Blog

PDP are bad losers, says Edo APC chairman

NAN-H-2

Loser

Ehis Igbaugba

Benin, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Mr Anselm Ojezua, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter, has  described the rejection of the state governorship election results by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an act of a bad loser.

Ojezua told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday that the entire process of the election had been nothing but peaceful.

“This is just a case of a bad loser. It is a pity that the PDP expects to win in a state which it had run down.

“Though the announcement of the results is still ongoing, I commend INEC , thus far.

“The process was very peaceful. INEC was efficient in delivery of materials to ensure that they got to locations on time,” he said.

The chairman advised the PDP to channel its grievances to the appropriate quarters.

NAN reports that the PDP had, through its Chairman, rejected the results of the election, describing it as “fabricated and pre-determined”. (NAN)
ESI/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf
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Sports
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) A former Director-General, National Sports Commission, Amos Adamu, has said that saddling non-professionals with sports administration is the bane of Nigeria’s sports development.

Adamu spoke to newsmen in Ilorin on Thursday at the ongoing National Youth Games.

He said that many administrators saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the nation’s sports had no technical know-how to succeed.

Adamu appealed to the Federal Government to employ professionals to handle sports management.

He said that some of Nigerian coaches lacked the required technical knowledge to train athletes.

“Some of our coaches know the new rules, but they don’t apply techniques to athletes; this makes it difficult for our athletes to compete with their counterparts internationally.

“We have to change our ways and address these problems; if we don’t change, we will be coming down and down,’’ Adamu said.

The former CAF and FIFA executive member attributed to indiscipline, the crisis between the Amaju Pincik-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Chris Giwa to indiscipline.

“When you allow indiscipline to gain access into a place what you have within such a system will be indiscipline.”

He urged those involved in the crisis to resolve it amicably in the interest of sports development.

The former D-G urged sports administrators to be open to athletes and tell them the truth at all times.

He appealed to them to desist from going to competitions without enough money to avoid causing embarrassment to the country.

“When you don’t have money and or sponsors, tell the government. If government does not give you money, don’t go.

“In Nigeria, we don’t have the habit of sponsorship, other African countries have enduring sports sponsorship policy,’’ he said. (NAN)
OOH/DEB/IGO
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

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Teachers
By Shuaibu Tatu
Brinin Kebbi, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The  Kebbi Universal Basis Education Board (SUBEB) has warned teachers against absenteeism and indolence.

The state SUBEB Secretary, Alhaji Balarabe Abdulmumini, gave the warning during a routine inspection of some schools in Birinin Kebbi, Kargo and Gwandu on Thursday.

Abdulmumini said that only three teachers out of the 13 in Makera/Maurida Model Primary School were present in the school.

He warned the teachers against laxity and advised them to be dedicated to their responsibilities for the development of the state.

”Teachers who are found wanting in the discharge of their responsibilities will be dealt with accordingly, “he said, and encouraged the teachers to adopt the modern method of teaching and learning.

The secretary said that plans were underway to award contract for the construction of additional classrooms, furniture and provision of other teaching and learning materials in the schools. (NAN)
SZT/JPE/OFN

Edited by Joseph Edeh//Felix Nwadioha

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Hunters
by Mohammed Bashir
Dutse, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Kiyawa Local Government Area in Jigawa has approved the engagement of 80 hunters to improve the security in the area.

The council’s Information Officer, Malam Balarabe Abdullahi, made this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.

Abdullahi said that the council’s Caretaker Committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sulaiman, announced the decision after the council’s security meeting.

He explained that the action was taken following frequent cases of stealing in the area.

The spokesperson said that eight hunters would be engaged in each of the 10 wards to support police and other security agencies in providing adequate security.

Abdullahi quoted the chairman as urging the people in the area to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest security formation within their localities.

He said the council chairman also urged traditional rulers in the area to continue to ensure peaceful coexistence among residents in their domains.

Abdullahi said the council would continue its support to the police and other security agencies so as to ensure adequate security as well as protection of lives and property in the area. (NAN)
MNB/ORO/OFN

Edited by Razak Owolabi//Felix Nwadioha

PDP rejects Edo governorship election results

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Rejection

Benin, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of the Edo governorship election held on Wednesday, ahead of the announcement of the outcome.

The party rejected the results in a press conference addressed by its Chairman in the state, Mr Dan Orbih,on Thursday in Benin.

The press conference was also attended the party’s governorship candidate in the election, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Both the party and it’s candidate said they rejected the results because they were “fabricated and a pre-determined” by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Edo Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC was announcing the results of the poll as at the time of  filing this report.

Orbih said that the results as they were being announced by the INEC, were at a complete variance with what the party got from it agents and independent observers.

He alleged that the two-week extension of the poll by the electoral body was to allow for more time to perfect the manipulation of the process.

“You will recall that our state Publicity Secretary had briefed the press less than 48 hours to the elections on what is playing out now.

“If you go by the results that were announced at the polling units and wards across the state, it shows that PDP would have won by over 30,000 votes.

“What INEC is announcing is clearly different from what we got from our agents and independent observers in the 192 wards and over 2,000 units across the state.

“We are rejecting these results as they were being announced by INEC and we are coming out early enough to make this known,”he said.

The chairman said the cancellation of some results on the basis of failed card reader was part of a deliberate plan to also manipulate the poll.

He alleged that the areas were results were canceled were stronghold of the PDP.

“I wonder what the Incident Form is for. Voters should not be made to suffer unduly for the inefficiency of card readers,” he said.

He said the results as were being announced by INEC, were clearly at variance with the widely acclaimed voter- turnout that was also acknowledged by the electoral umpire itself.

On his part, the governorship candidate said he aligned himself with the position of the party.

“The results are not a true reflection of what happened in the field. The INEC only played a script written by the Government of Edo,” he said. (NAN)
ESI/AMY/

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf
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Theft
Asaba, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) An 18-year-old man, Sunday Michael, was on Thursday arraigned before an Asaba Magistrates’ Court, over alleged theft of N236, 000.

The prosecutor, Mrs Ndidi Ahamefuna told the court that the accused allegedly stole the money belonging to one Mrs Rita Oghale, on Sept. 13, at Achalla Ibusa road in Asaba.

She said the offence contravened Sections 390 (8) and 516 of the Criminal Laws of Delta State, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs Akanume Okonkwo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be civil servant on Grade Level 09, and must be resident in Asaba.

The case was adjourned to Oct 13, 2016 for trial.(NAN)
EGI/EOB/MZA
(Edited by Edith Bolokor and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

PDP chides Gov. El-Rufai over failure to conduct LG election

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Challenge

Kaduna, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State for failing to conduct local council elections in the state.

A statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Abraham Katoh, said the action was in total violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.

It said that by failuring to conduct the polls, the state government had clearly displayed its contempt and ridicule for the local government system.

The statement reminded the governor of his promise on assumption of office, to conduct local council election within three months.

“It is regretable that after a year and half he has not deemed it fit to fulfill the promise.”

The PDP, therefore, challenged the governor and the state House of Assembly, to rise in defence of the Constitution by conducting the election.

It said that an elected local government administtration would ensure grassroots development and good governance. (NAN)

MGK/MZA

Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-13
Disbursement
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee on Thursday disbursed N10 million as medical support to various hospitals and pharmaceutical shops in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee Chairman, Malam Lawal Maidoki, gave the figure at the commencement of the distribution in Sokoto.

 Maidoki said: “The gesture is part of the monthly support provided by the state government through the committee to provide free drugs to indigent patients.

“This is in fulfilment of state the government’s promise to provide effective healthcare services to the citizens.

”This is to enable the people to become more productive,’’ he said.

Maidoki said that the committee had also taken measures to assist patients to be treated outside the state.

The chairman thanked the state government for sustaining the programme, and called on the well-meaning people to complement government efforts by contributing to the fund.

He commended the managements of the hospitals and pharmaceutical shops for supporting the programme. (NAN)

MNB/BRM/IGO
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola

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Research
Sydney, Sept. 29,2016 (Xinhua/NAN)  A new Australian study has found that a baby’s birth weight is genetically linked to its chances of developing a type 2 diabetes and heart disease later on in life.

The international study, led by the University of Queensland (UQ) researchers, identified 60 genetic variants associated with birth weight, 53 of which were not previously known.

The research’s lead author Dr Nicole Warrington from UQ’s Diamantina Institute (UQDI), said the study concluded that at least one sixth of the differences in birth weight between babies could be due to genetic variation.

“Previous research has primarily focused on the nutrition available to the fetus and the environment provided by the mother, but this research shows it is more complicated than that,” Warrington said.

“Identifying these genetic variants is a big step towards understanding what is making some babies small.”

“We will continue to gather more pieces of the puzzle to give us insight into how the genetic profiles of the mother and the baby act together to modify the baby’s weight,” she said.

UQDI’s head of Genomic Medicine and joint author of the study Professor David Evans, said the genetic regions linked to low birth weight overlapped with those connected to an individual’s chance of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease in later life.

“Ultimately we can now say there is some genetic link between birth weight and ill health later in life, but we need to further investigate whether it’s mediated through the mother, her baby or both,” Evans said.

“Although the increased risk of later heart disease or diabetes is relatively small, these findings could be important in terms of future prevention and treatments for these growing health problems,” he said.

Researchers from the Universities of Exeter, Oxford, Bristol, Cambridge and the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam had also participated in the study along with UQ.

The study had analysed the genetic differences of almost 154,000 people and linked it to a data on birth weight and previous studies on diabetes and heart disease.

The report was published by science journal Nature on Thursday. (Xinhua/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-S-2
Games
By Dianabasi Effiong
Calabar, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Cross River Sports Commission says its contingent could not attend the 2nd National Youth Games in Ilorin because funds were not approved for it by the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Games began on Sept. 22 and will end later on Thursday at the University of Ilorin, Kwara.

The commission’s Chairman, Orok Duke, who made the disclosure to NAN on Thursday in Calabar, said the body had proposed that 95 athletes and no less than seven officials would feature for the state.

He said that Team Cross River’s participation in the Games was dependent on the state government’s funding of no less than N10 million.

NAN learnt that the money included kitting, feeding, transportation and insurance cover as well as N12,500 participation fee for each athlete.

“Unfortunately, we could not make the Games because no approval was given by the Gov. Ben Ayade,’’ Duke said.

He said the Team’s participation would have been used to ensure young athletes’ readiness for the 19th National Sports Festival to be hosted by Cross River in November.

Asked for his comment, Asu Okang, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, said he could not readily discuss it as he was busy.

He said: “I am in a meeting now. You can hear that I am in a meeting.’’

NAN also learnt that the consequences for states contingents’ failure to attend the Games included N5 million fines and two years suspension.

The Director, Grassroots Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ademola Are, confirmed the punishment.

“Youth Games offer opportunities for the development of youth sports in Nigeria, replacement of ageing athletes and unifying factor in the face of youth restiveness,’’ Are told NAN. (NAN)
DOE/PDE
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)