Blog

Biafra: Police warn trouble makers to stay clear of Delta

Agitation

By Carol V. Utulu

Asaba, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Delta Police Command says there is no cause for alarm over the threat by the proscribed pro-Biafra groups to shut down commercial activities across the South East and South-South areas.

The command spokesperson, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba that the command had put adequate security measures in place to forestal any breach of public peace.

“The Delta Police Command is ever ready to deal with any act of criminality and public disturbance. We have put adequate security measures in place to deal with anybody or group that attempts to disrupt public peace.

“As you can see today, Asaba is calm and so it is across the state. The command is doing its utmost best at ensuring that the entire state remains calm and orderly so that the people can have peace,” Aniamaka said.

The police image maker warned pro-Biafra agitators and other criminal elements to stay clear of the state, adding that any attempt to disrupt the peace of the state would be dealt with severely.

He disclosed that the command was working in collanoration with other sister security agencies to safeguard lives and properties of residents.

NAN reports that Asaba, the capital of Delta, is relatively calm as businesses and major markets are busy as early as 7.30 a.m. on Friday, a day pro-Biafra groups had issued a stay-at-home order.

The popular Ogbogonogo main market in the heart of Asaba is open to business, as traders and customers carry out their transactions in a peaceful atmosphere.

There were detachments of police personnel and patrol teams seen at major areas within the state capital to check any attempt  by any group or persons to breach the peace of the state.

NAN reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja had proscribed the Biafran movement, describing it as a terrorist organisation.

(NAN)
CVU/IA

Flood: NCS donates relief materials to Adamawa Govt.

Customs
By Muhammad Auwal
Yola, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday presented food items and other relief materials to the Adamawa Government to alleviate the suffering residents of the state affected by the recent flooding.

Mr Kamaludden Olumo, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) in Charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, presented the items to the government on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the service.

Olumo, who was represented by a Deputy Comptroller, Mr. Muhammed Usman, said that the donation was in compliance with the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring succour to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“The donation is in compliance with President Mujammadu Buhari’s directives that all perishable goods seized by Customs should be donated to the IDPs in the North-East” the CAC said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, Dr. Muhammed Suleiman, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), thanked the NCS for the intervention.

Suleiman, who lamented the havoc caused by the flood to many communities in the state, gave and assurance that the items would get to those they were meant for.

NAN reports that the items included 573 bags of rice, 139 bales of second hand clothes, 12 cartons of vegetable oil and two cartons of juice. (NAN)
AMA/AOS/NKO
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Nkechi Okoronkwo

15-month-old toddler found abandoned in Ogun

Toddler

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) A 15-month-old toddler was found abandoned at an uncompleted building in Iloye area Ogun on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the toddler, who could not express herself, was found by some residents passing through the area.

NAN reports that the girl was abandoned at No. 2, Fatai Tiamiyu Street, Ire Akari Estate, Iloye, Ado-Ota, Ogun allegedly by a yet-to-be identified woman.

Residents, who spoke with NAN, expressed sadness over the poor state of the child and wondered why anyone could be so heartless to abandon the child without fear of God.

A resident, Mr Moruf Ogundare (Okete). told NAN that his son alerted him of the abandoned baby.

Ogundare said he went with his son to the uncompleted building to see the baby who was then awake and looking helpless.

“After seeing the child, I informed Mr Sikiru Yusuf, Chairman, Oluwasemilore Ire-Akari/Iloye Community Development Association of the incident.

“We all went to the place with other members of the community to find a solution,” he said.

The community leader expressed shock that a mother would abandon her child for any reason.

He said residents bought food for the child because she looked hungry and unkempt.

“We have contacted the police and they asked us to bring the child to Sango Police Station.

“It is really a shame that any mother will do this to her own child,” he said.

NAN reports that the child was taken to Sango Police Station where the DPO, Nasiru Oyedele, referred the case to the Juvenile Ward Centre (JWC) in the station.

The police officer in charge of JWC told NAN, on condition of anonymity, that the child would be transferred to a motherless babies home if the mother did not eventually turn up to claim the child.

She said that the centre usually received many cases of lost children towards the end of the year.

“We see many cases like this whenever the year is coming to an end and during school fees period,” She said.(NAN)

OOG/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Trading on NSE closes on positive note, market indices up 0.95%

Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed for the week on Friday on a postive note with Nigerian Breweries leading the price gainers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market indices appreciated marginally by 0.95 per cent.

The market capitalisation rose by N112 billion or 0.95 per cent to close at N11.802 trillion against the N11.690 trillion achieved on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index rose by 306.36 points or 0.95 per cent to close higher at 32,327.59 compared to the 32,022.23 posted on Thursday.

Nigeria Breweries led the price gainers’ table, gaining N8.4 to close at N92.5 per share.

GTBank followed with a gain of N1.8 to close at N34.75, while Stanbic IBTC rose by N1.25 to close at N42.25 per share.

Zenith Bank appreciated by 45k to close at N20.05, while UBA increased by 25k to close at N7.4 per share.

Conversely, Nestle topped the price losers’ chart, shedding N28 to close at N1,370 per share.

Unilever lost N 3.8 to close at N43, while CCNN declined by N2.5 to close at N22.6 per share.

FlourMill was down by 8k to close at N19, while Nascon lost 75k to close at N19.25 per share.

NAN reports that investors traded a total of 252.189 million shares valued at N4.73 billion in 3,120 deals.

This was against the 173.547 million shares worth N3.71 billion exchanged in 3,082 deals on Thursday.

GTBank was the most active stock, trading 68.71 million shares worth N2.29 billion.

Zenith Bank followed with 51.81 million shares valued at N1.04 billion, while Transcorp traded 17.27 million shares worth N20.42 million.

Fidelity Bank sold 15.02 million shares valued at N23.71 million, while Custodian exchanged 9.86 million shares worth N56.14 million. (NAN)
LUC/KTO/TÁ
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Tajudeen Atitebi

Nigerian youths embrace family planning – NGO
By Yashim Katurak
Contraceptive
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Mr Offiom Offiom, the Country Director, Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria (MSION), says 19 per cent of Nigerian youths under 25 years accessed one modern Family Planning (FP) method or the other in 2017.
Offiom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that five per cent of this youth were between 15 and 19 years.
He said that the services were provided by the organisation with support from its donor partners DFID, USAID, UNFPA, Chanel Foundation, FP 2020 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Offiom said that with donor support, the organisation also provided quality contraceptive services in 2017 to 16 per cent of individuals living in extreme poverty in parts of the country, vulnerable women, girls and adolescents.
He said that hundreds of first time users also accessed the services the same year.
Offiom said that 70 per cent of the contraception services received by these individuals were long acting and reversible methods.
He said: “MSION delivers services in 34 of the 36 states of the federation including the FCT and of the over 182 million people in Nigeria, around 48 per cent are under 18 years of age.
“Only 24 per cent of women in the country of reproductive age use a modern contraceptive method and 24 per cent will like to use one form of this method but are unable to access them.
“Our efforts and results show the huge demand that exists and the impact that can be achieved with the right approach and resources.
“We at MSION will continue to work with the Federal Government and other partners to achieve the goal of increasing access to family planning services in the country.”
Offiom said that in 2017, the organisation provided 1,356,000 women in the country with high quality contraceptive services, noting that this is the highest number it had ever reached in Nigeria.
He said that the services it provided helped to avert child and maternal deaths, 10,000 unsafe abortion, unintended pregnancies and saved the nation about 12 million pounds.
The country director said that the organisation was committed to supporting the Federal Government achieve the target of increasing contraceptive prevalence rate to 27 per cent by 2020.
NAN recalls that the federal government had in March 2018 pledged to achieve Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) of 27 per cent among women by 2020 with collaboration from stakeholders and partners.
Marie Stopes International (MSI) is a global organisation providing personal contraception and reproductive health services to women and girls.
MSION, an affiliate of MSI, was established in Nigeria in 2009 to increase access to affordable and high-quality modern contraceptives and confidential reproductive health services for both married and single.
The organisation is currently in 34 states of the federation and some of its services include counselling and support on FP, child spacing, contraception, pregnancy planning and painful periods.
Other services provided by MSION include diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer screening. (NAN)
KRY/AMM/MST
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Mixed reactions trail Bichi’s appointment as DSS D-G

Reactions
By Diana Omueza
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Nigerians have continued to react to the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, some respondents hailed the appointment while others criticised the decision citing ethnocentric reasons.

One of the respondents, Mr Femi Olufemi said he believed the president did not appoint Bichi because of his tribe or ethnicity, but due to his competence to deliver.

He said that the new DSS is a core Secret Service operative and one skilled in intelligence gathering, conflict management in both general investigation and counter-intelligence.

“Yusuf Bichi may be a northerner, but we must admit that our security needs men with such competence.

“Nigerians need to wake up to the truth that this administration is working and would continue the good fight.’’

Olufemi expressed optimism that Buhari would return to serve a second term after the 2019 general elections.

He said that non-partisan Nigerians were unbiased in their judgment and would support the present administration going to the polls in 2019 to vote for continuity.

On the contrary, Mr Linus Onyeziligbo, a public servant, many Nigerians were compelled to question the president’s motive in appointing another northerner to a sensitive security position.

“Even if I was not a Nigerian, I would be concerned for the people of Nigeria.

“Am sure many Nigerians are amplifying accusations of the president’s alleged ethno-religious agenda.’’

Onyeziligbo said that he was stunned on Thursday night when he heard that the president had approved Bichi as the new DSS director-general.

In his comments, Mr Obisike Kinglsey, a civil servant, said that he was not surprised at the announcement.

He, however, expressed disappointment that the next most senior officer by rank in the service was not appointed.

“Matthew Seiyeifa, who is the next in rank, has been sidelined and it is an injustice that should not be allowed,’’ he said.

Bichi, whose appointment takes effect from Friday, replaced Seiyeifa who was appointed in acting capacity by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo following the dismissal of former DSS boss Lawal Daura.

Daura was dismissed on Aug. 7, following the unlawful invasion of the National Assembly by men of the security agency under his watch. (NAN)
DOM/AMM/NKO
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Commandant’s wife renovates hospital, donates building to NAOWA School
By Mohammed Lawal
Healthcare
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Applonia Ndidi-Ezugwa, wife of the Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, has renovated and donated some health facilities to Depot NA/Nigerian Military School (NMS) Medical Centre in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Mrs Ezugwa also built and donated a block of classrooms to Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Nursery/Primary School, Chindit Barrack, Zaria.
Both projects were inaugurated on Friday by the wife of Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Umma-Kalsum Tukur Buratai.
Mrs Buratai described the gesture as a wonderful contribution to national development.
She said: “I am highly delighted to share in this joy of improving the health of women and children in the cantonment in particular and the society in general.
“This clearly shows that NAOWA is alive and very active in Zaria as well as striving to positively affect lives of officers, soldiers and their families.
“In the same spirit, I am glad to inform this august gathering that the multi-million Naira ultra-modern NAOWA Specialist Hospital, Abuja, which is my pet project is on the verge of completion and will soon be commissioned.
“The hospital, when completed will be equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities geared towards providing the necessary healthcare required for families of troops in the barracks as well as communities around.”
Mrs Buratai observed that the ceremony was timely considering the importance of quality education in the lives of children as well as the risk associated with pregnancy and child birth.
She encouraged parents to take advantage of the NAOWA school and enrol their children as the atmosphere in the school was very conducive for learning.
She also encouraged women to patronise the newly equipped maternity to cater for their antenatal and postnatal services.
The commandant’s wife had earlier said the main objectives of NAOWA was to promote the wellbeing of families of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and to build capacity for the less privileged and the needy in the society.
“In line with these objectives, NAOWA Zaria chapter under my watch has made frantic efforts to actualise the realisation of NAOWA set goals.
“One of such efforts is the establishment of NAOWA Primary School and renovation/equipping of this maternity for the benefit of our children and women in Chindit Cantonment.
“This is because I observed that when I came to Zaria, NAOWA school had just Crèche and Nursery Section. In a bid to further enhance our children’s learning, I deemed it fit to establish a primary section.
“Secondly, I observed that the maternity was not befitting and ill-equipped to serve the large population in this cantonment; this informed why many women prefer to give birth at private hospitals outside the barracks.”
She said it was in view of such reasons that she resolved to redress the situation, hence the efforts to give the maternity a facelift.
NAN also reports that Umma-Kalsum had earlier visited the Depot Commandant, Maj-Gen. Victor Okwudili-Ezugwu, to explain her mission.
She told the commandant that: “As you are already aware, we are here in Zaria to commission some projects undertaken by your amiable wife, Barrister (Mrs) Appolonia Ezegwu.
“I am gladdened that your wife came up with these wonderful initiatives of boosting healthcare and educational facilities in Chindit Cantonment.
“These projects will no doubt boost the main thrust of NAOWA’s mission, vision and aspirations, which is basically complementing the Nigerian Army’s efforts in improving the quality of education as well as efficient and comprehensive healthcare services for troops families.”
She urged all Army officers in Zaria to encourage their wives to join NAOWA in addition to extending necessary support and cooperation to enable the association achieve its set goals and objectives.
Responding, the commandant said: “This is about a year four months since I was posted to Zaria, we have always been looking forward to host you as a mother of the Nigerian Army; both officers and soldiers.
“I want to assure you Mummy, all of us here have queued into the vision of NAOWA which you are heading and various projects have been undertaken both in Depot and NMS, and we are working as family to support our wives.
“Both officers and soldiers are very happy and appreciative to see you around because it is not always that you see an eagle around your vicinity.
“We therefore want to thank you for the huge support you have been giving to the Chief of Army Staff because all that he has achieved is because of your support,” he said. (NAN)
KLM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NUJ

Kano, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Mr Chris Isiguzo, a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming delegates’ conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has pledged to work toward raising the standards of journalism profession if given the mandate.

Isiguzo made the promise in a manifesto on Friday in Kano during his campaign tour of the Kano council of the NUJ.

“We shall work towards raising the standards of the profession and giving a pride of place to the journalism profession by making sure we have sound representations where necessary,” he said.

‎He also promised to reposition International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to meet 21st century standards and partner other training institutions to ensure affordability and increase population of students.

Isiguzo, who is also the current Vice President, South East zone of NUJ, stated that his administration would push for Stabilisation Funds (SF) for the media industry in the country.

“We will create synergy between the union and other stakeholders with a view to ensuring that members job will not only be guaranteed, but also embark on consultation and lobby for stabilization funds to media industries to enable them remain operational,” he said.

He said that his administration would also pursue the lingering issue of new media salary structure with vigour ‎to ensure payment of weighing allowance to electronic media journalists across the country.

“We shall explore new mutually benefiting partnerships and linkages with corporate business organizations and institutions. This is to ensure that without going cap in hand, NUJ projects and ventures are supported to raise funds,” he said.

He said that 21st century journalists or professionals must be able to effectively compete with their contemporaries from other developed climes in the area of ICT.

‎Isiguzo also promise to fully activate ICT centers at not just the national secretariat but also at the state council levels through donations of facilities as was done in zone C.

In his remark, Mr. Abass Ibrahim, the Kano state chairman of NUJ, described the aspirant as very intelligent and vibrant with the capacity to lead the union.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegates’ conference is expected to take place in Abeokuta in October.(NAN)

MNT/MTM

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Edited by Tukur Muntari.

Gunmen kill 8 in Nasarawa – Police

Killing

Awayi Kuje

Toto (Nasarawa State) Sept.14, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Nasarawa State on Friday confirmed the killing of eight people by unidentified gunmen in Sofiyo village of Toto Local Government Area of the state.

1. Kennedy Idrisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Toto.

The PPRO said scores sustained various degrees of injuries from the attack.

Idrisu advised inhabitants of the area especially the youths against taking laws in to their hands.

He advised the people to ensure that they reported crisis to the appropriate authorities for necessary action rather than engage in violence.

“It is true that gunmen attacked and killed eight people in Sofiyo community of the locality.

“We have also mobilised our men to the scene of the attack to maintain law and order and to forestall further attacks.

“The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Gwagwalada,” he said.

Thee PPRO said that the police would not relent in its efforts to ensure peace and stability in the state and called on trouble makers in the state to shun their evil acts.

He urged the residents to provide the police vital information that would enable them to arrest the perpetrators and generally curtail criminal activities in the state.

NAN recalls that in May communal clashes erupted between the Egbira and Bassa ethnic groups during which many people were killed and property destroyed. (NAN)

AKW/AZA/EMO

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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Ejike Obeta

Report
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), has released the preliminary report on the Skybird
chartered aircraft which overshot the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the preliminary report was released by the AIB Commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru  in Lagos on Friday.

The report said the aircraft, a Gulfstream G IV, with registration number 5N-BOD,
operating on an instrument Flight Rules (IFR), departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport; Lagos for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to the report, while landing, the aircraft overshot the runway and ended up in the mud, causing delay and flight cancellation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The report stated that the rain on landing was heavier than the advise of slight rain by weather forecast, and that on landing, the aircraft did not slow down as normal.

According to the report, as at that time, the captain deployed the speed brakes manually and applied maximum braking system.

However, the deployment of thrust reverse could not stop the aircraft on the wet and slippery runway.

The report said that the aircraft exited the end of the runway and came to a stop in a mud; at a distance of 71m from the end of Runway 22 stop way.

It also indicated that no injury was sustained by the passengers and the crew on board when the aircraft finally came to a complete stop. (NAN)

ASO/JIE/SOA
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Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Oluwole Sogunle