Blog

NAN-HG –
Case
Jos, Sept. 29th 2016(NAN) Dr. Kunden Deyin, Commissioner of Health in Plateau said there was no fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.
Deyin made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos.
He said that the last case of Lassa fever in the State was in August 2016 when a nomadic woman and a student from the University of Jos, were tested for the disease.
According to him, the two patients were treated and discharged from the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH), and they are doing well.
He disclosed that aside the two confirmed cases, there were 10 persons with suspected cases of Lassa fever, but when the test results came back from EDO, it showed that they were negative.
The Commissioner added that the government and the ministry were on top of the situation.
“We have not relented on our oars because we do not have a case of Lassa fever in Plateau.
“The ministry of health has since commenced aggressive sensitization and awareness campaigns in Jos-Bukuru metropolis and in the 17 LGAs of the state to enlighten the people on how to prevent the disease.
“The ministry, through its sensitization campaign has educated the populace on the importance of keeping a clean environment,” he said.
Deyin said there was the need to ensure that all foods were stored in a rodent proof containers and to desist from drying food stuff on the road side since the rat can urinate and defecate in them.
“We embarked on this social mobilization because we believe that prevention is better than cure,” he said.
Deyin said that the ministry had liaised with traditional and religious leaders on the need to sensitise their subjects and congregations on the importance of promoting good community and personal hygiene.
He, therefore, appealed to the people to ensure that rodents were not allowed into houses since a dirty environment attracts the rodent which causes the disease. (NAN)
UBO/ESAN/MTM
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan) controlled by Tukur Muntari.

NAN-H-6

Flights

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Sept.29, 2016, (NAN) Domestic airlines operating in Nigeria recorded 16,353 cases of delayed flights between January and June, statistics from the Consumer Protection Department of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have revealed.

A document issued by the department and obtained on Thursday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, shows that 30,100 flights were operated by eight airlines during the period under review.

According to the document, 601 flights were cancelled for various reasons by the airlines.

It said the airlines in operation were Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Azman Air, Dana Air, First Nation, Med-View and Overland.

Arik, which operated 10,261 flights, topped the chart of delayed and cancelled flights with 5,780 and 156 respectively.

Aero Contractors followed with 2,895 delayed flights and 231 cancellations out of its 4,714 flight operations, the department reported.

Air Peace operated 5,366 flights with 2,328 cases of delayed flights and 12 cancelled flights, the report added.

Meanwhile, the airlines attributed the delays and cancellations to the lingering scarcity of aviation fuel in the country.

A travel and tourism expert, Mr Ikechi Uko, urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the issue.

Uko, who is the promoter of Akwaaba African Travel and Tour Market, said acute shortage of aviation fuel had disrupted the operations of most domestic airlines in recent weeks.

He said the development was not good for the industry.

“The fuel situation has led to flight cancellations and delays. When an airline has issue of schedule integrity, it affects the brand of the airline.

“So, now almost every Nigerian airline is having problem of brand integrity.

‘’ We are having frequent flight cancellations and delays and passengers are kept waiting unnecessarily. No airline enjoys treating passengers like that.

“The situation will only be helped when the fuel is available.

‘’If it is not available, most foreign airlines will load fuel from other countries but for Nigerian carriers, they do not have such an option,”  Uko said.

NAN recalls that in July NCAA advised domestic airlines to scale down their flight operations because of the lingering scarcity of aviation fuel.

The Acting General Manager, Public Relations of the agency, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said NCAA was concerned and would not want passengers to suffer unduly because of the scarcity.

NAN learnt that aviation fuel cost from N160 to N200 per litre. (NAN)
ASO/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-84
Politics
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Human Rights Activist and a Lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday said political differences was one of the major problems in the country.

Keyamo said at a seminar in Lagos that people used political differences as a platform to express their long term grievances.

The seminar organised by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Lagos State branch, was titled: “Rising Insecurity, Child Molestation and Human Rights Violation in Lagos State: An Emergency’’.

He mentioned historical differences between the people, adding that this had been further heightened by political differences.

“People now use this platform of political differences to further express their long term grievances.

“So you will see that those who have lost elections in the country, while that grievance is behind their mind, they now use that age-long differences as a reason for their annoyance   .

“Among those who have won elections, their grievances are highly tied down and expressed but because they have won elections, the differences disappeared temporary.

“For those who have lost elections, the differences and their grievances come to fore,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Keyamo as saying.

The CLO President, Mr Igho Akeregha, said in a keynote address that Nigeria needed reorganisation along true federalism so that Nigerians could reclaim their sovereignty and humanity.

“The seminar is timely because of the experiences that Nigerians are confronted with at the moment and so the topic, “Rising Insecurity, Human Rights Violation and Child Molestation’’, is a critical component that Nigerians are confronted with.

“These issues are also embedded in the constitution to create awareness for critical state actors to respect the provisions of the constitution.

“ To promote human rights and ensure that state prosecution is used to guarantee freedom and security of Nigerians,’’ Akeregha said.

Mr Emmanuel Ayisire, Deputy State Commander, who represented the State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, said the way out of insecurity in Nigeria was for government to adopt community policing.

“The solution to our several security challenges lies in our adoption of community policing as a method of policing.

“Community policing creates a new emphasis on making community members active participants in the process of solving community challenges.

“The partnership between the Police and community members is hinged on mutual trust and confidence,’’ Ayisire said. (NAN)
LED/AJA
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(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-116
Infertility
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The wife of the President Mrs Aisha Buahri, has expressed dismay over the level of stigmatisation faced by women living with infertility in Nigeria.

Mrs Buhari made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja at an event organised MERCK Pharmaceutical Company in partnership with her pet project “Future Assured’ Initiative.’’

She said that the ways to address the problem was through increased awareness and empowering women with infertility problem.

Mrs Buhari, who was represented by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Vice President, said that there was a need to educate pregnant women to avoid maternal death.
She said that female genital mutilation was another problem faced by expectant mothers.

According to her, infertility in Africa is largely caused by preventable infections and expressed her determination to lead the campaign against stigmatization of persons living with infertility in Nigeria.
She stressed the need for women to get access to healthcare facilities especially at the local level where cases infections are more prevalence.
She said that women who were not infected require information more than medication.
She stressed the need for government at all levels to acquire equipment needed to cater for patient mothers and pregnant women.
“ Financial assistance is key to empowering women with infertility to boost their economic activities” she said.
The first lady assured the MERCK group of the cooperation of her pet project, “Future Assured Initiative’ to eradicate the stigma faced by women suffering from infertility.
In her speech, the Minister of Women Affairs Mrs Aisha Alhassan, said that the Federal Government had earmark N1.2 billion as free interest loan to support women in Agriculture in 2016.
Aisha said that the amount was part of the N40 billion earmarked by the government to support women and youths in agriculture.
She said that the ministry was partnering with the Bank of Agriculture to ensure that Nigerian women and youths, who have interest in agric business benefit from the scheme.
On his part, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said that infertility problems in Nigeria and Africa are preventable.
He promised that the ministry would keep on working with relevant agencies to make policies and legislations to address the situation.
Dr. Mohammed Kamal, National Coordinator, Future Assured Initiative, stated that one of the cardinal objectives of the project was empowerment of women.
He assured MERCK Pharmaceutical Company that the project would cooperate with it to assist Nigerian women.

In her remarks, Dr Rasha Kelej, Vice President of MERCK said the group had been championing the campaign against stigmatizing persons with infertility.
She said that apart from providing medical assistance, the group had also established economic activities to empower women.
She said women should not be seen as production machines but as entrepreneurs.
Wife of the Senate President Mrs Toyin Saraki, who spoke on behalf of senators’ wives forum, said that treatment of infertility was expensive and urged the government to intervene.
She pledged that the forum would lead the campaign against the stigma to the various constituencies of their husbands. (NAN)

AMU/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Court jails 4 men 2 years each for fraud

NAN-H-99

Sentence

By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Wednesday sentenced four men to two years imprisonment each for defrauding the Abuja Environmental Protection Board of N288,000.

The convicts; John Dodo, Mohammed Ndakupe, Sidiq Ibrahim and Abubakar Usman were found guilty of a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and criminal misappropriation.

Justice Adebuklola Banjoko gave the convicts an option to pay N500,000 as fines each .

after their promise not to repeat the acts.

In his plead for leniency, their counsel, Mr Anthony Agbonlahor, told the court to temper justice with mercy because his clients were first time offenders.

He also said that throughout the duration of the trial, they had behaved themselves and carried on in good fate.

EFCC counsel Steve Odiase said this nine-year-old case was first filed on April 18, 2007.

“There had been issues, trials and changing of counsel throughout the duration of the trial,’’ he said.

He also said that he used one witness and the convicts’ voluntary statements made to the commission to champion the case.(NAN)

SET/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-114
Inyang
Lagos, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) A former Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Etim Nyang, has died in Lagos at the age of 85.
His son, Nyang Etim-Nyang, said in a statement that the former I-G died on Monday at Reddington Hospital, Lagos.
”We write to formally announce the call to glory of our father, Obong (Sir) Etim Okon Inyang, Inspector General of Police (rtd).
”The sad event occurred at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos on Sept. 26, 2016 at the age of 85,” the family said in the statement.
Inyang joined the Nigeria Police Force on Oct. 1, 1949 and rose through the ranks to become Nigeria’s top cop until his retirement in October 1986.
He was at various times Commissioner of Police in Kano and old Bendel States and was also appointed Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee in 1987.
A recipient of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Inyang is survived by his wife, Mary, and five children. (NAN)
MIO/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-113
Festival
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The 16th Army Sports Festival will help to build athletes for the 2020 Olympics, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said.

Dalung made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the army led by Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

He said the army had played major role in the development of sports in the country, adding that the festival was coming at a better time.

Dalung while pledging support for the festival, slated for Oct. 10 to 15, stressed the need for the country to embark on deliberate efforts to hunt for talents ahead of the 2020 Olympics.

He said that the country’s performance in the 2016 Olympics necessitated this.

The minister expressed appreciation for the role played by the army in promoting national unity, national stability and peace.

He said: “since 1963 the military have consistently sustained the peace of the country. We appreciate your pains and sufferings in achieving this feat.

“We believe in you, we have faith in the army and our greatest aspiration is that as we move through this difficult time of economic challenges, we will emerge a great nation.

“Sports development in Nigeria has been sustained by the military and the paramilitary component.

“If you take the records of the medals that have come to Nigeria, more than one third will go to the military and its component.

“The military is a tall stakeholder in sports that we cannot neglect.

“Hard times will not allow us to support you in terms of finance but we are going to roll out all our machinery to support the festival.’’

Dalung promised that the ministry would provide judges, umpires and referees for the festival and ensure that the result is credible.

Earlier, Buratia, who informed the minister of the 2016 edition of the army festival, said that six divisions of the army would participate in the event as the other divisions are engaged in operation in the North-East.

Buratai said the festival would help to showcase the talents inherent in the army and also offer the country an opportunity to hunt for talents for the 2020 Olympics.

“The festival is coming after a very long time due to the insecurity that the country has been fighting.

“I want to assure you that the army is keen in developing sports among its officers and men,’’ he said.

 Buratai said that the army was desirous of developing sportsmen and women to compete at both national and international levels.

He said that President Muhammedu Buhari would be the special guest of honour and would declare the event open.

 Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Usman Olantoye, Director Physical Training, said that there would be 19 sporting events in the festival with the introduction of two new games.

He said that there would be obstacle crossing and combat relays were soldiers would dress in Camouflage with their badge.

Olantoye listed some of the sports that would feature in the festival to include: combat sports, Judo, Boxing, tennis, Squash, swimming among others. (NAN)

DE/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Court slams N100,000 bail on bus conductor for alleged mischief

NAN-H-98

Conductor

By Blessing Ibegbu

Mararaba (Nasarawa State), Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court on Wednesday granted N100,000 bail to a 32-year-old bus conductor, Richard Monday, who allegedly broke the windscreen of his master’s 18-seater bus.

The Area Court judge, Mr Albert Maga, ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum.

Maga said the surety must own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and a national identity card.

The accused, who resides at Area C, Nyanya, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is facing a two-count charge of mischief and theft.

Prosecutor Friday Adaji had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 26 at Royal Dream Hotel, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

Adaji told the court that Obioma Nwafor, a resident of Kuchikau, reported the matter to ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba.

He said Nwafor reported that his conductor removed N270.00 out of the money they made for the day.

Adaji said Nwafor told the police that the accused used a 2×2 wood and broke the front windscreen valued N24,500 of the complainant’s bus with Reg. Number XA553KRT.

He said the offence was punishable under sections 327 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned till Oct. 10, for further hearing. (NAN)

BLE/OFN

Edo poll: Electoral officer confirms ballot box snatching at Ekpoma

NAN-H-105

Snatching

Joy Odigie and Ehis Igbaugba

Ekpoma (Edo) Mr Lebari Nduh, INEC Electoral Officer in Esan West Local Government Area, has confirmed that hoodlums had snatched a ballot box from Ward 7 unit 11, during the Edo governorship election on Wednesday.

Nduh made the confirmation while addressing Journalists at INEC office in Ekpoma.

He, however, said that the election was peaceful at the various polling centres,“ except in ward 7 unit 11, where hoodlums snatched a ballot box”.

“The hoodlums couldn’t lay their hands on the result sheets which were saved by the presiding officer, but as I speak with you, there is no result from there,”he said.

The electoral officer said although INEC officials experienced some hitches with the card readers, “the faulty machines were immediately replaced with functional ones’’. (NAN)

OOJ/ESI/KOO/AMY

Edited by Kevin Okunzua and Abdullahi Yusuf

Nyame’s trial: Court admits more exhibits from EFCC

NAN-H-97

Evidence

By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, Sept.28, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Wednesday, admitted more exhibits from the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) against former governor of Taraba, Jolly Nyame.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), fielded two witnesses, who testified and tendered the exhibits

The Chief Accountant of Taraba Government House, Mr Joel Gilenya, tendered the first set of documents which consisted of the record of payments of the ex-governor’s salaries from May1999 to May 2007.

The exhibits, marked as AA1, AA2 and AA3 respectively, showed Nyamr’s monthly salaries, treasury individual payroll as well as Pay Record Card from May 1999 to May 2007.

The Counsel to the ex- governor, Mr Hssan Fajimiti, opposed the admission of the computer generated document without any seal

Jacobs told the court that there were signatures and certifications on the documents.

Also, Mr Ishaq Ismail, Zonal Head of the Commission’s South-South Zone, testified and tendered documents.

Ismail told the court that N250 million approved by Nyame for the purchase of bulk stationeries was released to Salman Global Ventures.

He said that Salman Global issued a receipt acknowledging the receipt of the fund which was money placed in fixed deposit at Pacific bank for 180 days.

He said the memo for this purchase was raised by the then Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Tutare, on Dec.28, 2004 and the approval was given by Nyame on Dec.30, 2004.

Ismail, who said his team investigated the matter, said the money was released on Jan. 4, 2005.

He said that on February 2005, the same request for stationeries was made again by the then Secretary to Taraba Government to the tune of N20 million and it was approved.

Documents which consisted of treasury receipts, purchases, memos, vouchers and numerous other transactions obtained from Taraba government were all tendered in court.

Justice Adebukola Banjoko adjourned the trial for continuation till Sept. 29.(NAN)

SET/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha