Blog

NAN-HG-7
Advocacy
By Aisha Ahmed
Kano, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr Kabiru Getso, on Monday commended the Emirate Council for its advocacy programmes on polio eradication.

Getso gave the commendation at a retreat organised for members of the emirate in collaboration with an NGO, Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), in Kano.

The commissioner said that the council had played a vital role in the fight against polio in Kano, adding that this action had attracted many development partners to the state.

He said: “Your influence is visible in the fight against polio which has yielded a mass impact.’’

Getso enjoined the council to sustain the tempo for accelerated development and the overall benefit of their subjects.

The commissioner, however, reiterated the government’s readiness to continue to partner with the traditional institutions in the state in view of their roles in the society, especially at the grassroots.

He said that the present administration was committed to providing effective and qualitative healthcare services to the teeming populace in spite of the nation’s economy challenges.

Speaking at the occasion, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, reaffirmed the emirate council’s willingness to complement the government’s policies and programmes in the health sector.

The emir, represented by Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, charged the Emirate Council Committee on Health to come up with the modalities toward improving healthcare services at the grassroots.

He advised his subjects to always observe personal hygiene and keep their environment clean. (NAN)
AAA/FF/GOK
(Edited by Fela Fashoro/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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NAN-HE-22

Development

By Lucy Nwachukwu

Abuja, Sept.

26, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar says that quality infrastructure is critical to the speedy industrial development of Africa.

Abubakar said this during her opening remarks at the 7th Africa Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) General Assembly and Meeting in Abuja on Monday.

“One critical infrastructure necessary for the expeditious industrial development of the continent, which is mostly neglected or overlooked, is the quality infrastructure.

“Lack of adequate infrastructural facilities is one of the major reasons for Africa’s inability to create the enabling environment for the attraction of the right mix of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

“To this end, Africa needs to develop the requisite functional and sustainable infrastructure that would enhance expeditious industrial development.

“It also needs infrastructure that will facilitate intra-African Trade, which is still abysmally low, compared to other continental blocks of the world,’’ Abubakar said.

According to her, availability of the infrastructure will enable standardisation and quality assurance activities to flourish in the country.

She said that a robust quality infrastructure would increase the quality and standard of goods and services produced to make them competitive in the global market.

The minister said that it would also enable African exporters to be in a position to comply with the WTO agreements on technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures.

She said that the foregoing scenario, however, posed a challenge to African countries to formulate industrial policies and plans that would guarantee the development of sustainable quality infrastructure.

She explained that Nigeria was currently pursuing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), for which the development of a National Quality Infrastructure was a critical component.

“The NIRP aims to create a robust industrial base for the country through reform policies that would transform industrial processes and systems.

“This will make goods and services competitive enough for the international markets and diversify the economy from over-reliance on crude oil,’’ she said.

Abubakar said that Nigeria was at the verge of obtaining a robust National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) being developed under the auspices of UNIDO with funding from the European Union.

She said the Nigeria Accreditation National Service (NINAS), one of the major pillars of the NQI, was also being established with technical support from UNIDO.

Abubakar further said the establishment of a well-functioning National Accreditation Body would provide the requisite infrastructure to support the growth of over 37 million Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Dr Paul Angya, the Acting Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said that the programme would chart a new course for Africa.

Angya said that this would be done through the establishment of bodies that would endorse the competences of regulatory processes through accreditation.

According to him, accreditation indicated that the accredited organisation has achieved an appropriate level of organisation proficiency.

“It indicates that the organisation has reliable mechanisms in operation to continually improve the quality of services it delivers.

“It allows you to deliver products or services with confidence with benefits that from the processes being accrued to the consumers, financiers, organisations and the economy.’’

Angya said that although most African countries had established National Standardisation Bureaus, they lacked the quality infrastructure for accreditation needed to enhance intra-African Trade with other regional economies.

He explained that establishing National Accreditation bodies among member nations in Africa and building the bodies’ capacity to internationally recognised level was a challenge that required serious efforts.

The acting director-general stated that SON had continued to provide the technical competence and support for the implementation of the NQI programme to surmount the challenges hindering business engagement with other countries.

Angya said the hosing of the meeting would provide NINAS, regulators, certification bodies and stakeholders the opportunity to gain relevant knowledge in the accreditation process.

He said it would also assist Nigerian businessmen to appreciate the importance of accreditation to trade and afford companies opportunity to attend the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation workshop among others. (NAN)

LCN/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-DS-8

Rice

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Abakaliki, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) A middle-aged woman identified as Agnes on Sunday in Abakaliki lost the pot of rice she was cooking to thieves.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited Agnes’ residence behind Nnodo Secondary School, Amike-Aba on Monday reports that she was still in shock over the incident.

It took repeated appeals by the correspondent to make Agnes talk, as she maintained that her husband had barred her from speaking further on the issue to avoid negative attention to the family.

“I came back from a village-meeting late on Sunday and put the rice on fire so that my family could have their dinner and eat the remnant on Monday morning.

“This apartment, as you can see, has no kitchen so we cook in the space in front of the house, likewise other occupants of the building,” she said.

Agnes said that as she went inside her room to fetch some condiments, she was delayed by the attention she had to give to her crying child.

“I gave attention to my child who was crying and by the time I came out to continue cooking, the pot of rice had vanished, with the stove still enkindled.

“After I recovered from the shock, I started screaming which attracted my husband, family members and neighbours who were all as stupefied as I.

“When it was established that no occupant of the building took the pot, it dawned on us that the act was perpetrated by a thief who exploited the vulnerability of the improvised kitchen,” she said.

The woman declined further comments but her neigbour, Justin Mbam-Egbe, noted that the situation had re-awakened security consciousness among the occupants of the house.

“This is the first theft case we are experiencing and we will henceforth be security conscious to avert future occurrences,” he said.

A private security consultant in Abakaliki, Dr John Odikwa, blamed such incident on the current economic recession in the country.

“The country has degenerated to a level that people now steal pots of rice and soup and with the yuletide approaching, the society should be ready for serious security challenges.

“The Federal Government should take immediate measures to alleviate the sufferings of the people to prevent total breakdown of law and order,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi police command, Mr George Okafor, described the incident as funny and noted that it had not been reported to the command.

“It is difficult for such incidents to be reported but we assure the citizens of the state of adequate protection of their lives and properties,” he said. (NAN)

RCO/DO/MVO

(Edited by David Onilede/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-HE-7
Shares
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday resumed for the week in an upward trend with market indicators growing by 0.05 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index closed higher, appreciating by 16.06 points or 0.05 per cent to close at 28,263.13 compared with 28, 247.07 recorded on Friday.

Similarly, market capitalisation went up by N5 billion to close at N9.708 trillion against N9.703 trillion achieved on Friday.

Total Oil recorded the highest price gain to lead the gainers’ table, growing by N4.25 to close at N299.25 per share.

Nigerian Breweries came second with a gain of N1.48 to close at N145, while FlourMill appreciated by N1 to close at N21.04 per share.

Cadbury increased by 78k to close at N16.53 and Dangote Cement rose by 47k to close at N182.5 per share.

On the other hand, 7UP topped the losers’ chart, depreciating by N5.45 to close at N144.55 per share.

ConOil trailed with a loss of N3.5 to close at N39 and Betaglass decreased by N3.39 to close at N31.51 per share.

Forte Oil dipped N2.11 to close at N161 and Oando Oil dropped 29k to close at N5.59 per share.

In all, the volume of shares traded decreased as 249.77 million shares valued at N1.96 billion were transacted in 3,170 deals.

NAN reports that this was in contrast with 265.07 million shares worth N1.56 billion traded in 3,136 deals on Friday.

Fidelity Bank drove the turnover volume, accounting for 52.01 million shares valued at N46.81 billion.

It was followed by Diamond Bank with a total of 28.33 million worth N33.99 million, and Access Bank sold 28.23 million shares valued at N156.71million.

FCMB transacted 28.17 million shares worth N28.94 million, while UBA exchanged 15.29 million shares valued at N64.99 million. (NAN)/
LUC/GOK
(Edited and controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)

NAN-HE-21
Lifeline

By Donald Ugwu

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it will increase its investment in Nigeria by $4.1 billion between 2016 and 2017 and raise it up to $10 billion by 2019.

The Bank’s President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, gave the indication while speaking with State House Correspondents after its delegation met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Economic Management Team.

Adesina said that the bank would support the Federal Government in its budget to enable it to deal with the current economic challenges.

Cue in audio

“We will support Nigerian government with the budget support to be able to deal with some of the domestic fiscal imbalance that they have.

“We are looking to consider for the board $1 billion to help them to deal with that particular deficit that is there.

“In addition to that, there are other challenges that the economy has which is in terms diversifying and deepening the level of diversification in critical sectors.

“So agriculture, solid minerals very important; manufacturing as well as industrial sector is very important.

“So the bank will provide in total between 2016 and 2017 a total of $4.1 billion to Nigeria in various areas of power, infrastructure to agriculture and the private sector for SME financing and lending.

“I expect that our portfolio in Nigeria will not decrease; it will actually grow.

“We expect to invest in Nigeria by 2019 a total of $10 billion in terms of our portfolio.’’

Cue out audio

Adesina said Nigeria is the bank’s biggest shareholder adding that the bank came to talk with the administration on the challenges and opportunities which abound in the country.

He said the times were difficult in Nigeria but commended the federal government for taking bold decisions in a number of things such as economic diversification.

He said the low crude oil price was a big challenge adding that 98 per cent of the nation’s foreign revenue came from that sector thus creating a lot of reverberations.

He said it was necessary to device means of stemming the difficulties adding that the bank would support the country in that regard.

According to him, there is the need to deepen the diversification and making sure there is micro economic and fiscal stability in the country and to have synergy between the micro, monetary and fiscal sides.

“We also recognize that power is perhaps the most important challenge that is driving inflation in the country.

“We expect from our portfolio this year to invest in over 1,400 megawatts of projects that are going to be focused on the energy sector.

“By 2017 we plan to invest in about 1,387 megawatts of generation projects for the sector,’’ he said.

Adesina added that the discussion also dwelt on investment on women, youth  and job creation as well as opportunities to support access to finance by banks.

Accordingly, he said AfDB will support the development bank of Nigeria with $500 million to help in cheap financing of the country’s real sector.

He said AfDB would also provide $100 million support to the Bank of Industry for lending to Small and Medium Enterprises and finance the Bank of Agriculture to carry out reforms and obtain financing.

The AfDB president said the country support was on a concessionary interest rate of 1.2 per cent.

The Minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said that government had indicated earlier that it would go for the cheapest money (loans) first which was why it approached the AfDB and the World Bank.

“We have stuck to that strategy and we have very conservative debt profile.

“That is a great flexibility on the comfort of the country and we have not over-borrowed.

“What we have to do and what we are doing is to make sure that this money we borrowed is used on key infrastructure that will drive the economy.

“And I am going to assure you all those things,’’ the minister added. (NAN)
DCU/YEE

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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NAN-ELS-7

Culture

By Idris Olukoya

Lagos, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) An expert on culture, Mr Adeyeye Abraham on Monday decried the rate at which western influence had eroded African culture and tradition.

Abraham, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos described the development as “disheartening’’.

The expert stressed the need for Africans, especially Nigerians to uphold their culture and traditions for identity as well as foster national development.

“The country will be more developed if Nigerians can value and uphold their culture effectively.

“It is uncalled for Nigerians to imbibe foreign culture to the detriment of our local culture and practices.

“Nigeria has amazing and historical culture that can attract foreigners,’’ he said.

The consultant listed some of the country`s valuable cultures to include local delicacies, fabrics, clothing, hair style, languages, ethnic groups and traditional practices among others.

“Ile-Ife in Osun State has over 200 deities that they worship every day, monthly and yearly.

“Osogbo has Osun shrine and river that the people of Osogbo worship, so also all states have something to sell to the world.

“Every state and ethnic group has their own culture as a way of life which westerners can learn from,’’he said.

According to Abraham, if Nigerians can be dedicated to their local culture, the nation will be able to develop beyond expectations.

He urged Nigerians to respect their culture and be change ambassadors. (NAN)

SIO/AAO/ERO/EEE

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Edited by Emma Okara/Ese E. Ekama

NAN-DS –

Deployment

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Sept. 26, (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Monday said it had deployed 20,000 personnel for Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 28.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Okeh and issued to newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Mr Abdullahi Muhammadu, had directed the immediate deployment of 20,000 personnel for the election.
“The CG has charged the Acting Deputy Commandant General Operations, Mr Hillary Madu, to relocate his office to Edo in order to guarantee free and fair election devoid of violence and rancour.

“The Acting DCG is to be assisted by two Assistant Commandant Generals in Charge of Zone G Benin and Zone E Owerri with five Commandants drawn from the neighbouring states.

“While the personnel are to be re-deployed from Kogi, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra Commands respectively to complement the deployment of personnel from Edo Command,’’ it said.
Muhammadu advised the personnel to work in synergy with other sister security agencies in order to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

The CG warned that any personnel caught or found involved in any act of misconduct would be dealt with in accordance with the law and ethics of the service.

He also approved the deployment of sniffer dogs, specialised units such as the SWAT, CBRN, CTU, Undercover and Special Forces to protect the Critical Infrastructures and national assets in the state and its environs.

Muhammadu said that this was to prevent them from being vandalised by criminal-minded people who took advantage of activities like this to carry out their nefarious act.

“I call on all the politicians in Edo to note that, achieving victory is not a do or die affair, but victory comes from God alone.

“The winner should accept it in humility while the loser should accept it in magnanimity.
“There is always another time to achieve success. Election will come and go, but Edo remains.

“So, there is no need to fight and destroy what belongs to generations born and yet unborn,’’ he said.

He also urged the citizens of the state to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or favour, adding that they should vote the candidate of their choice without any form of coercion.

Muhammadu called on parents to be on the look-out for their children and wards, and ensure that they were of best behaviour ever, before, during and after the poll.

The CG also charged the youths in the state to shun thuggery and all forms of vices that negate peaceful conduct of election.

He stressed the need for them not to allow themselves to be used by any person to carry out any form of satanic acts.

Muhammadu added that those politicians and their supporters would never bring their sons or daughters to carry out such dirty jobs.

He said that synergy amongst security operatives was a must, as no man could achieve success alone without good team work at all times. (NAN)

YI/FF/MTM/
Edited by Fela Fashoro/controlled by Tukur Muntari.

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NAN-HG-5
Lifestyle
By Fabowale Suleiman
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) A Dietician, Mrs Sarah Abagai, says indulging in sedentary lifestyle without regular physical exercise can cause diabetes and hypertension.
Abagai, who is the Head of Dietetics at the National Hospital Abuja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that Nigerians should shun habits that will complicate their health status.

“We must make time for things from the moment we attain that age (40 years) but it becomes a change in our lifestyle so that we will be able contend with the changes in the body.

“Once people attain that age (40 years and above) they make a mistake of believing that they are indispensable; you must create time for recreation, exercise and then watch your diet.

“It means you must imbibe dietary discipline. There are certain foods that you must be begin to reduce the intake of, such as fat, sugar in the diet and imbibe healthy nutrition.

According to her, a lot has changed regarding the status of Nigerians now as many people are no longer used to trekking distances; they use cars and elevators.

“It has gotten to the extent that most people whose offices are on the second or third floor now ignore the stairs to use elevators while accumulating excess fats and sugar.

“We now go out to work, outside our family circles to interact with people from different backgrounds, encounter a lot of friction as a result of differences we can create tension from that.

“Apart from that you find out that city for most people life is really hectic because in some cities people have to contend with traffic, worry about rent, children’s school fees and making ends meet.

“The cost of living is very high generally”.

The dietician also emphasised that there should be a normal line between people’s health and consumption of fast foods in general and moderation in diet which, in her view, is a major challenge.

She also noted that kidney-related crisis is as a result of a poorly controlled diabetes, adding that the kind of obesity prevailing now are adverse effects of the things we consume. (NAN)

FAA/OSA/YEE
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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Biafra: Judge disqualifies self from Kanu’s case

NAN-H-52

By Wandoo Sombo

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2016 (NAN) Justice John Tsoho, the trial judge in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, has returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta for reassignment.

Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOD) with his co-accused, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, are facing a six-count charge of treasonable felony brought against them by the federal government.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Mr Chuks Muoma (SAN), alleged at the resumed trial on Monday in Abuja, that the court was biased in the manner it had so far handled the case.

Muoma, in his application told the court that his client had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the claim.

He said that it would only be proper for the court to suspend hearing of the case pending the outcome of the investigation by the NJC.

“Following the development, all we are asking this court to do is to hands off the case since my client has lost confidence in this court; pending the outcome of the NJC investigation.

“It would not be proper for the court to continue with this matter when investigation is ongoing.

“So, in the interest of justice, I would urge the court to transfer the matter; I would suggest that it be sent back to the CJ,’’ Muoma said.

Tsoho, in a short ruling held that he has no personal interest in the case saying that since the defence lacked confidence in the court, it was only “reasonable” for the court to disqualify itself from the case.

“Accordingly, this case is hereby forwarded to the Chief Judge for further reassignment’’, Tsoho said.

It would be recalled that Kanu had written a petition against Tsoho to the NJC accusing him of “committing judicial rascality” over two rulings given against him.

In the petition signed by one of his counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Kanu called for an investigation into the rulings of the court over the permission granted the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect its witness in his trial.

Ejiofor said the conduct of the judge in the trial of his client was a fundamental breach of his judicial oath.

Kanu also called for a correction of the actions of the judge in accordance with the Oath Act. (NAN)

WS/NNO/MZA

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Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-56

Broadband

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Sept. 26 2016 (NAN) Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says that Nigeria Broadband Penetration has reached 20.95 per cent.

Danbatta said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting the first progress report of the eight point Agenda he unveiled to the media in 2015.

According to him, broadband is a flagship of the eight point agenda he unveiled in Kano and Lagos.

“The active mobile broadband penetration released by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development shows that Nigeria has reached a penetration of 20.95 per cent.

“On the percentage of internet penetration, the country has reached a milestone of 47.44 per cent, second to South Africa in the continent,’’ he said.

Danbatta said that the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development was set up by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UNESCO in 2010.

He said that the provision of the National Broadband Plan that had a set target of 30 per cent penetration from 2013 to 2018, also accentuated emphasis on broadband penetration.

According to him, the commission recognises its prime responsibility in the actualisation of the national broadband plan.

He said the commission was set up with the aim of boosting the importance of broadband on the international policy agenda and expanding its access in every country.

The NCC boss said that the commission was also set up as a key strategy in accelerating progress towards national and international development targets.

“We have been able to articulate a regulatory framework that will enable strategic and systematic licensing and deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

“A broadband implementation monitoring committee has also been established within the commission to give proper assessment on regular basis of broadband infrastructure deployment.

“These steps are critical success factors, which we have identified and primed for various broadband initiatives.’’

Danbatta said that the commission had been able to fine tune the infrastructure provision licenses awarded for Lagos and North central zones.

He said the commission had already advertised the bidding and selection process for interested service providers in the remaining five zones designed for effective coverage of the nation under the Open Access Model. (NAN)

COA/MO/EEE

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Edited Morayo Omolade/Ese E. Ekama