Blog

NAN-H-32
Dirtiness
By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti) Sept 27, 2016(NAN) A 40-year-old man, Olarewaju Osasonna, on Tuesday told an Ikole Customary Court, Ekiti, that he could no longer cope with the foul smell from his wife, Kafayat, due to her dirty ways of living.

`My wife is very dirty to the extent of packing used baby napkins with faeces for days in the house without washing them and this made everywhere in the house to smell.

“Again she doesn’t know how to cook  food, always cooking tasteless meals and will never take to correction on her dirty habit.

“Above all, she does not care for the well being of our two children as a responsible mother should be doing,” Osasonna said.

The petitioner further informed the court that his estranged wife was in the habit of cursing him and his family members whenever they had misunderstandings.

He, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the seven-year-old marriage for alleged dirtiness and inability to prepare decent meals.

He also urged the court to award to him custody of the first child and promised to pay N3,000 monthly upkeep for the second child.

Kafayat declined to cross-examined her husband and said she would state her own side of the story when she testify.

The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, adjourned the case till Oct 11, for the testimony of the wife.(NAN)
DOA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Audio Attached

NAN-H-28
Potentiality
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Rebirth Foundation, an NGO, says it will organise a reality television show that will demonstrate the entrepreneurial potentiality of Nigerian youths.

The National Coordinator of the foundation, Mr Isaac Balami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the show with the title `The Labour Room’, will feature 37 young people “in one big mansion in a secret location in Abuja’’.

According to Balami, the show is aimed at attracting world attention to Nigeria.

Balami’s audio

• Cue in audio 

“(The) Labour Room is the first developmental reality TV show in the history of the globe.
“We came up with this (because) we are trying to look for something that we can do to bring people together and to draw the attention of the world to Nigeria and we thought of the labour room.
“(The) Labour Room is quite simple: for 60 days, we will camp 37 youths in one big mansion in a secret location in Abuja.
“These 37 youths will be given tasks; they would be watched by 200 million viewers globally.
“They will be on DSTV; they will be on Star Time, and they will also be (watched live) on our own new television station – African Rebirth Television – for two months.

“First of all, the selection process will determine the kind of person that would come in because you cannot come to the Labour Room Mansion without having a trade.
“You must have a business; you must be doing well and you must have an idea that can create jobs in your local community or in your state.’’

• Cue out audio 

Balami said that some local and national leaders as well as figures of international acclaim would be invited to speak with the participants.

According to him, the final four of the contestants will be given N200 million as seed capital to start a company that will promote commercial enterprise.

NAN recalls that the Nigeria Rebirth Project was inaugurated in March by the Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, at the presidential villa.

The project is originally designed to help reshape the future of Nigeria. (NAN)
OYS/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim
===============================

FRSC arrests 2, 310 traffic violators in Bayelsa- Commander

NAN-H-24

Traffic

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), said on Tuesday it arrested 2, 310 drivers for various traffic offences in Bayelsa within six months.

Mr Wobin Gora, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

Gora explained that the offences ranged from worn out tyres, seat belt violation, use of fake drivers licence among others.

“From March to August, we have been able to arrest and book 2, 310 drivers for contravening traffic rules and regulations,’’ he said.

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

“We are really clamping down on most of the drivers, some do not even have driver’s licence.

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

“The mobile court is aimed at reducing the way people drive carelessly in the state.”

He expressed the commitment of the FRSC at ensuring safe roads across the country, so as to reduce traffic crashes.

Gora urged motorists to drive with care and obey traffic rules and regulations, warning that officials of the corps would no longer regard such violations lightly.

He further advised motorists to avoid over speeding, which was the major cause of traffic accidents 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 roads across the country.

“Whoever violates traffic rules will definitely be arraigned in the court and punished accordingly.”(NAN)

OOC/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed
=============================================

NAN-AE-4

Farmers

Brinin Kebbi, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The small holder farmers in Kebbi have appealed to the State government to ensure that only genuine farmers benefitted from its agricultural programmes to achieve meaningful diversification of the economic.

The farmers made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birinin Kebbi on Tuesday.

According to them, many agricultural development programmes are being conceived and implemented by the state government over the years without the involvement of small holder and genuine farmers.

They complained that they have continued to trail implementation of some programmes.

Some of the farmers told NAN that such programmes could be jeopardized due to non considerations of genuine farmers as beneficiaries.

A peasant farmer in Makera village, Alhaji Atto Magaji urged the state government to extend its loan facilities to small holder and rural farmers.

“Many genuine farmers were not considered in the distribution of loan facilities toward boosting rice and wheat production in the state.

Alhaji Malami Gado, also a farmer, stressed the need for government to shun political sentiment in the implementation of its agricultural programme, if it really wants to diversify the state’s economy.

However, the Permanent Secretary, State’s Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Lawal, said that over 78,000 farmers had benefited from the distribution of loan.

According to him, registered farmers in the state have produced over 1 million tonnes of rice so far this year.

He said the CBN Anchor Borrower Programme was introduced to provide loans to farmers with a view to enhancing rice and wheat production in the state.

The permanent secretary explained that farmers are expected to repay the loan with their farm produce. (NAN)
SZT/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
================

NAN-H-6

Union

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The management of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) on Tuesday said it was willing to meet with the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) to resolve issues concerning staff welfare.

Mr Basil Agboarumi, General Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCOL, gave the organisation’s position  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that NUATE had, in a letter signed by its General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, given the company a 14-day ultimatum to review its workers’ condition of service.

The letter, which was addressed to the Managing Director of SAHCOL, Mr Rizwan Kadri, warned that the workers would embark on a nationwide strike if the firm failed to accede to their demand.

“All concerted efforts of the union formally and informally to bring management to the table has been frustrated severally by your management,’’ the letter read in part.

However, Agboarumi clarified that there was no breakdown in talks between the management and the union to warrant them issuing the ultimatum.

“Whether you like it or not, staff and management issue is a continuous engagement.

“They wrote and we have not said we will not meet with them.

“But at that time, the managing director was not in town and there were already plans to reschedule a meeting with them.

“The managing director just came in and we are getting ready to fix a meeting with them,’’ he said.

NAN reports that SAHCOL is a leading provider of aviation ground handling support for international and domestic airlines operating within and into Nigerian airports. (NAN)

ASO/FF/SOA

============

Edited by Fela Fashoro and Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-31
Tourism
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) As the world marks the World Tourism Day on Tuesday, the Managing Director of Mercy Travel and Tours, Ibadan, Mr Babatunde Ademolu, has urged the Federal Government to always organise international cultural exhibitions.

Ademolu, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, said this would boost the nation’s tourism sector.

He said the government should develop the tourist sites in the country to attract foreigners in order to boost the economy.

“The federal and state governments should reconstruct the settings of our airports, especially the local ones.

“The Federal Government and well meaning Nigerians should also sponsor the less privileged on tourism training programmes to create jobs and make them self employed,” he said.

Ademolu also advised youths to explore opportunities in the tourism sector rather than depending on white collar jobs.

“It is easy to make it as far as the person is eager to work; those interested can enrol in any of our IT group training and after the training, a certificate will be issued.

“We have opportunities for hotel attendants, ticketing officers, all for those who have undergone the training.

“The person can work in any tour agency and they are being paid well,” he said.

Also speaking, the Curator, National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Mr Amos Olorunnipa, urged Nigerians to refrain from destroying heritage sites in the country.

“The only Brazilian monument building, Ilojo Bar in Lagos, has just been demolished.

“It is appalling; the culprits should be handed over to the police and be jailed,” he said.

Olorunnipa said tourism, if well developed, could create huge foreign exchange earnings for the country.

“If most museums, tourist sites are developed, it would attract more tourists thereby creating opportunities for them to invest in Nigeria,’’ he said.

According to him, the museum is the custodian of tangible and intangible heritage property.

“Museum entertains, educates and provides materials for research; it also gives information about the past on tangible and intangible evidence of history and creativity for the future.

“It showcases the people’s way of life, highlighting the similarities in the cultures of ethnic groups as opposed to their differences.

“This aids unity, peace and progress of a nation,” he said.

NAN reports that the World Tourism Day is marked all over the world on Sept. 27.

This year’s edition has as theme: “ Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility.’’ (NAN)
CC/OJO
======
(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-23

Aregbesola

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun says his administration will continue to adopt new approaches to meet the yearning and aspirations of the people.

Aregbesola made the commitment in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The governor said the administration would continue to pursue policies and programmes that would enhance people’s welfare and good governance in the state.

“I have reasons to tell the people of the state and others who care to listen at the inception of my administration that I will run an unusual government.

“We knew that for us to deliver on governance which we promised our people, we must be ready to break the rules.

“We consciously designed our programmes and policies to be different from the norms.

“We were convinced that many of the existing approaches to governance had left our people in poverty, ignorance, diseases and hopelessness.

“ But no one wanted to rock the boat for fear of what the people would say.

“But we were convinced that, though, the decisions might be painful to take, we needed to be courageous to take them if they would in turn bring our people out of their predicaments.”

According to the governor, the approach is now paying off, six years after it was adopted.

“We have proved through our strategic approach that though painful, the courage with which we have taken the decisions and driven our development agenda have been embraced by our people.

“Some of our actions have been portrayed in the negatives by a section of the populace that are not yet in tune with the unusual ways.

“But the media have a lot to do to educate and not to be swayed by mere emotions.

“ The question should be: Are the people who are at the centre of it all having their hopes restored and having meanings for their lives.

“The answer lies with our people and we know they are with us on this journey to total redemption,” the governor said.(NAN)

VE/MO/MZA

Edited by Morayo Omolade and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

Kwara State Infrastructure Fund excites Investment One Financial Services

NAN-HE-3

Fund

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Investment One Financial Services on Tuesday expressed excitement to be a part of the success story of the Kwara State Infrastructure Fund (IF-K) launched on Sept. 26.

A statement issued by the company in Lagos described the the product as and made available to the News Agency (NAN) described the project as a culmination of several years of hard work, creative thinking and resilience.

The project is being spearheaded through the Kwara State Public-Private Partnership Bureau (KP3).

Mr Nicholas Nyamali, Investment One Financial Services Group Managing Director, was quoted by the statement as saying that the company was proud to have been part of the process from inception till implementation.

“We are very proud to have been a part of this process from inception till implementation in our role as Financial Advisers and Trustees to the Kwara State Government,” Nyamali said.

He said that innovative solutions were required to address the country’s infrastructure deficits at a time where government revenues at all levels were dwindling.

Nyamali said that Nigeria’s annual infrastructure financing gap estimated at 70 billion dollars could only be addressed through innovative initiatives.

“From economic infrastructure such as transportation, roads and power, to social infrastructure such as hospitals, water and schools, there are severe shortages to be addressed by governments.

All these requirements are in the midst of severe financial shortage. The challenge facing government at all levels is how to finance these capital projects with dwindling revenues,” he said.

Nyamali described the infrastructure fund as a novel way to fund infrastructure development to give comfort to all relevant parties such as contractors, providers of capital and the people of Kwara State.

He said that the new infrastructure fund was a core element of the administration’s plan to get Kwara working optimally based on today’s economic realities.

“The IF-K creates a permanent solution to the issue of infrastructure funding which is critical to all developmental plans of this Government.

“This infrastructure fund brings to an end the era where capital projects will be left uncompleted due to lack of funding, it will also attract external and Public Private Partnership funds,” Nyamali added.

He said that the multiplier effect of the Infrastructure fund programme could not be over emphasised as it would be used to fund essential public assets such as roads, hospitals and utilities, among others.

Nyamali said that the fund would not only provide jobs for the people, but would also provide an enabling environment for growth and expansion of the state’s economy.

Mr Ademola Aofolaju, the Managing Director, Capital Management Division, Investment One Financial Services, was also quoted as saying that the company would ensure transparency, success and optimal administration of the infrastructure fund.

“This is a role we have played before in our long standing partnership with the state over the years and we give assurances of our continued support as we continue to deliver on our mandate”, Aofolaju said.

The company congratulated the governor, the government, the Kwara State Public-Private Partnership Bureau (KP3) and the people of Kwara State on the launch, signing and commencement of this laudable scheme.

NAN reports that Investment One Financial Services Ltd is a boutique investment and financial services company with a comprehensive service range covering financial advisory, trust, securities trading and portfolio management services.

Investment One has played advisory roles in various capital raising transactions with a total value exceeding N100 billion since its establishment in 2008. (NAN)
JNC/TA
Editd/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-S-5
Golf
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Layi Maliki, Captain, Ilorin Golf Club, says at least, 100 golfers across Nigeria will storm Ilorin Golf Club on Friday for a one-day 18 holes tournament.

Maliki told newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday that the competition would be part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence anniversary.

Maliki said that golfers from Mic-Com Golf and Country Club, Ada, Kadariko Golf Club Kainji, Minna Cantonment Golf Club, Ibadan Golf Club and Ogbomoso Recreation Club would compete for honours in the competition.

He said that the competition, tagged “October Fest’’, would have golfers compete for honours in different categories – amateur and professional – during the tournament.

The captain added that the event would tee-off with a welcome cocktail party for participants by 7.00p.m. on Friday, while golfers would take to course on Saturday from 7.00a.m.

He said that the club’s hole number one would be rededicated to the late politician, Dr Olusola Saraki of Kwara and the nation at large.

According to Maliki, the event will end with a gala night at the club’s ultra-modern house by 7.00p.m. on Saturday.(NAN)
OOH/DUA/IGO
============

(Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-DS-4
Security
Ede (Osun), Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) A vigilance group based in Osun, Harmonised Vigilance Group, has urged landlords in the country to be sensitive to the issue of security in their environment.

The head of the group, Alhaji Rilwan Hussein, made the plea on Tuesday in Ede, Osun,  while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He advised landlords to be curious about their tenants in order not to harbour criminals unknowingly.

Hussein said one of the precautions against insecurity was to monitor the neighbourhood by landlords being curious about their tenants and knowing them better.

“ Criminals are not ghosts, they reside among the people, it is incumbent on every landlord to know what his tenants do for living and their pattern of associates.

“This is not in any way tantamount to interloper; it is basically a conscious approach to stamp out criminality in our environment by being sensitive.

“What a tenant fills in the tenancy form could be false most of the time; it is important for a landlord to go further and check the authenticity of such information,’’ Hussein said.

He further advised landlord associations to be sensitive and refrain from divulging sensitive security discussions in their meetings to members of their families and friends.

The security expert explained that divulging such information could jeopardise the security plans and put the community at risk.

“When it comes to security, everybody is a suspect; sensitive security issues should be kept secret by members of landlord associations.

“ It should not be a topic for discussion at home,’’ he said. (NAN)
DOO/FF/OJO
===========
(Edited by Fela Fashoro and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)