Blog

Gov. Ahmed seeks for collective efforts to revamp ailing economy
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Economy
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Sept 29, 2016 (NAN) Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed on Thursday advocated for the collaboration of all stakeholders to revamp the ailing economy.

Ahmed made the call in Ilorin at a Peace and Entrepreneurship Summit, organised by the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS).

The governor, who applauded the students’ union for the initiative, stressed the need for collective efforts to revamp the economy.

According to him, the theme of the summit, “the role of Kwara students in economic diversification, curbing the menace of social vices in the tertiary institutions”, is timely considering situation in the country.

He said the only measure that could rescue the economy was diversification through agriculture and solid minerals.

“Everybody must go back to farm and produce what wii feed the nation.

“Youth should also engage in vocational skills. Students need to acquire skill in vocation in addition to the academic qualifications”, he said.

Ahmed advised the students to embrace entrepreneurship skill and engage in small and medium enterprises to stimulate the economy and increase the country’s GDP growth.

He, however, warned the students against membership of cults, urging them to collaborate with security agencies to address the menace alongside other social vices.

“It is worrisome that 95 per cent of social vices that are committed in the society today are perpetrated by the youth.

“I, therefore, urge the youth to positively engage in productive things that would work for the development of the country”, he said.

The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Wahab Babatunde, identified lack of political will and inconsistent government policy as bane of economic diversification in the country.

Babatunde, who is the Chief of Staff to Gov. Ahmed, said the rate of unemployment would keep on rising if Nigeria continued to depend on oil and students depended on white collar job.

“Today we are struggling against political emancipation again; it is not a struggle against military government and not a struggle against colonial master.

“It is a struggle against poverty and struggle against economic hardship”, he said.

Represented by Mr Sam Adefila, the chief of staff commended the students for coming up with the programme instead of engaging in aluta struggle.

Earlier, the President of the union, Afeez Oyedepo, said the summit would examine the role of Kwara students in economic diversification, to revamp the national economy. (NAN)
AUO/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

Edo poll: NGO wants separate queues for women in future elections

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Condemnation

By Kevin Okunzua

Benin, Sept. 29, 2016(NAN) A gender-based NGO, African Women Empowerment Guild(AWEG), has called on INEC to provide separate queues for men and women at polling units in future elections in Edo.

The group made the call on Thursday in Benin while addressing a news conference after monitoring Wednesday’s governorship election.

The press conference was addressed under the aegis of Stop violence against women in Election( Stop-VAWIE) and was organised by the International Federation of Female Lawyers(FIDA), Edo chapter and AWEG.

FIDA’s President in Edo, Mrs Marie Edeko, who read the text of the press conference, said the decision by INEC to combine accreditation and voting was commendable as “it reduced time wasting, especially for women’.’

Edeko, then commended the number of women engaged by INEC as its ad hoc staff for the election.

She called on political parties to include more women as party agents in future elections.(NAN)
KOO/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Dauski’s absence stalls trial
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Absence
By Edith Nwapi and Judith Ezeudogu
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The absence of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser (NSA) to ex-Prersident Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday stalled the hearing of the case in an FCT High Court.

Dasuki, Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance, Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State, his son Sagir and their firm Dalhatu Investment were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for misappropriating N13 billion.

At the resumed sitting, the Prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that he was surprised that Dasuki was not brought to court by the EFCC.

Jocabs said that he notified EFCC of the trial and the need to produce Dasuki in court but regretted that communication gap between the EFCC and Department of State Service (DSS) was responsible for non-production of Dauski.

He, therefore, applied for a stood down of the case to enable EFCC produce Dasuki in court but did not give a definite time.

Chief Olajide Ayodele (SAN), Counsel to  Yuguda, opposed the application for stand down, saying the request if granted would not serve any useful purpose.

Ayodele said that the failure of the prosecution to give a definite time within which Dasuki could be brought to court by either EFCC or DSS was an indication that he had no knowledge of what was transpiring between the EFCC and DSS on the matter.

He, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment in the trial as better option so as not to keep the court and the lawyers waiting till eternity.

Mr Joesph Daudu (SAN) Counsel to Dasuki, aligned with Ayodele and regretted that the government which put the ex-NSA on trial was the one scuttling the trial.

Daudu informed the court that since June 2016 when the matter was adjourned to today, the EFCC which initiated the trial on behalf of the Federal Government ought to have known that it was its responsibility to produce Dasuki in court as required by the law.

He further told the court that the outcome of the application before Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf for consolidation of the two cases involving Dauski would also determine how the case would go.

Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), Counsel to former Sokoto governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, Dr Kayode Olatoke (SAN), and Akeem Afolabi (SAN), lawyers to other defendants, aligned themselves with the argument of the other lawyers and pleaded for an adjournment.

Justice Peter Affen adjourned the matter till Oct. 21 for commencement of trial. (NAN)
JE/NEO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-12
Alcohol
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Worried by her husband’s excessive drinking habit, Mrs Rose Aja, on Thursday approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her 24-year-old marriage to Mr Internacious Aja.

The petitioner told the court that her husband is addicted to alcohol.

“Internacious was fond of consuming excessive alcohol, which always made him to misbehave.

“There was a day he was drunk and he entered another person’s apartment and slept on her bed.

“He spent all his salary on beer and will not have money to pay his bills, I always pay our bills.

“He always threatened my life with a cutlass and other dangerous weapons whenever he is drunk.

“I had warned him several times to stop drinking but he refused; I don’t want get into any problem in case if anything should happen to him.

“He does not have any relations in Lagos,’’ she said.

Rose said that she was fed up with the marriage that had not produced any child.

She begged the court to separate them, as she could no longer cope with her husband misbehaviour.

The respondent, however, admitted to be an alcoholic, but denied been a drunkard.

“I love drinking beers, but not to stupor,’’ he said.

Aja said that he cared for his wife, “I always assist her in her shop.’’

The 46-year-old, security guard, however, promised to turn a new leaf, and expressed readiness to write an undertaking to be of good behaviour.

Internacious pleaded with the court not to grant his wife’s request for divorce, saying, “ I still love her.’’

The court president, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, admonished the respondent to stop or reduce his drinking so as to save his marriage.

Omilola adjourned the case to Oct. 11 for further hearing. (NAN)
DOA/DEB/MZA

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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

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Blame
By Aminu Garko
Sokoto, Sept. 29, 2016 ( NAN) Alhaji Abubakar Yabo, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto state, has called on Nigerians to stop blaming President Muhammad Buhari for the economic challenges facing the country.

He made the call on Thursday in Sokoto in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that Nigerians should hold the immediate past administration responsible for the economic situation facing their country.

Yabo however expressed confidence that the policies and programmes being implemented by the Buhari administration to ameliorate the sufferings of the people would yield results.

He also expressed confidence that President Buhari’s war against corruption and looting of public funds would also yield dividends.

“Before the advent of this administration, there was no discipline anywhere; elected representatives do what they want with public funds. Nigerians should stop blaming Buhari.

“The impact of what the president is doing now will manifest when Nigerians key into his change mantra,’’ Yabo said. (NAN)
AAG/IS/AEA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

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Battering
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) A trader, Mrs Happiness Ama, who could no longer tolerate constant beating of her mother by her husband, on Thursday sought to end her marriage.

Happiness, 41, approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos, saying that her husband, Jerry, with whom she had three children in their 21-year-old marriage, turned her mother into a punching bag.

“My husband beats my mother regularly; the police have warned him to stop the assault but he continued,” she said.

She also alleged that her husband had threatened to kill her if she left him.

“My husband always threatens me; there was a day he brought out a cutlass telling me that he would cut off my head if I left.

“He also threatened to pour acid on me so that no man would be attracted to me. Due to his threat, I can no longer sleep with my two eyes closed.

“I have not been at peace since l got married; he is quarrelsome and violent,” she said.

The petitioner said that their marriage had been ridden with fights and quarrels.

“I am tired of the beating he gives to me and my mother. I have scars all over my body as a proof of his abuse; I am scared; I don’t want to die,” she said.

She urged the court to terminate the marriage, saying  that she was no longer interested.

“Since the inception of our marriage, my husband never paid house rent nor his children’s school fees.

“Save me from the cruel hands of my husband; I have suffered so much in silence,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jerry, 60, failed to appear in court.
The Court President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, directed the court registrar to serve the respondent summons.

He adjourned the case till Oct. 11 for mention (NAN)

DOA/EOB/IGO
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

Nigerians want quick implementation of Water Policy

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Policy
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), on Thursday called on the Federal Government to implement the provisions of the National Water Policy towards improving access to potable water.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the National Water Policy, National Irrigation Policy and a draft National Water Resources Bill.

Mr Leo Atakpu, NEWSAN National Coordinator, commended FEC for approving the policy, however, demanded for the immediate implementation in the country.

“It is good that FEC approved this; we need to see actions if we must have water piped into our homes, we don’t have a water policy yet, what was approved yesterday was just a roadmap.

“It is saddening that we don’t have a policy yet; the minister should expedite actions on giving Nigerians water policy, to guide actions of all stakeholders in the sector.

“Nigerians want to see water in their homes, especially urban water; our urban water systems are all collapsing, that is why we want to see the desired change soon,” he said.

Atakpu said partnership with development partners such as the EU and World Bank have yielded results in states, but called for continuous collaborations.

He urged the Federal; state and local governments to provide adequate water for the citizens, saying the provision of safe water and basic sanitation should come first.

Rev. Fr. Rapheal Aborisade, the Coordinator of Justice and Peace Commission, urged the Federal Government to repair derelict water facilities across the country, as part as part of efforts to implement the roadmap.

Aborisade said that the large number of broken-down water facilities across the country was a major hindrance to effective water supply to the people.

He said that the development has also been militating against the country’s desire to meet the MDGs and SDGs targets on water and sanitation by 2030.

Mr Hope Ogbeide, Director, Society for Water and Public Protection, called for immediate implementation of the roadmap, by making tangible efforts to provide potable water and good sanitation facilities for Nigerians.

Ogbeide said water and sanitation was interrelated, stressed the need for all tiers of government to make access to these facilities a necessity.

NAN recalls that the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, had told newsmen that the bill was meant to streamline the use and management of water in the country.

According to him, the National Water Policy seeks to provide strategies that will improve the management and delivery of water resources in the country.

He said the National Water Resources Bill was also meant to consolidate all the existing laws which included the Water Resources Act, the River Basin Development Authority Act, the National Water Resources Institute Act, the National Hydrological Service Act amongst others.

The minister stated all the Acts were being put together to form a National Water law that conformed to international standard and international best practices. (NAN)
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Edited by Felix Ajide
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Abandonment
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) A mother of three, Rashidat Nureni, is seeking divorce at an Igando Customary Court in Lagos because her husband abandoned her and three children for 12 years.

The petitioner told the court on Thursday that her husband, Ayinla, who she married 18 years ago, abandoned her and the three girls when he got a job outside Lagos.

“He only called me for few days and stopped calling. All efforts to reach him proved abortive as his numbers were no longer reachable.

“Whenever I informed his parents that their son was not calling me, they told me that he was busy and that he would call when less busy.

“His parent told me that he used to communicate with them, but they refused to give me his number,” she told the court.

Rashidat accused her husband, who failed to appear in court after being summoned several times, of lack of care.

“I have been the one paying the house rent and paying the children’s school fees; he did not call to ask of their wellbeing nor visit home.

“His parent never called nor asked of the children; anytime I went to them for assistance, they always told me that they did not have money,’’ she submitted.

The petitioner claimed that the parents-in-law refused to assist her because she gave birth to only girls.

“My mother-in-law used to tell me even before my husband travelled that I was not their wife because I did not have a son,” she said.

She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage to enable her to move on.

“I am no longer in love with him,’’ she added.

The Court President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, adjourned the case till Oct. 25 for continued hearing. (NAN)
DOA/TO/IGO

(Edited by Tola Okinbaloye and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-35
Crashes
By Christian Ogbonna
Yenagoa, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 31 road crashes were recorded in Bayelsa in the last six months, Mr Wobin Gora, sector commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said.

Gora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Yenagoa that the crashes were recorded between March and August.

He explained that out of the 31 crashes, six were fatal, 20 were serious while seven were minor.

The commander, who expressed displeasure with the record, said that most of the crashes were caused by reckless driving and excessive speed.

Gora said: “the fatal crashes are the ones that involve loss of lives; the serious crashes are those in which people sustained injuries, while the minor crashes are those where there are no record of death and injuries.

`I must say that most of the vehicles involved in the crashes are not domiciled within; most of them occurred along the Bayelsa axis of the East-West road which is under construction.

“Most of the vehicles involved in crashes on the East-West road are for long distance journeys; the accidents were caused by burst tyre or brake failure.

“But the crashes which occurred in the state capital were caused by impatient drivers, dangerous overtaking among others.

“We have observed that the roads in the capital are narrow but that does not mean we should be violating the laws.

“We must respect traffic rules and regulations to avoid loss of lives and properties because life cannot be bought.”

The commander listed violation of traffic rules and regulations and lack of towing-van for big vehicles as some of the challenges facing the commission in its operations in the state.

He solicited the assistance of the state government to purchase towing vans to improve the operations of the sector. (NAN)

OOC/ORO/AEA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

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PDP

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Benin, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Disputed National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said he did not support Thursday’s rejection of the yet-to-be-declared result of Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo.

He said that the rejection of the result ahead of its declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was preemptive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP in Edo, at a news conference in Benin, announced its rejection of the result of the governorship poll.

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, who addressed the media, alleged that the outcome of the exercise had been pre-determined by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, at the time of the news conference, collation of results of the election was ongoing at INEC secretariat in Benin.

Speaking on behalf of Sheriff, Deputy National Chairman of his faction of the party, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, said, “we will await the final announcement of the result, consult widely before making our decision public”.

He said the national leadership was concerned about issues arising from the election, and called for restraint from members and supporters.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, had in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday warned that the party would reject the result of the government poll if the antics of APC continued.

He accused the Edo Government of sponsoring massive irregularities in the election. (NAN)

OBE/OPI/OPI

Edited and controlled by Olisa Ifeajika