Blog

Rights violation: Nigerian Navy denies allegations

NAN-H-75

Navy

By Wandoo Sombo

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Managing Director, Naval Building and Construction Company Limited, Commodore Abdul Adamu says the Nigerian Navy has no relationship with Mr Leye Adetipe, the Managing Director of Lexy Nigeria Limited.

Adetipe had on Sept. 19, petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging violation of his rights by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas and some naval staff.

This led to the commission summoning the Naval Chief to appear before it on Sept. 26 to answer to the allegations levelled against him and Adamu.

But Adamu explained that his boss was unable to be at the commission due to official duties.

Adamu said that the petitioner only had a business relationship with a company owed by the Nigerian Navy and not directly with the Navy.

He also said that “most” of the allegations made by Adetipe were not correct, adding that the Nigerian Navy would respond to them accordingly.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, said the matter would be investigated thoroughly and that there would be no sacred cows.

Angwe said that the commission was only interested in the allegation of rights violations and not the business transaction between the petitioner and the navy’s company.

“Here at the commission we believe that justice is three edged; justice to the petitioner, the alleged violator and the society at large. We will get the facts of the matter.’’

Angwe said that even though the commission would ensure that no Nigerian’s right was violated, Nigerians must be prepared to obey constituted authority and follow the rule of law in all transactions.

He said that since the allegations were made on the person of the naval chief, he had to appear before the commission personally to answer to them.(NAN)

WS/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-9
Seminar
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 350 Directors of Sports from State Sports Councils/Commissions, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, University, Military and Paramilitary formations are to converge on Ilorin for a one day seminar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar is put together by States Directors of Sports Forum as part of the ongoing 2^nd National Youth Games in Ilorin.

The seminar with the theme “National Youth Games Programmed As Tool for Aggressive Sport Development in Nigeria’’, will hold at the Main Auditorium of the University of Ilorin from 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the Chairman of the forum, Tunde Kazeem, a former Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, will deliver a paper on the theme of the seminar.

Kazeem said that Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, would declare the seminar open with the Minister of Youths and Sports expected to be the guest of honour.

He added that Dr Amos Adamu, a former Director-General, defunct National Sports Commission, will also deliver a paper on Nigeria’s Participation in Olympic Games: Historical Perspective, Challenges and Way Forward for Optimal Performance in future.

The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Emeka Onyeama, will also deliver a paper on “Using Public/Private Strategies for Sports Development in Nigeria’’, Kazeem said.
(NAN)
OOH/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

Buhari approves appointment of Chief Executives for 13 agencies

NAN-H-73
Appointments
Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointments of Chief Executives for 13 Federal Government agencies.

Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, the Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) stated this in a statement in Abuja.

He listed the appointments are as follows: Mr Joseph Ari, Director-General, Industrial Training Fund; Dr Isa Ibrahim, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, and Mr Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Monitoring Board.

Others are: Mr Aboloma Anthony, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria; Mr Mamman Amadu, Director-General, Buureau of Public Procurement, and Sharon Ikeazor, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate.

They include: Princess Akodundo Gloria, National Coordinator, New Partnership for Africa’s Development; Alhaji Ahmed Bobboi, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalization Fund; and Umana Okon Umana, Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.

The new appointees include, Sa’adiya Faruq, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons; and Usman Abubakar, Chairman, Nigeria Railway Corporation.

The rest are: Dr Bello Gusau, Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund; and Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, National Investment Promotion Commission. (NAN)
IMC/ESAN/AFA
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-8
Games
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) A former Secretary of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF),  Patrick Uwagbale, on Monday said the sport was not progressing as expected in the country.

Uwagbale made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin at the ongoing 2^nd National Youth Games.

He said that for the likes of Funke Oshinaike, Segun Toriola and Aruna Quadri to still be playing actively meant that the game was not developing well.

“As far back as 1992, I was the Secretary of the NTTF and some of the names I mentioned were on board.

“And today, they are still on board playing actively; that tells that the game is not developing.

“For athletes of the 1990s to still be on board is not fair enough.

“There must be replacements but it is not their fault that they are still on board because nobody beats them in the country.

“And the fact that nobody beats them shows that the federation is not progressing,’’ Uwagbale said.

He noted that with the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG), new players should be discovered and groomed to replace the aging ones.

“Thank God for the standard of these Games which is not low for their age, if we have been doing this, there is no way the names I mentioned will still be on board now.

“We have the potential which we are discovering now, but we will have to groom them for the future to be brighter than what it has been,’’ Uwagbale said. (NAN)
BAY/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-AE-12

Weather

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday.

The NiMet’s Weather Outlook issued by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Monday in Abuja, predicted chances of morning isolated thunderstorms over Abuja, Jos, Jalingo, Gombe, Markurdi and its environs.

It added that there would be localised thunderstorm over Minna, Bida, Yelwa and Ilorin axis in the afternoon and evening period with maximum temperatures of 26 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The agency also predicted that the southern states would experience increased cloudiness in the morning with  localised rains over Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Abakaliki and Enugu.

It also predicted that localised thunderstorms/rain showers would prevail over most inland and coastal cities during the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 28 to 31 degrees Celsius.

NiMet also predicted partly cloudy conditions in the morning over northern states with isolated thunderstorms over Maiduguri, potiskum and Nguru later in the day with maximum temperatures of 32 to 34 degrees Celsius.

According to the prediction, rainfall activities are expected to occur over some parts of the country with varying intensities in the next 24 hours. (NAN)

OYS/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-72

NCC

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has set up a high level taskforce to identify all issues militating against quality of service in the networks.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC said this on Monday in Abuja while interacting with newsmen to mark his one year in office.

According to him, the report of the committee is already being implemented for the resolution of some urgent issues militating against quality of service.

He said that the quality of service on the various networks, which includes infrastructure, service providers facilities had taken considerable attention of the commission.

“The commission has been able to identify and taken notice of the difference between the records of quality service as recorded in the switch of the service providers and from the practical experience of the consumers.

“We have therefore taken some measures to address the issue of quality of service.’’

Danbatta said that the commission was also promoting a Telecom Industry Working Group on Quality of Service that engages service providers to discuss germane matters leading to resolution of critical quality of service.

He said that the commission had also identified and engaged critical stakeholders, who were relevant in the resolution of issues of quality service, multiple taxation, and regulation, and indiscriminate shutting down of live base stations.

The NCC boss added that the commission had identified state governments as critical stakeholders whose actions may contribute positively or negatively to quality of service issues.

“We have so far made a presentation at the Governors Forum, especially to draw their attention to the National Economic Council’s resolution on multiple taxation and multiple regulations on deployment of telecom infrastructure.

“We are also engaging the governors directly and so far have met and received the support of four governors who have agreed with our point of view.

“Our visits had fostered more understanding about the need to support the deployment infrastructure to energise economic activities in the states rather than discourage investments through imposition of taxes and multiple regulations.’’

Danbatta also said that spectrum monitoring had been improved to ensure sanity in the industry.

He said the commission had currently deployed four Anmtsu Spectrum Ana;ysers, leading to more efficiency in radio Spectrum monitoring.

“Through efficient monitoring and value driven usage of spectrum for provision of different types of service, revenue generation for the Federal Government through frequency allocation and renewal fees have improved from the previous years.

“More than N47 billion was realised in spectrum usage and licensing within the year under review. (NAN)

COA/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-HG-8
Vaccine
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Prof. John Idoko, Consultant Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, has urged stakeholders to research toward developing vaccine for infectious diseases.

Idoko, former Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS(NACA)  made the call in his keynote address at a 2^nd International Public Heath Conference on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 3-day conference is organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Idoko said that there were 1,461 recognised infectious diseases and listed some as Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AIDS (HIV/AIDS), Ebola, Malaria, Lassa fever and Zirka.

“Getting prepared for these diseases entails strong public health fundamentals including infectious disease surveillance, laboratory detection and epidemiological investigation.

“We need high impact intervention and sound health policies.

“There is need to identify and validate high impact tools and develop new vaccines in order to protect against infection, preventable death and disability,’’ he said.

He said that 70 per cent of pathogens—virus and bacteria- originated from animals hence the need to take the animal world seriously.

The physician urged the academic community to develop and implement integrated curricula and foster inter-disciplinary collaboration.

On his part, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, Deputy Chairman, House Committee of Health Care Services said that Malaria deserved to be given serious attention.

According to him, many Nigerians are still dying of malaria and other infectious diseases.

Usman decried low budgetary allocation to health in Nigeria in comparison to what was obtainable in other African countries.

“It was agreed by stakeholders in health sector in Africa that at least 15 per cent of budgets be allocated to health.

“About eight African countries are implementing that and some are even allocating more but health received just 4.13 per cent in Nigeria’s 2016 budget.

“We are ready to review and amend laws that will improve the quality of health care services in Nigeria.

“In 2017 budget, the government has to implement the National Health Act,’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Jane Agbu, the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, NOUN, said that the conference provided an opportunity for participants to network on public health research and community services.

NAN reports that no fewer than 20 participants from local and international institutions are participating in the conference. (NAN)
CJ/AK/AFA
Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-71

NLC

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Sept.26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday in Abuja said that selling the country’s national assets is not an alternative option to addressing its present economic challenges.

The President of the Union, Mr Ayuba Wabba stated this while inaugurating the NLC-ASUU “Think- Tank Group’’.

The group, he said was expected to dialogue with the Federal Government on ways of addressing the country’s current economIc challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLC-ASUU think-tank group comprised a ten-man committee drawn from the different sectors of the economy.

The group is expected to represent the interest of Nigerians and come up with developmental agenda.

The members of the committee include; Prof. Omotoye Olorode, Dr Dipo Fashina, Dr Muhammed  Aliyu, Dr Muttaka Usman, Dr Isacc Nwaogwugwu, Dr Yemi Bangbose and Comrade Isa Aremu.

Others members are; Mr Sonny Atumah, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson and Comrade Hauwa Mustapha are also members of the committee.

Wabba said that the committee was specifically inaugurated to intellectually engage the Federal Government on issues of national importance.

“We have three ways of engaging government, the intellectual way, the NLC way which is protest, and we have lawyers that are ready to engage government.

“We are ready to follow through with all the three ways.’’

He, however, called on Nigerians to protect the nation’s assets by saying no to the sale of the country’s national assets as was being proposed by some individuals.

According to him, the nation’s national assets is all it has for the future generation, and urged the government to  rather ensure the implementation of tax justice in the country.

This, he said would prompt the generation of funds for the development of the economy, adding that tax evasion and tax waivers should be discouraged.

“It is only the poor and the working class that pay tax  in this country, but if the high and mighty pay tax then we will have more than enough to go round.’’

The NLC chairman urged the Federal Government to look into the country’s fiscal and monetary policy as well as take stock of the country’s assets.

He maintained that foreign exchange rate had not only added to the problem facing the country, but had also made few Nigerians wealthy.

He therefore, advised government to use available resources to drive economic development by embarking on projects such as building of roads and other infrastructure rather than investing in foreign trips.

Wabba added that there was also the need for government to block all forms of financial leakages, especially in the downstream sector.

Responding on behalf of other members, Olarode  thanked the NLC leadership for inaugurating the committee.

He said that the committee was a way to enthrone the desired change, adding that it was poised to realising its objective. (NAN)

BOL/EEM/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede

NAN-S-17

Games
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Emmanuel Igioye of Team Kwara on Monday won the gold medal in the para table tennis event’s boys singles 6-10 seed at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin.

In the final match played in the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Ilorin Sports Complex, Igioye garnered six points to beat Oluwaseyi Ogunjimi from Ogun who had five points.

Joseph Emmanuel from Rivers had four points to win the bronze medal match.

In the girls category, Mariam Popoola from Ogun garnered eight points to win the gold medal while Tayo Ayelabegan from Kwara won the silver medal with seven points.

The bronze medal went to Imo’s Amarachi Nkwocha.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second edition of the NYG, which started on Thursday, is expected to end on Friday.(NAN)

(Edited and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

Kogi Govt. raises alarm over water releases from Kainji dam

NAN–AE-11

Flood

Lokoja, Sept. 26, 2016 ( NAN) Kogi State Government said it had received alert on gradual releases of water from the Kainji dam with effect from Monday.

The Public Relations Officer, State’s Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Musa Usman made this known in a statement in Lokoja on Monday.

He said that water releases from the dam may lead to flooding in communities located on the lower part of River Niger.

Usman, therefore, urged people living in the communities to relocate immediately to avoid disaster similar to that of 2012.

According to him, with this development, flooding is very likely in some communities along rivers Niger and Benue and their tributaries.

The ministry spokesman said that the water level in both rivers was close to the 9.9 centimetres, which led to the 2012 flooding.  (NAN)
KKA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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