Blog

NAN-DS-6

Deployment

Benin, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) said it had deployed 15, 250 personnel to Edo for the governorship election in the state on Wednesday.

The acting Deputy Commandant-General (Operations0 of the corps, Mr Hillary Madu, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Benin.

He said that the personnel had arrived in the state, adding that they comprised 15, 000 armed and unarmed officers and additional 250 “special squad drawn from the specialised units of the corps.

Madu said the specialised units included Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT), Kernel, Counter Terrorism and Undercover.

He said the officers would work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

Madu said that five commandants of the corps from commands in neighbouring states had been deployed to coordinate the operations of the personnel during the polls.

He warned those planning to disrupt the electoral process to stay away from the state.

According to him, Edo is a peaceful state and I appeal to the people to ensure that they sustain the peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election.

“Edo is well known for peace; every state of the federation always look unto the state because of its peaceful nature, and that is what we are here to maintain.

“That is exactly why we are here; we are preaching peace and appealing to everybody, especially the politicians and their loyalists, to help us sustain this peace.

“This election is not about anybody and it is not worth the soul of anybody. We must all work for the success of the poll.

“For us as a security agency, we are not politicians; we are here to ensure free, fair and credible governorship election,” he said.

Madu said the corps had identified likely flash points across the state and had taken proactive measures to nip any planned disruption in the bud.

He said that the officers would be visible in all the 2,627 polling units and 192 wards across the state during the poll. (NAN)

ESI/KOO/OPI

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and controlled by Olisa Ifeajika

 
NAN-H-13
Bail
By Ayodeji Alabi
Akure, Sept.27, 2016 (NAN) An Akure Magistrates’ Court has granted a bail of N150,000 to two men — Salami Elijah and Niyi Adejimi — over alleged theft of a motorcycle.

The court also granted the accused two sureties in like sum, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Ogala, told the court that the two men conspired and stole a motorcycle on Sept. 20 at about 9.30 p.m. at Isolo area of Akure.

He said the accused stole a motorcycle with registration no. GGE 396 QB valued at N180,000 belonging to Chibike Ezeh.

Ogala asked for an adjournment to enable him to assemble his three witnesses in court.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Abraham Yakubu, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms just as they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code,  Laws of Ondo State 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.M. Chinaka, adjourned the case to Nov. 2 for mention. (NAN)
AYO/DA
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Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola

NAN-H-39
Sanction
By Awwal Birnin-kudu
Bunza (Kebbi) Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Bunza LGC in Kebbi will henceforth sanction parents who deliberately refused to enroll their Girl-child into school or removed them from school for early marriage.

The sole administrator of the council Alhaji Umar Gwade made the announcement on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bunza town.

He said that the era of promoting illiteracy was over and promised to provide necessary assistance to promote girl-child education in the local government area.

He said that the council would collaborate with relevant stakeholders that included traditional and religious leaders to implement the child right act.

Gwade said that his administration places priority on education especially Girl-child education, saying, “we will continue to enlighten parents on the importance of education.

He warned parents against child labour especially hawking and other menial jobs which exposes the Girl-Child to danger and deprived them of brighter future.

The sole administrator commended successive governments in the state for establishing 12 nomadic schools to encourage the education of children of nomads.

He called on the nomads to enroll their children into schools for socio-economics development of the society, adding that education is the bedrock of societal development. (NAN)

BKD/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-12
ICT
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Mr Temitope Ogunsemo, an information and communications technology (ICT) expert, on Tuesday urged government at all levels to promote the use of technology for teaching and learning in schools.

Ogunsemo, who is the Managing Director, Krystal Digital Ltd., Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the world was fast advancing technologically.

According to him, there is urgent need for Nigeria to meet with the global trend in technology.

“Not many schools in the country have extensively adopted ICT facilities for teaching and learning process.

“Education has been greatly influenced by ICT, which has undoubtedly affected teaching, learning and research.

“Full adoption of ICT in schools will have positive impact in teaching, learning and research,” Ogunsemo said.

He said recent research proved that ICT has great benefits and high potential to improve the quality of education at all levels.

“ICT has the potential to accelerate, enrich and deepen skills to motivate and engage students, and to help relate school experience to work practices.

“In this technology-driven age, everyone requires ICT competence to survive,’’ he said.

The ICT expert said that recent effort made by his firm was to build ICT centres in all unity schools across the country.

“We have built and refurbished over eight ICT centres in unity schools in the South-West zone.

“Seven more ICT centres will soon be established across the country,’’ he said.
AKA/FF/GOK
(Edited by Fela Fashoro/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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NAN-H-15

Contractors

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says the era of engaging portfolio contractors who do shoddy jobs for the state government is over.

Ugwuanyi, presenting school furniture to the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) on Tuesday, said that only seasoned contractors would henceforth be engaged to work in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, reiterated his appeal to contractors to deliver quality assured jobs in line with agreed specifications.

He said that the state government would no longer tolerate contractors who abandon projects after mobilisation, insisting that contractual terms must be met.

Ugwuanyi said that he was moved to donate the school furniture due to the situation and challenges in the public schools, where pupils study under unfriendly circumstances.

He said that his administration would embark on massive turnaround of infrastructure in public schools in the state, promising that the situation would never be the same again.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the ongoing reconstruction of 370 classroom blocks in the state, which he said, had attained 90 per cent completion.

“We are committed to ensuring that our children are comfortable in their classrooms in order to make the job of teaching easier for the teachers.

“We shall continue to respond to the needs of these children in schools because their comfort and safety today guarantee the comfort and safety of our future,” he said.

Ugwuanyi said that education remained a priority in his reform agenda, being the fulcrum for sustainable development.

Responding, the Chairman of ENSUBEB, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, said the gesture would help to boost the morale of pupils and teachers.

Asogwa said that the furniture would be equitably shared to benefitting schools across the state.

He urged the education secretaries to generate the list of the beneficiaries in line with their scale of need.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor donated 12, 480 desks and chairs for use by primary school pupils and 868 tables and chairs for teachers. (NAN)

EOA/MNA/SOA

(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu and Oluwole Sogunle)

NAN-AE-5
Facilities
Mai’adua (Katsina State), Sept. 27, 2016(NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it will provide water and sanitation facilities to 500 schools and healthcare centres in Katsina State.

Madam Padmavathi Yedla, the UNICEF Chief Field Officer in charge of Kano and Katsina States, disclosed this on Tuesday at the inauguration of some projects in Muludu village, Mai’adua Local Government, Katsina State.

She said that facilities would also be provided to over 700 communities in the state, under the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project.

‘’We currently working in 155 schools and health facilities in Katsina, next year, we will work in more than 500 schools and health facilities, and 700 communities in Katsina State,’’ she said.

Yedla said the decision was aimed at providing access to clean water and enhance personal hygiene.

She revealed that UNICEF would assist to prevent outbreak of water and environment related diseases that causes high rate of child and maternal mortality in the areas.

According to her, the state government provided 50 per cent of the project’s total cost, while UNICEF and DFID provide the remaining percentage.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Salisu Gambo, said the state had paid N380 million counterpart funds for SHAWN project.

Gambo explained that they have so far provided 704 hand pumps, 20 solar boreholes, 130 toilet facilities in schools and 25 toilet facilities in health centres in the 11 participating Local Government Areas.

Alsos speaking, Gov. Aminu Masari urged the communities to safeguard the facilities and ensure proper maintenance.

Masari said that his administration would continue to join hands with such organisations to improve the living condition of people in the state.

He also urged the communities to intensify efforts on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to prevent diseases outbreak. (NAN)
ZI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-DS-5
Helmet
By Muhammad Nasir Bashi
Dutse, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said on Tuesday it would soon enforce the use of crash helmet by commercial motorcycle operators in Jigawa.

The state Sector Commander, Mr Angus Ibezim, gave the indication when he visited the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Nuhu Sunusi.

He said: “The helmet issue, we are meeting with the union leaders and I am sure they will corporate with us.

“We are working out some things that will help their members and the general public to have better service.

“When I assumed duty in Jigawa, I noticed that commercial motorcycle operators were not using helmets, which is very bad.

“And as I visited Federal Medical Centre, Birninkudu, I discovered that more than 60 per cent of the cases there were accident-related.

“So, we would like to partner this great emirate in that direction.’’

Ibezim stressed that the helmet could prevent head injuries in case of accidents and other emergency situations.

He said that the campaign would begin with riders and later passengers.

According to him, life has no duplicate and for the fact that some people use motorcycles to earn a living, the use of crash helmet will protect them and their passengers from road accident injuries.

Responding, the emir said that the emirate would support and cooperate with the commission to ensure massive reduction in the rate of road crashes in the state.

“We at this emirate have been supporting the FRSC to reduce road accidents and we will continue to do so,’’ he said.

Sanusi blamed most of the accidents in the state on refusal of motorists and other road users to abide by traffic rules and regulations.

NAN reports that the sector commander assumed duty on Sept. 22 and visited the palace as part of his familiarisation tour of the state. (NAN)
MNB/JEY/YEE
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-H-8

FRSC

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bayelsa Sector, says it has arrested 2, 310 drivers for the various traffic offences in the last six months.

Sector Commander Wobin Gora told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the drivers were contravened for offences such as worn-out tyres, failure to use sit belt and fake driver’s licence among others.

“From March to August, we have arrested and booked 2, 310 drivers for 2, 366 traffic rules and regulations.’’

The commander, however, expressed satisfaction that the rate at which drivers violated traffic rules and regulations in the state had reduced.

Gora added:“We are really clamping down on most of the drivers, some of who do not even have driver’s licence or use fake driver’s licence.

“We have been able to conduct three mobile courts within the six months, that is from March to August, and it was very impressive.”

He restated the commitment of FRSC to ensure that the roads were safe for motorists and commuters in the state.

“Drivers should promote safe driving by eschewing speeding, which is a major cause of crashes in the country.

“Before going out with your vehicle, make sure that everything is in order and support the campaign for the promotion of safer road across the country.

“Anyone who violates traffic offences will be arraigned in court and punished accordingly,” Gora said. (NAN)
OOC/DUA/DA
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Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Dada Ahmed

NAN-DS-36

Speed

By Taiye Edeni

Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline for the commencement of enforcement of the speed limiting device, transport unions have commended the initiative but criticised the cost of procuring the item as prohibitive.

Officials  of  some  transport unions who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, commended the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for the initiative, saying they believe the device would reduce the rate of road mishaps.

However, Mr Mohammad Yunusa, the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), said that acquisition of the device should be mandatory for all motorists and that the price should be made affordable.

“This issue has not been examined objectively; there are two key issues that need to be addressed one after the other.

“The price should be reasonable; it should not be sold at an exorbitant price and it has to be readily available; just like you buy drugs across the counter in the pharmacy.

“It has to be for all categories of Nigerians, including government officials; everybody must obey the rules.

“We believe that it would reduce the rate of accidents; because about 90 per cent of accidents is caused by speeding; so, we believe that it can control accidents seriously.’’

In a separate interview, Mr  Isiwele Shehu, President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN),  noted that private drivers also drive recklessly and should also be made to acquire the device.

“It is not only commercial vehicles that speed. My argument is let both private and commercial vehicle owners have speed limiters,’’ Shehu said.

On his part, the Secretary of RTEAN, Mr Yusuf Adeniyi,  said that the enforcement of the device should be a continuous process.

“Since the device is not going to be donated free of charge to all transporters by the government, the present state of the economy should be considered.”

According to him, drivers may not be able to purchase it at once due to the high cost.

He, therefore, suggested that vendors of the device should make provision for  instalmental payment.

“It would be unfair for FRSC to start arresting transporters and impounding their vehicles by Oct. 1. it would cause hardship.”

He said that the only way enforcement would  be successful was by giving transporters additional  grace period to procure the device.

Similarly, Mr Francis Odinukaeze, Acting Secretary, Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN),  described the introduction of the device as a welcome development, insisting that saving lives was paramount.

“I think bringing that policy at this point in time is good but looking at the cost implication, I don’t think it can be equated with life;  saving of lives should be paramount.

“Government has done well. It  is a good policy because our drivers are reckless and whatever can be done to curtail their recklessness on the road is a welcome development,’’ Odinukaeze said.

However, Mr Isah  Usman, FCT Chairman of  that National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said that the only challenge with the device was the price.

He, however, said that members of the union were awaiting the response of the national body to the issue.

NAN reports that FRSC has put the price of the device at about N33, 000. (NAN)

TY/DO/NKO

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(Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

Registration scandal hits FCE Zaria, N26m registration fees of 1, 128 students missing

NAN-H-25
Scandal
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sep. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Police and authorities of Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria, have commenced investigation into how the registration fees paid by 1, 128 students through banks was not credited into the institution’s account.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that more than N26 million paid by the students in some banks in Zaria were not credited.

A cross section of the affected students, who pleaded anonymity, believed that it was an organised fraud perpetrated by staff of a first generation bank and the institution.

“I personally paid my money in the bank’s main branch in Sabongari, but to my greatest dismay, they said my money did not drop into the FCE account.

“As I am talking to you now, my name is not captured as a registered students and I am not the only person affected.

“Over 1,000 students are now facing similar problem, and all categories of students are affected,” the student said.

Another student said he also paid through the same bank, adding, “I have the payment teller and the registration slip with me, however, they said I have not registered.”

According to him, a large number of the affected students have been left stranded.

The Registrar of the college, Dr Jibril Lawal confirmed the incident, but debunked alleged connivance of the management in the registration scandal.

“The management had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the College Bursar, Mohammed Sani-Uwais, to thoroughly investigate the mater and report back to the management.”

On his part, the committee chairman said payment made by 1, 128 students was not credited into the institution’s TSA account.

He added that 82 other students also had irregular records of payment.

Sani-Uwais said 99 per cent of the victims paid their money through the first generation bank located in Sabongari area of Zaria city.

“This is a serious issue, as such, we reported the case to the police and police advised us to come back and set up an investigation committee to investigate the matter, which we did.

“We have gone a long way in discharging our responsibilities.

“When a student appear before us, we ask him how did you make the payment, whom did you pay to, can you identify him?

“We want to establish where the problem is and also who and who are involved in the shoddy deal and report back to the management for further action,” the bursar said.

Sani-Uwais alleged that an attempt had been made on his life as a result of the investigation.

Officials of the affected bank did not respond to inquiries on the matter, but a reliable source informed NAN that the major suspect had resigned before the case became public.

The spokesperson of Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Aliyu Usman confirmed that the case was reported to Zaria Area Command and investigation into the matter had begun.

“One of the prime suspects had been arrested and investigation is still ongoing.” (NAN)
KLM/MZA

Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

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