

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Malnutrition
By Mohammed Lawal
Makarfi (Kaduna State), Sep. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has began an awareness campaign in communities to stem rising cases of acute malnutrition in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign, run in collaboration with UNICEF, is aimed at sensitising rural dwellers on the intake of balanced diet which is cheaply available in the locality.

Hajiya A’isha El-Rufa’i, wife of the state governor, said in Makarfi on Thursday at a one-day stakeholders meeting on community mangement of acute malnutrition, that the government was deeply concerned.

She said that acute malnutrition sets in before pregnancy, and the only remedy was access to balance diet.

“I therefore task men on the need to give women balanced diet before, during and after birth,” the governor’s wife said.

She said the sensitisation would be conducted house-to-house, so that malnutrished children could be referred to designated health centres for therapy.

Mrs El-Rufa’i said that the government had released about N37 million to procure UNICEF standard food and drugs for malnourished children in the state.

She pleaded for support and cooperation from parents, to always take affected children to health centres for appropriate attention.

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Health, Mr Paul Dogo said malnutrition was generally a disease found among women and children under five.

Dogo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Jere said the disease affects the physical structure and mental ability of victims.

The commissioner disclosed that about 169 death per live birth was being recorded in the state.

UNICEF Chief, Kaduna Field Office, Mr Utpal Moitra observed that malnutrition require collective efforts to address.

“Malnutrition requites collective efforts of stakeholders because it cannot be addressed by an individual.

“Given the number of children suffering from malnutrition in the state, we need to do more.”

He stressed the need for structures to be established and maintained, apart from regular meetings, reviews, assessments and consistent evaluation.

“It is not acceptable just because of lack of food children are dying in the state”, the UNICEF chief said.

In a paper entitled: `Current Nutrition Situation in Kaduna State’, Mrs Jane Gwani, a Nutrition Officer, attributed malnutrition to inadequate intake of balanced diet.

Quoting the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013, Gwani said 52 per cent of children in the state were stunted while 42 per cent were wasted.

The Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Makarfi Local Government, Malam Shehu Muhammad advised parents to place emphasis on the nutrition of their children.

“It is our tradition that big persons in the house eats big meet, but in the actual sense it is the children that need balanced diet the most.

“As an adult, you have eaten enough of good food of your own.

“Give the children fish, give them meet, give them all sort of balanced diet to enable them grow healthy,” he pleaded. (NAN)
KLM/MZA
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Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-65
Resettlement
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) says plans are under way  to relocate and resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their communities.

Mr Musa Kangiwa, the Assistant Director in charge of IDPs at the commission, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the commission had embarked on a pre-relocation exercise across camps in the FCT, to identify IDPs who were ready to return to their communities.

He said that the relocation of the affected persons would commence on Oct. 11, involving all relevant stakeholders.

According to him, officials of the commission will consult with state governors and community leaders in the North-East to identify critical areas of intervention and partnership.

”We are going to embark on the building and rebuilding of some public infrastructures destroyed by Boko Haram such as schools, hospitals and residential houses in two locations each in the affected states.

”In Yobe, we will build housing units in Buni Yadi and Gulani; Jere and Minoc in Borno and Mubi and Hong Local Government Areas in Adamawa.

“We have empowerment programmes which include training, distribution of implements to farmers, fishermen as well as capital to start their trades.

“We are collaborating with several CSOs and NGOs such as Doctors without Borders (MSF), who we usually engage their services to provide free medical test, and free generic drugs to the IDPs.

“We are working with psychologists to handle those with psycho-social issues like trauma, gender-based violence and the Social Investment Committee for missing persons to re-unite families,’’ Kangiwa told NAN.

He said that the Commission would also collaborate with international agencies including UNICEF and the International Red Cross.

Kangiwa told NAN that a joint committee had also been set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure the success of these strategies.

According to him, the committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, has members from NEMA, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and security agencies.

”The commission bears most of the cost, NEMA and FEMA will sponsor transportation, NIMC will do the identification, and the security agencies will accompany them in their itinerary,” he said. (NAN)
LIZ/IS/NKO
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(Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

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Governance

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) says it will organise a national stakeholders forum with the University of Abuja to develop a strategic framework  for the reduction in cost of governance at all levels.

The Acting Chairman of FRC, Mr Victor Muruako, announced this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Muruako said that the envisaged forum, in line with the mandate of the FRC, was designed to initiate workable strategies to promote prudent management of the nation’s resources.

According to the him, the forum, titled “Building a Strategic Frame Work for the Reduction in the Cost of Governance“, would target a long-term micro-economic stability and transparency in fiscal operations of the economy.

Muruko said the forum became necessary given the section 3 (1b) of the FRC Act 2007 mandating the commission to disseminate standards practices for efficiency in the management of public expenditure.

He said that the forum was being organised given the dwindling revenue accrued to the Federation Account, reduction of allocation to all tiers of government and increasing cost of governance.

The chairman said stakeholders would interact with experts on topical issues and come up with a working document on how to reduce cost of governance at the federal, state and local government levels.

According to him, it is envisaged that the forum will ultimately provide an action plan to bail the nation out of the current recession.

Muruako said the collaboration by both establishments was on the need to intensify the debate on the economic crisis confronting the nation and proffer a lasting solution.

He said the university had always been a breeding ground for development of ideas and knowledge that impacted the society, hence the choice of University of Abuja as co-partner to drive the project.

According to Muruako, the forum, which is billed to hold in Abuja  from Oct. 11-12, will feature the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as special guest of honour.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.  Michael Adikwu, said the forum  on reduction in the cost of governance was being organised jointly.

He said that the university would help in the areas of providing experts to present papers on strategies to reduce cost in governance.

He said the issue of fiscal prudence was critical to the survival of the entire system in Nigeria, adding that the forum would dwell on measures to discourage unnecessary expenditure in governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ministries, departments and agencies are expected to nominate Directors of Finance, Administration, Procurement, Planning, Research and Statistics to participant in the forum. (NAN)

KC/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

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Heart

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Stroke Reference Group, on Thursday in Abuja cautioned Nigerians against the use of  traditional methods in the treatment of heart related illness.

Ogungbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of the “World Heart Day’’ celebrated annually on September 29.

He said that heart failure could be caused by a number of factors ranging from diseases that damage the heart muscles, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and diseases of the heart valves.

The medical expert listed other factors to include heart defects present at birth, high blood pressure, lungs disease and past heart attacks.

According to Ogungbo, the most common is hypertension, as the disease has no symptom and that is why it is called the silent killer.

“Hypertension is a disease that cannot be cured through traditional methods or by only prayers.

“Keep praying but do not stop your medications as hypertension is for life.

“Hypertension is the single most important risk factor for stroke, it causes about 50 per cent of ischemic strokes and also increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said many hypertensive patients do not have their blood pressures adequately controlled, adding that many preventable strokes, heart attacks and cases of heart failure occurred unnecessarily.

He, however, advised patients to avoid sugar, salt, fatty foods, smoking and alcohol, saying checking ones blood pressure with the machine at home was also recommended.

“One thing to bear in mind is that hypertension is a long term condition and one needs to see a doctor at least twice or more a year for review.

“Non-compliance with anti-hypertensive drug therapy can be dangerous to one’s health.

“There are two major organs that kill instantly, namely brain and the heart, any problem with these two organs can lead to sudden death,’’ Ogungbo said.

NAN also spoke to Dr Safiya Ojo, a General Practitioner at the Wuse General Hospital, who said that untreated hypertension could lead to heart diseases or cardiac arrest.

He said uncontrolled high cholesterol could also lead to heart diseases, adding that diabetic patients were also prone to heart diseases.

Ojo, however, advised that high blood pressure patients should go for medical checkup regularly, especially those with family history of heart related illnesses.

She said children were also prone to heart diseases, adding that some infections if not adequately treated could lead to heart diseases.

“Some children are born with heart pathology; it could be due to the fact that the mother did not take folic acid during pregnancy,’’ she said.

The medical experts advised Nigerians on healthy lifestyle as “prevention is better than cure’’. (NAN)

OEO/HS/EEE

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Edited by Halima Sheji/Ese E. Ekama

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Sentence
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, sentenced 37-year-old, Adamu Bello, to two years imprisonment for dealing in 700g of hemp.

Justice Mohammed Idris sentenced Bello after he pleaded guilty to a charge of dealing in drugs.

Idris held that the accused was guilty as charged.

“Based on the evidence before this honourable court, the accused is found guilty and convicted as charged.

“The convict is hereby sentenced to a term of two years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest,” he said

The judge ordered that the drugs should be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan had told the court that the accused was arrested on April 13 at Apapa, where he was reported to be in engaged in the sale of hemp.

He said that 700g of the narcotic was recovered from the convict, who was arrested immediately.

Aernan reviewed the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits to establish his case.

He said that the offence contravened Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.

The convict appealed to the court to tamper justice with mercy saying he was a first time offender.

“I am sorry for the offence I have committed; if shown mercy I will never repeat the mistake,’’ he pleaded (NAN)

UNS/EOB/AEA
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

Yakasai slams N500m libel suit against Sun Newspaper
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Yakasai
By Wandoo Sombo
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) An elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has instituted a N500 million libel suit against Sun Newspaper for alleged defamation of character.

Yakasai, who claimed that an article published by the paper contained disparaging falsehood against him,  joined its columnist, Mr Duro Onabule, as a co-defendant.

In the suit filed before Justice A.B Mohammed of the FCT High Court, the plaintiff is claiming N500 million as damages jointly from each respondents.

He also asked the court to award N50 million as exemplary damages and two million naira as cost of filing the suit.

The plaintiff also wants the court to compel the defendants to declare that the said publication was false, derogatory, malicious, defamatory and libelous to his person and reputation.

Yakasai said the legal action became necessary following the failure of the newspaper to retract the publication and issue an apology.

The defendants have been given eight days after the service of process to respond failing which judgment might be given in their absence.

No date has been fixed for the hearing. (NAN)
WS/OFN

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Empowerment

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) on Thursday in Abuja empowered 31 youths with start-up equipment through its Youth Empowerment Scheme.

The President of the association, Mrs Bolanle Olonisakin, while presenting the equipment, urged them to make good use of the experience they had acquired.

Bolanle explained that the programme was designed to enable the youths to contribute meaningfully to national development with a view to eliminating restiveness.

The start-up items donated to the participants included hairdryer, computers, camera and  vulcanising machines, among others.

Bolanle noted that no amount of educational investment was a waste as youths are the future of the country.

“While congratulating the participants of the scheme in our usual way. We will provide them with starter-pack to commence business immediately for themselves.’’

Bolanle, however, implored the participants to put the knowledge acquired as well as the starter- packs provided them to good use in order to make their lives better and more productive.

“We, in DEPOWA, are particularly grateful to our benefactor, Zaymar Isamic Research and Development Education Centre, for providing some of the equipment used for the training.

“We are also grateful to those who, in one way or the other, facilitated the success of the training and empowerment programme,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that over the last one and a half months, DEPOWA commenced the training of 31 youths drawn from barracks across all the services.

NAN also reports that it was part of the association’s numerous programmes aimed at empowering the youths to be self reliant. (NAN)

YI/JPE/NKO

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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Widows

By Yakubu Uba

Yola, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has assured widows in the state of sustained government support toward their welfare and that of women in general.

Bindow gave the assurance on Thursday in Yola while addressing widows in commemoration of this year’s International Widows Day.

He said that his administration was committed to the welfare of vulnerable groups, particularly widows.

He added that the recent tour of local government areas by his wife to interact with widows was part of such support.

In her speech, the Governor’s wife, Hajiya Maryam Bindow, also reiterated her commitment to continue to collaborate with local government councils to assist widows.

“The major aim of this celebration is to further the cause of widows through sharing of realistic ideas that would launch our path to success.

“It is in this regard that I see the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Never Alone’, as most relevant and timely.”

The governor’s wife stressed the need for widows to be involved in the process of identifying their problems and evolving solutions to them.

“We should collectively champion a cause that would lay a solid foundation for the betterment of the lives of our widows.

“On my part, the journey has since begun with our intervention in their lives.

“I am happy to state here that through collaboration with local government councils, we were able to provide a token of N20,000 each to selected widows from 21 local governments as start-up capital that would launch them into small-scale businesses,” she said.

In a remark,  Mrs Sodom Daniel, Chairman,  Committee on Women Affairs, Adamawa House of Assembly, said that widows could be vibrant, if given the opportunity.

“Our potential as leaders in our country cannot be overlooked if we maintain our integrity and dignity.

“I speak to you today as one of you and a living testimony of a widow who had defied these challenges,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) reports that the highlight of the occasion was a march past and the inspection of products made by the widows. (NAN)
AMA/YMU/JPE/NKO

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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-24
French
Lapai (Niger), Sept. 29, 2016 ‎(NAN) Students in the French Language Department of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger, are too few for the large resources invested in the department, an official said.‎

The Head of the department, Prof. Amos Ihenacho, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lapai on Thursday.

Ihenacho called on Niger Government to take measures to save the department.
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He said that resources sunk into the department annually by the state government was enormous for students not up to 30.‎
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Ihenacho said that admission seekers were unwilling to study the language in the department which had  abundant human and material resources for optimal studies.

He said that students lacked interest in studying French in the university because no public secondary school offered French in the state.‎
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Ihenacho added that Niger lacked French teachers in secondary schools because students were not willing to learn the language at university level.

 “It is a vicious circle – no French student, no French teacher and conversely.
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“This trend is a problem ‎now and in the future, as time will come when the state will lose opportunities to other states which are better prepared for such opportunities.‎

“I want to strongly use this medium to appeal to Niger Government to sensitise admission seekers to come to the department for a pre-degree course in French.

“This will usher them into100 level, having passed the foundation examination.
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” Niger state has a lot to benefit from the study of French Language both at international and at local levels ‎.

” There are many countries in the sub-region which have French as official language. Such countries as Niger Republic, Mali and Chad are very close to northern Nigeria.‎

“French Language is veritable for bilateral trade within the sub-region, for international business and even for communication,” he said.

Ihenacho called on school leavers who did not meet the cut-off point into their chosen courses to apply for a pre-degree programme in the department.
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He said that most professors of French never studied French in primary or secondary school but started the course in the university and distinguished themselves.‎
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  about 30 countries speak French as official language. (NAN)

MNO‎/ORO/IGO
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(Edited by Razak Owolabi and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)