Blog

NAN-H-3
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Murder
Abakaliki, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi Police Command has arrested seven persons in connection with the murder of a 25 year old man, Ndubisi Nwali.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victim hailed from Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government area of the state.

The development has heightened tension between the Effium and Ezz-Effium communities of the council where the assailants are suspected to come from.

DSP George Okafor, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told NAN that the victim’s cousin, Uchenna Ochika, reported that the victim visited him on Sept.22.

Ochika alleged that the victim was shot by unidentified gunmen after he saw the victim off.

“The cousin said that when he arrived at the shooting scene, he saw six boys running and the victim, while still was writhing in pains, mentioned the names of those who shot him.

“The victim was quickly rushed to the Sudan Missionary Hospital, Effium, where he later died though we have arrested seven suspects in connection with the murder.

“The state Commissioner of Police visited the area, interacted with stakeholders and deployed several officers to the area.

“The fear of reprisal attacks has forced people to abandon their homes,” he said.

The PPRO said that preliminary investigations showed that the problem was caused by a committee set up by the c ouncil’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Clement Odaa, to safeguard forest reserves in the area.

“We learnt that the chairman gave arms to the committee members which is illegal, as he has no powers to allocate arms to people.

“We have invited him for questions and if he fails to honour the invitation within the period given to him, the law would take its full course,” he said.

The PPRO said that the commissioner of police had ordered the chairman to ‘fish out’ leaders and members of the committee as efforts would be made to bring all those indicted to book.

“We can confirm that there are no reprisal attacks or incidences of missing persons in both communities as the areas are calm with heavy security presence,” he said.

One of the community leaders, however, claimed that four persons had been declared missing since the incident occured as they were abducted on their way from morning-church service. (NAN)
RCO/TA
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Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

PTDF to begin training on NIPPS oil, gas facility

NAN-HE-11

Facility

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Sept 27,2016 (NAN) The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) says it will soon begin to use facilities at the  National Institute for Petroleum Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) Kaduna, for development of manpower in the  oil and sector.

The Acting Executive Secretary of PTDF, Alhaji  Ahmed Aminu, announced this in a statement  by Mr Kalu Otisi, PTDDF’s Head of Press and External Relations in Abuja .

Aminu said the building of the NIPPS facility was a remarkable achievement of PTDF, adding that the oil and gas industry would be proud to celebrate the training facility.

“It’s a great work that has been done by PTDF and it is for us to complete it and make it functional for the purpose it was established.“

He said that the mission of the fund was to develop NIPPS as a centre of excellence for the training of high level manpower for the oil and gas industry.

He expressed happiness that the development of the facility had reached 80 per cent completion.

Aminu said that the ultimate objective was to use the facility as a platform for the domestication of some of the training programmes being conducted abroad by PTDF.

He said that the PTDF intended to immediately begin short training programmes for oil and gas top managers as well as graduate training programmes.

According to him, there are 58 components of the NIPPS project.

The components include the academic structures, a technology development wing, a management wing, staff school and hostel.

Others, according to Aminu, include an international conference centre, a 200-bed hotel, an administrative block, library, auditorium, maintenance wing, clinic, shopping arcade, chapel and  a Mosque. (NAN)

KC/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-1

Cooperation

Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) India’s  Vice-President Hamid Ansari has said that India seeks to explore new areas of cooperation with Nigeria.

Ansari expressed the view at a reception organised for him at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Monday night.

The vice-president reiterated that India was Nigeria’s biggest trade partner as  both countries shared similarities in different areas of development.

“I don’t have to educate you on the current levels of our relationship; we are Nigeria’s biggest trading partner.

“Nigeria is a major supplier of energy to us but above all there is a convergence of interest on global matters which is extremely important.

“Both of us play an important role on the world stage in decisions that have been made; we contribute the maintenance of peace in different parts of the world.

“We have common aspirations; we have a vision of a future image.

“That is one area of corporation; we know how democracy works.

“The diversity of India is replicated in Nigeria in terms of languages and culture; we both have a dedication to develop our societies.

“I look forward to meeting with dignitaries and exploring new areas in which we would cooperate with each other in terms of the agreements that were made earlier,”  Ansari  said.

He added that both countries cooperated in the areas of business, energy, defence and security, education, among others.

“Our corporation is substantial, it is diverse.

“The contribution of Indian teachers in different parts of this country in educating the citizens will never be forgotten.

“Similarly, the training that members of the armed forces of Nigeria obtained in the past and continue to obtain today in defence institutions in India, and the corporation that is developing in that field is something which will be long remembered.”

Ansari  is on a five-day visit to Nigeria and Mali, where he will hold bilateral talks with the leadership of the two countries.

His visit to Nigeria is at the invitation of his Nigerian counterpart, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Ansari will also hold talks with President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Senate, Sen, Bukola Saraki,  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara,  and deliver an address at the National Defence College of Nigeria.

He is also expected to meet with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode,  and deliver an address at a business forum at the University of Lagos.

Ansari is expected to be in Mali on Thursday to meet with the president, the prime minister and also address the National Assembly of that country. (NAN)

TOP/JCE

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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-84

IPAC

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Lagos, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Mr Ajayi Kola, the Lagos State Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy has emerged as the state Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for 2016/2017.

Kola defeated, Dr Akin Badmus, Lagos State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Movement by 12 votes to seven votes

The election was held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sabo-Yaba, in Lagos on Monday.

The Chairman of IPAC Election Committee, Chief Sam Eke, who announced the results, said that delegates from 22 registered parties participated in the election.

Eke, who is National Chairman of Citizens Popular Party, had before the election, urged delegates to be united and work together.

He said though their political parties might differ but their aim in IPAC was one.

He urged them to use the platform (IPAC) to deepen the country’s democracy and not to be used for war.

Others elected members of the IPAC state executive were Deputy Chairman,Chief Mike Okereke, UPP; Secretary, Mr Shola Omolola, AA; and Deputy Secretary, Mr Oguntoyibo Hassan, PPA.

The others were Treasurer, Mr Gbenga Olatunde-Kool, ACCORD; Financial Secretary, Alhaja Yinka Dallas, UPN; Publicity Secretary, and Malam Olofin Olamilekan, NNPP.

The ruling All Progressives Congress did not participate in the election because it’s representative was a former state chairman and so had no right to vote.

Also, the People’s Democratic Party did not vote because it was represented by two factions

The IPAC is an umbrella body of registered Political Parties in Nigeria. (NAN)

LED/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-84
NEC
Abuja, Sept. 2016 (NAN) Mr Timi Frank, the Acting Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call a meeting of stakeholders of the party to avert internal crisis in the organisation.

Frank made the plea at a news briefing in Abuja on Monday, saying that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting would   halt the crisis brewing within the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ondo State Governorship election primary election has generated  much wrangling within the party and has led to the sack of the state chairman.

The party had called all aspirants to a meeting and also met with the state executive committee in Abuja to resolve all allegations.

After the meetings, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had overruled the recommendation of  the Election Appeal Committee that the primary be cancelled.

The chairman allegedly vetoed a six to five vote by the National Working Committee for the primary to be cancelled.

Frank said there had been many crises in the party and added: “It has gotten to a stage where the president must speak out, he is the leader of the party.

“Every party member is loyal to the president. Let him call a NEC meeting to look into the allegations against Oyegun by Ahmed Tinubu.
`

`If we don’t take emergency steps to resolve these issues, even APC leaders in Ondo will sabotage the process for us.’’
He lauded the ‘’Change Begins With Me’’ campaign launched by the president and said the change had to start within the party.
On the issue of the party leader, Tinubu, calling for Odigie-Oyegun’s resignation, Frank said the crisis would have been averted if the party had heeded his call.

“This crisis started when the issue of NASS (National Assembly) came up, I foresaw it because of the decision the party took against their own party members: Saraki and Dogara.
“They closed their eyes to the unfair and unjust treatment against these men. Then it became my turn when my immediate boss left to become the minister of information.
“By the party constitution I’m meant to game over as the publicity secretary but they fought against my person for their own selfish interest.

“They deprived me from doing my job. It spread to Bayelsa then Kano then Edo and now Ondo. You cannot be silent in the face of burning issues.’’

He said the chairman must call a meeting to resolve the crisis, stressing that members should tell themselves the truth.

He threatened that failure for the chairman to call a meeting after 14 days, he would mobilise party members to the national secretariat on a protest.

Frank said he had no personal grouse with Odigie-Oyegun but stressed: “Enough is enough.

‘’If he is doing well I will say it, he is a father, no personal grievance, I just want him to do what is right.’’

He urged other party members to speak out.

He said that many party leaders had in the past advised the chairman to do the right thing.
“I am not a lone voice. What is happening shows we are not prepared to act as the governing party. I repeat, NEC is very important at this point.
“Set up a committee to invite someone like Tinubu and throw more light on his allegations. Is it not glaring that we have crisis within?
“We have internal issues, not just internal now but public issues. Every time they try to cover up a crisis another one bursts.’’
He urged the youth to take up challenge, get into politics and effect the change they desired. (NAN)
YETI/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

Senate Committee orders Bello to impose N50,000 fine per cow loitering in FCT

NAN-H-83

Cows

By Cecilia John

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has mandated the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, to impose N50,000 As fine per cow on herdsmen who defy government directive not graze cattle in the FCT.

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Dino Melaye, gave the directive when Bello appeared before the committee in Abuja on Monday.

Melaye expressed displeasure over the continued movement of the cattle in the city centre in spite of warnings by the FCT authorities.

According to him, the arbitrary movement of cattle in the streets and highways in Abuja calls for concern.

“We are not happy with the state of sanitation in the FCT. We have received a lot of complaints across the metropolis of the FCT but the greatest of it all is the menace of herdsmen in the territory,” he said.

“To me that is absurd and is not acceptable in the capital city. If it were to be at a time when we have a visiting president/diplomat from other countries what impression will we give to our visitors?

“Honourable Minister, Senate as an institution is not happy at how herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you have given directive against some time ago.

“From now, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre.

“If that is not going to work, any cow that is seen within the metropolis of FCT must be arrested with a minimum fine of N50, 000 per cow.

“This must be enforced, if not anytime again we see cows or we receive reports of cows moving around the streets, the committee will sanction the FCT administration,’’ he said.

On sanitation in the FCT, the committee chairman cautioned that it was the second time the committee would be talking about the deplorable state of sanitation in the FCT.

He urged the minister to quickly address the matter to prevent the city from being defaced.

He also decried the menace of hawkers and beggers in the streets of the FCT and directed Bello to enforce the law on those matters.

Responding, Bello assured the committee that his administration would address the issues raised.

He added that that efforts were being made to check the menace of herdsmen in the metropolis. (NAN)

CJM/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

ECOWAS parliament advise Nigeria to avoid using panic measures to address recession

NAN-H-81

Recession

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Members of the ECOWAS Parliament have advised Nigeria to avoid using “panic measures” to address the country’s current economic situation.

The call was made at the presentation of Nigeria’s Report at the ongoing second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Monday.

Members of parliament raised concerns over Nigeria’s current economic situation and advised that the country use a more inclusive approach to address the recession.

They commended efforts taken by the Federal Government to tackle the situation but raised concerns that it was not doing enough.

Mr Dominic Azumah, representing Ghana, said that Nigeria needed to include its citizens in the process of resolving the country’s economic situation.

“Using panic measures is not necessary; Nigeria needs to be calm, move with and consult the people on the way out of the economic recession.

Mr Alfred Agbeshie, also representing Ghana, raised, concerns about the vandalism of oil pipelines in the country.

“Is the release of money by the government going to solve the Nigerian economic situation?” he asked.

Ms Aïssata Daffe, representing Guinea, noted that despite the measures Nigeria had taken to contain corruption and improve the economy “the naira continues to depreciate”.

In her response, Mrs Lynda Ikpeazu, representing Nigeria, agreed that Nigeria was not doing enough to address the recession, but stressed that efforts were being made to revive the economy.

Ikpeazu reiterated that the Federal Government was engaging perpetrators of oil pipeline vandalism, which she said, had contributed to the current economic situation.

She also said that the government would look into complaints made by some representatives on citizens of member countries facing difficulties in obtaining Right of Residence permits to live and work in the country.

Also, Mr Mohammed Lafiagi, representing Nigeria, reiterated that the Federal Government had set up committees to address the menace of pipeline vandalism.

“Nigeria has not taken to the use of force; a committee has been set up and dialogue is going on.

Responding to the concerns raised by members of parliament on security, Lafiagi reiterated that efforts were also being made to tackle all forms of insurgency and bring the Chibok girls back.

“The question of the Chibok girls is germane; Nigeria cannot move in with force, this must be done through negotiations.

“Nigeria is making more efforts,” Lafiagi said. (NAN)

TOP/AK/OFN

Edited by Akin Makanjuola//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-11
Cricket
By Stella Kabruk
Ilorin, Sept. 26 (NAN) The Kaduna State Cricket team on Monday emerged champions of the cricket event of the ongoing 2nd National Youths Games after defeating Kwara to clinch their first gold medal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the main bowl of the University of Ilorin Stadium Complex.

The Kaduna team defeated their Kwara counterparts by 10 wickets  in the final as part of the activities.

Team Kaduna had thrashed Rivers in their knock out match with 7 runs and also won Sokoto by 7 wickets in their semi-final match to qualify for the final against Kwara.

In the female category matches played, Anambra female won with 7 wickets, defeating their opponents from Akwa Ibom.

The Coach of Kaduna Cricket team, Obinna Elise, told NAN in a post match interview that he was satisfied with his players’ performance, adding that it was a deserved victory.

“I am happy to win a gold medal for Kaduna State because we worked for it and it was a deserved victory.

“We did not break any jinx as we have always been on the run for medals which we got again today. (NAN)
KSS/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-10
Games
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Chidinma Nwankwo of Ebonyi has won gold in the 49kg female category in Taekwondo event at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin.

Umar Abubakar of Taraba State also clinched the gold medal in the 48kg male category of the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwankwo’s last kick against favorite, Success Ugwu of Delta that gave her the coveted gold medal.

In the same manner, Abubakar of Team Taraba saw off newcomer Salihu Mohammed of Kano in a keenly fight.

NAN also reports that Rebecca Audu of Yobe and Miracle Obinna of Anambra settled for the bronze medals in the 49kg female category.

Mohammed Musa of Niger and Ishmael Ahmed of Plateau both won bronze medals in the male category also.

In Taekwondo, Team Kano has won one gold and one silver, Ebonyi claimed a gold and a bronze, while Akwa Ibom and Taraba states have a gold each.

Delta won two silver and Ogun state secured one silver, while Imo won two bronze medals.

Plateau, Anambra, Yobe, Rivers and Niger states have all won a bronze medal each. (NAN)
OOH/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

Kwara Govt. shuts 25 illegal Schools

NAN-H-74
Schools
By AbdulFatai Beki
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Kwara Government said on Monday that it shut down 25 Private Schools across the three senatorial districts of the state for operating illegally.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in llorin.

He said some of the affected schools which were mainly primary and secondary schools failed to satisfy conditions laid down for the establishment of schools.

The commissioner added that some of the closed schools, especially those located in the rural communities, were operating in unsuitable learning environment.

Ajeigbe said the state government took the action to ensure that quality and qualitative education was not compromised.

The commissioner said the state government was currently embarking on screening for all schools in the state to fish out those violating the laws that established them.

“Several of the closed schools did not seek for approval of the government and they are operating under unhygienic environment,” Ajeigbe said.

One of the affected schools, according to the list issued by the state Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development on Monday are, Able God Nursery and Primary School Lanwa in Moro Local Government area.

Others are: Hanivill College in Ilorin, Ali-Azeem Nursery and Primary School, Baruteen Local Government Area of the state.

The rest are: Nuru Islam Model School Kaima and Onaolapo Academy School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of the state among others. (NAN)
BEKI/ESAN/AFA
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Felix Ajide
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